Digital Word-of-Mouth: Why Every Injury Lawyer Needs Positive Google Reviews

In today’s digital age, online reputation plays a crucial role in the success of any business, and the field of law is no exception. As potential clients turn to the internet for information and recommendations, positive reviews on platforms like Google have become a powerful form of digital word-of-mouth. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of Google reviews for injury lawyers and explore why cultivating a positive online presence is essential for attracting and retaining clients. So, let’s dive into the world of digital word-of-mouth and uncover the reasons why every injury lawyer should prioritize obtaining positive Google reviews.

What Are Google Reivews?

Google Reviews is a platform that Google manages and can be found in their search engine results and Google Maps products. Your law firm can moderate and reply to Google reviews through your Google My Business Portal. Google reviews are reviews that people with Google accounts can leave on your Google My Business Page and feature a ranking from 1 to 5 Stars, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best service. There is then a text box where they can leave a description of their experience with your business.

Google Reviews Influence Trust and Credibility

The biggest reason that personal injury lawyers need to be mindful of their Google reviews, and try to get more 5-star reviews is because of the impact they can have on trust and credibility. For many potential clients, deciding on a personal injury lawyer is an important and personal decision. They may talk to some trusted family and friends about where to turn, but people are increasingly likely to consult review sites like Google.

In Canada, Google reviews is the review leader for service businesses. Lawyer specific sites like Avvo hasn’t gained much traction in Canada. When potential clients enter the decision phase of which lawyer to choose, they’ll consult your Google reviews. If you have quality and insightful reviews there, that will increase the liklihood that this client will choose you. When you have positive reviews on Google, you are more trustworthy and have credibility that the claims you are making on your website or other marketing tools are legitimate.

Google Reviews Help with Search Engine Optimization

In previous algorithm update releases, Google has said that positive reviews and a total number of reviews over three stars are a signal for ranking a webpage higher than another. For search engine optimization (SEO) experts, we’ve long believed that activity on other Google products helps search engine results page rankings. Based on this basis, Google reviews are incredibly important for injury lawyers. Search engine optimization is incredibly competitive in this industry, and any advantage you can have in SEO is worth pursuing.

How Can Personal Injury Lawyers Get More Google Reviews?

So if Google reviews are essential, how can you get more of them?

First, make it easy. You can get a custom link that you can share with your clients that bring them directly to your Google My Business listing and prompts them to review you. To do this:

1. While logged into the Google account that manages your Google My Business Listing, search for your business by name.
2. When your Google My Business appears click your reviews
3. In the top corner of the pop-up you’ll see a blue button “Get More Reviews” click this button
4. This button will give you the link that you can share with your clients.

Now that you have this link, it’ll be easy for clients to leave you a review.

Second, ask for reviews. Many injury lawyers are surprised by how willing and open clients are to leave reviews of them. However, you have probably noticed how frequently you are prompted to leave a review in your shopping and day-to-day life. Everyone is just getting more used to the review economy and leaving reviews for businesses or service providers who they trust and have helped them.

Other tips you can do to get more reviews:

• Include a post-card in your client release documents asking for a review with your link made as a QR code for them to scan.
• Include signage in your waiting areas or meeting rooms that ask for reviews
• Include it in your email signature. Something like “Proud to average 4.8 Stars on Google, Review Me Here”
• Highlight previous reviews on social media and ask for new reviews in those channels
• If you manage an email list of current and former clients, you can do an email newsletter asking former clients to review you. Be mindful to segment this list if you have any clients who had a negative experience with your law firm.
• Comment on your existing reviews on Google My Business and say thanks. When people see that you personally read them they may be more motivated to leave a review.
• Incentivize reviews. Either internally, but rewarding staff who are able to get more reviews, or to the reviewers themselves. Be mindful not to ask for a specific rating. Maybe every month or quarter you draw for a gift card to a local coffee shop from your reviewers that month.

Start Getting Google Reviews Now

Don’t delay any longer. Begin getting Google reviews for your law firm now. You’ll be surprised how big of an impact Google reviews can have in a client’s path to deciding which injury lawyer to work with. You can use some of these tips to find things that work well for your law firm. You can email me your review success or tips, and I will share them in a future post. The biggest thing is to realize that Google reviews matter for your law firm, and you need to start getting some now.