Law Firm SEO Company Portland, OR
Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Company. Whether you’re an established Portland, OR law firm looking to expand your visibility, or a newer firm aiming to stake your claim in a crowded market, hiring the right law firm SEO company can help you get more prospective clients to your website and increase revenue. Legal SEO is a potent tool for Portland, OR firms to attain top positions on search engines, which is where most people begin their search for legal services.
Over more than two decades, Hexxen has assisted Portland, OR law firms of all sizes achieve their revenue and growth goals with customized law firm SEO services. Whether you’ve been burned (or merely dissatisfied) by a different Portland, OR law firm SEO company, want to outsource spend more time on core business activities, or are just beginning with your firm’s marketing, Hexxen delivers legal SEO strategies that get you the leads that add value to your firm. In this guide, we’ll show you how to select the right Portland, OR law firm SEO partner, what services they should offer, and how Hexxen has become a trusted partner for law firms just like your own.
Talk to a team member today by calling (314) 499-8253.
Table of contents
- What Is Law Firm SEO?
- What Is a Law Firm SEO Company?
- Why SEO Is Important for Portland, OR Law Firms
- Law Firm SEO & Marketing Statistics
- How Outsourcing Your SEO Can Help Your Portland, OR Law Firm
- SEO Services We Offer to Portland, OR Law Firms
- Why Choose Hexxen As Your Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Company?
- Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Resources
- A Proven SEO Agency for Portland, OR Law Firms: Case Studies
- Law Firm SEO Services in Portland, OR, Tailored to Your Industry and Brand
- A Full Fleet of Law Firm Web Design, Marketing, & Development Services in Portland, OR
- Portland, OR Law Firm SEO & Marketing Problems
- “White Hat” and “Black Hat” SEO Strategies for Portland, OR Law Firms
- How to Find the Best SEO Company for Your Portland, OR Law Firm
- Hire a Leading Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Company
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Law Firm SEO Services in Portland, OR
What Is Law Firm SEO?
Law firm SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is is how legal practices boost their online presence to achieve better rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs), primarily on Google. Effective law firm SEO will both boost organic traffic and improve leads and conversions. Key components of Portland, OR law firm SEO include keyword research, on-page optimization, engaging content, backlinks, and technical SEO. The intended effect is for Portland, OR law firms to elevate their visibility, authority, and conversion rate.
What Is a Law Firm SEO Company?
A law firm SEO company helps law firms specifically increase their marketing ROI, grow revenue, and grow the firm. By using a hiring a law firm SEO company to handle their digital marketing efforts, Portland, OR attorneys can focus on their cases rather than trying to get more cases, avoid having to master a whole new discipline in SEO, and be sure they’re not getting caught by common online poor practices like “Black Hat” SEO (which we’ll discuss further).
Why Your Portland, OR Law Firm Needs Legal SEO Services
SEO can enable turn a law firm’s website into a key driver of growth, addressing many challenges that Portland, OR lawyers encounter when trying to boost their online visibility:
- Client Acquisition: Most potential clients initiate their search for legal services online. Expert services from an seasoned law firm SEO company boosts the likelihood of gaining new clients by making sure those potential clients will find you.
- Credibility (With Both Google and Potential Clients): High search rankings give credibility to your firm from the perspective of people who need your services. Potential clients are more likely to trust and interact with firms that rank well, seeing them as authoritative and reputable. Supporting SEO strategies, like online reputation management, also signal to Google that your site is authoritative and trustworthy, causing it to rank your site higher.
- Market Differentiation: The online legal market is crowded, and any law firm aiming to expand needs to be ready to compete. SEO, alongside other services like branding, helps your firm to set itself apart by showcasing what sets your firm apart while enhancing your website and content to rank in SERPs.
- Local Visibility: For law firms, local clientele can be a significant part of the business, making local SEO a vital component of any law firm seeking to stay competitive in their home city or cities. Local SEO brings in people from your city to your office door (or zoom meeting).
- Cost-Effective Marketing: SEO offers more ROI than most other advertising and marketing channels. Unlike other marketing efforts like Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and social media marketing (which still play an important role), once a page is paid for can continue to generate traffic and conversions for years.
- User Experience: Good SEO practices boost the overall user experience on your website. This includes a faster site, responsive design, and seamless navigation, which reflects the professionalism and expertise of your firm and contributes to higher client satisfaction and retention.
- Tracking and Analytics: With sophisticated reporting strategies, SEO facilitates detailed tracking and analytics, providing insights into which tactics and channels provide the most value to your firm. Transparent reporting permits continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving market conditions.
You shouldn’t just believe what we’re saying. The statistics (and other attorneys) all indicate SEO being one of the best marketing channels for ROI for growing Portland, OR law firms.
Law Firm SEO & Marketing Statistics (*Updated for 2024)
Let’s take a look at the numbers to see why Portland, OR law firms should invest in SEO if they wish to get more leads to their website:
- 87% of law firms have a website as part of their marketing efforts (Source: American Bar Association)
- 88% of law firms use a blog for lead generation (Source: American Bar Association)
- Only 25% of law firms continue to market in print (Source: American Bar Association)
- 83% of law firms use a marketing agency instead of keeping things in-house (Source: CallRail)
- 77% of users searching for legal services start their search in search engines (Source: CallRail)
- 51% of law firms say website optimization is one their biggest marketing challenges; 49% say mobile optimization and 37% say social media management (Source: CallRail)
- Law firm SEO generates up to 66% of call conversions for law firms (Source: Ruler Analytics)
- SEO has a conversion rate of over 4%, while other law firm marketing channels have a 2.6% conversion rate (Source: Conversion Benchmark Report for Legal)
- 78% of law firms use paid search, but 82% believe it doesn’t offer much return on investment (Source: CallRail)
- While paid search generates 58% of online visitors to law firms, it only has a 1.8% conversion rate (Source: Ruler Analytics)
- 84% of law firms intend to increase their digital marketing spend (Source: Calibrate)
How Outsourcing Your SEO Benefits Your Portland, OR Law Firm
Outsourcing your SEO gives you the same peace of mind your clients experience when they hire your law firm. For the same reasons Hexxen works with lawyers to write our contracts, you’re likely better off trusting your marketing to an experienced law firm SEO company. Advantages of working with a law firm SEO company in Portland, OR consist of:
- Expertise: Law firm SEO companies employ teams of experts who remain informed with ranking factors and best practices in SEO. Numerous more experienced agencies (like Hexxen) help create and set these trends themselves. You wouldn’t suggest someone representing themselves Pro se based on what they read on legal sites like Nolo; we wouldn’t recommend basing your website optimization strategy off a few Google searches for “SEO for law firms.”
- Time-Saving: Managing SEO in-house can be labor-intensive, diverting focus from core legal or business activities. Outsourcing enables your team to focus on serving your clients.
- Cost-Effective: Hiring a full-time in-house SEO team is a significant investment, as is your time if you choose to handle it yourself. Outsourcing gives you access to professional services without the financial burden associated with hiring more employees.
- Advanced Tools and Technologies: SEO agencies leverage advanced tools and technologies to increase your rankings and report your progress. These tools can be costly for individual firms to purchase and maintain, and don’t take your firm’s specific needs or stage of growth in mind. Law firm SEO companies with their own in-house development team (like Hexxen) can create these tools themselves, customized for your needs, rather than you having to pay way too much for software that has features you don’t want and doesn’t have services you do need.
- Scalability: As your firm grows, your SEO needs change. An experienced law firm SEO agency can readily scale their services to match your firm’s increasing requirements. With Hexxen, we plan out growth phases in advance so your SEO won’t have a lull as you expand.
- Consistent Results: SEO agencies are results-driven. Our SEO services are only as good as the results they offer our clients.
- Avoiding Penalties: Law firm SEO companies are well-versed in ethical SEO practices, so you don’t lose any ranking positions because of poor practices.
Outsourcing your SEO both boosts your rankings in search engines and guarantees that your Portland, OR law firm can keep a competitive edge in a digitally-driven marketplace.
SEO Services We Offer to Portland, OR Law Firms
Backed by over 20 years of experience and a long history of success in the legal marketing sphere, we’ve perfected an array of legal SEO strategies to offer your Portland, OR law firm a competitive edge and foster growth:
- SEO Audit & Website Assessment: Thorough analysis of your current website and SEO to determine what’s working, what doesn’t, and what additional legal SEO strategies need to be applied.
- Keyword Strategy: Pinpointing and targeting the best keywords for your legal services, and developing a comprehensive keyword strategy that we use cohesively with content, blog posts, media production, and more.
- Competitor Analysis: Assessing competitors to create strategies that outperform them. By merging, emulating, and improving on several of the top ranking firms, we’ll turn your site into a legal SEO powerhouse that outranks all of them.
- Local SEO: Utilizing local geo targeting and other strategies to boost visibility in your city, drawing in clients in your geographic area and securing your place in the coveted Google “Map Pack.”
- Content Writing: Creating high-quality, useful content that engages prospective clients and is optimized to rank well in SERPs using Google’s people-first content guidelines.
- Link Building: Building high-quality external links to your site (backlinks) in legal directories, news organizations, guest blogs, and other relevant platforms to enhance your site’s credibility and ranking.
- On-Page SEO: SEO enhances online visibility, strengthens credibility, and drives more traffic to your website, culminating in higher client acquisition.
- Landing Page Conversion: Creating and enhancing landing pages for specialized campaigns or case types to efficiently convert visitors into clients.
- Technical SEO: Addressing development ranking factors like site speed, responsive design, and crawlability so your site isn’t penalized that hurt its ranking performance.
- Social Media Management: To strengthen SEO efforts, we manage social media profiles to interact with potential clients, elevate your online presence, and raise brand awareness.
- Google Business Profile (GBP) Optimization: Enhancing your Google Business Profile for better visibility in maps and geographical searches.
- Google Ads Management: Overseeing Google Ads to attract more targeting traffic. While not part of organic search, Google Ads aid in driving traffic for specific campaigns or while awaiting an increase in organic rankings.
- Advanced Reporting: Offering detailed reports to measure what’s working and what isn’t. You’ll have access to both live and monthly reporting of what campaigns offer the most ROI.
- Media Production: Developing engaging multimedia content such as videos and podcasts to enhance your digital marketing efforts and create a cohesive brand that potential clients associate with.
- Web Design & Development: Building responsive, user-friendly websites that elevate UI/UX and reinforce SEO efforts.
With Hexxen, together with your law firm SEO services, all of your web design, development, and digital marketing needs will be in one place, with a company whose people and expertise you can trust.
Why Choose Hexxen As Your Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Company?
What makes you want to be one of the countless law firms in Portland, OR that trusts Hexxen to help meet their business goals with proven legal web design and SEO services?
- Proven Results: Hexxen has a history of delivering measurable improvements in search rankings and client acquisition for law firms.
- Experience with Struggling Websites: Most of our clients come to us after they’ve had bad experiences with other law firm web design and marketing companies. We excel in turning around poorly optimized websites into high-ranking, client-attracting assets. We’ve heard horror stories about other law firm SEO companies, and work to put your mind at ease from the start.
- Experienced Legal Content Writers: Our content team includes writers with vast experience in the legal industry and writing accurate content that ranks well. Everything on your site will be correct and authoritative, with minimal or zero input or work on your end.
- Comprehensive Service Offerings: Our services range from blog management to custom software development. You won’t have to go back and forth with multiple agencies for your online needs.
- Client-Focused Approach: We focus on client satisfaction with a dedicated team. The same people you’ll meet in introductory calls will be the same working on your site, and the phone will be answered by someone whose name you know.
- Transparency and Advanced Reporting: We provide clear, detailed reports on your SEO performance and progress. We’ll dedicate your marketing budget based on what’s working for your specific law firm, not a pre-packaged plan.
Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Resources
Want to learn more about legal SEO strategies and services in Portland, OR? Check out our YouTube channel. Take a look at a couple older (yet valuable) videos:
More Portland, OR Attorney SEO Resources
- State of SEO Report 2025
- 10 Law Firm Marketing Tactics For Business Building In 2024
- 12 Creative Lead Magnet Ideas For Law Firms
- Video Marketing For Law Firms: 8 Tactics For Lead Gen Success
- 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Use ChatGPT for Legal Website Content
- 12 Tactics For Law Firm Content Marketing Success
- How To Achieve 7-Figures With Your Law Firm Marketing Website
- How To Get Law Firm Leads By Refreshing Your Content
- Content Marketing For Law Firms: Expand Your Reach & Increase Your Search Rankings
- Website Organization Best Practices For Law Firms
- Local SEO For Law Firms: Get More Local Clients
A Proven SEO Agency for Portland, OR Law Firms: Case Studies
Hexxen has become known as a trusted partner for Portland, OR law firms seeking to boost their online presence and bring in more clients. Our approach combines experience in the legal industry with innovative strategies to deliver measurable results. Here are just a couple of our clients who have seen meaningful revenue and growth after working with us.
Combs Waterkotte’s Legal Marketing, SEO, & Web Design Case Study
Hexxen successfully transformed Combs Waterkotte’s online presence, significantly boosting their search engine rankings and generating a 70% increase in organic traffic. By executing a comprehensive SEO strategy, including keyword optimization, local SEO, and high-quality content creation, Hexxen improved the firm’s visibility in a market often dominated by larger, higher-profile, and nationally recognized defense attorneys. The results included more leads and higher engagement rates. With Hexxen’s help, Combs Waterkotte went from a locally-based St. Louis law firm to a prominent criminal defense firm whose service area includes the entire state of Missouri.
Burger Law’s Legal Marketing, SEO, & Web Design Case Study
Hexxen carried out a multi-faceted SEO campaign for Burger Law, focusing on enhancing site structure, enhancing local SEO, and developing high-quality, useful content. These efforts resulted in tripled their site visits from organic search and led to a significant rise in lead generation. Enhancements included a new website design with optimized user experience, targeted keyword optimization, and effective branding, including the use of color and font choices to reflect the firm’s identity. This holistic approach established Burger Law as a leading personal injury firm in Missouri and Illinois.
Law Firm SEO Services in Portland, OR, Customized for Your Industry and Brand
Hexxen offers specialized SEO services in Portland, OR designed to meet the needs of your specific legal practice areas. Our approach guarantees that legal SEO services are optimized for you, and not just what works for other Portland, OR law firms. Industries in Portland, OR we commonly work with include:
- SEO Services for Personal Injury Law
- SEO Services for Criminal Defense
- SEO Services for Divorce / Family Law
- SEO Services for Employment / Labor Law
- SEO Services for Bankruptcy / Debt Law
- SEO Services for Corporate / Business Law
- SEO Services for Immigration Law
- SEO Services for Disability / Social Security Law
- SEO Services for Intellectual Property Law
- SEO Services for Class Action Lawsuits
- SEO Services for Consumer Rights Law
- SEO Services for Civil / Human Rights Law
- SEO Services for Insurance Law
- SEO Services for Estate / Probate Law
Whatever your industry and whatever your unique firm’s needs, we’ll develop the roadmap to get your Portland, OR law firm from where it is to where you want to go.
A Comprehensive Suite of Law Firm Web Design, Marketing, & Development Services in Portland, OR
We offer a full range of website services, which complement and go hand-in-hand with your Portland, OR law firm SEO efforts.
Legal Web Design
Our team creates responsive, user-friendly websites custom-made for law firms. Each design focuses on the user experience, making it straightforward for potential clients to navigate and find information. We ensure your site reflects your firm’s brand and professionalism, fostering confidence in prospective clients. Features such as mobile optimization, fast load times, and intuitive layouts are designed to facilitate high conversion rates, boosting your firm’s digital presence and effectiveness. In addition, our designs are built to scale with your firm’s growth, preparing you for long-term success.
Legal Branding
Effective branding distinguishes your Portland, OR law firm apart in a competitive market. Hexxen builds strong, consistent branding that resonates with your target audience. We design compelling logos, brand messages, and visual identities that embody your firm’s values and specialties. This cohesive branding cultivates trust and brand awareness, making your firm the go-to choice for legal services in your area.
Legal Marketing
Our comprehensive digital marketing strategies are designed to boost your Portland, OR law firm’s visibility and bring in potential clients. We employ content marketing to create informative and engaging articles, blogs, and videos that position your firm as an authority in your practice areas. Social media management keeps your firm remains engaged with the community, while targeted PPC campaigns bring immediate traffic. These marketing efforts work together to elevate your firm’s online presence and client acquisition.
Legal Web Development
Hexxen offers full-stack development services tailored to the needs of Portland, OR law firms. We build custom applications that simplify client interactions, integrate APIs for enhanced functionality, and offer software solutions that increase operational efficiency. Our development services guarantee your website is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional and secure, aiding your firm’s growth and adaptability in the digital age.
Portland, OR Law Firm SEO & Marketing Problems
Optimization
Lawyer marketing problems related to SEO.
- Poor quality website / usability issues
- Missing conversion sections on website
- Thin or poor quality content
- Bad representation of firm online
- Inadequate URL structure (not SEO-friendly)
- Bad coverage of practice areas
- Lack of geographical service areas listed
- No ROI or search position tracking
Marketing
Lawyer marketing problems related to marketing.
- Website not linked to citations
- Insufficient profiles
- Unreliable business data online
- Inaccurate data listed
- No trusted backlinks / lack of inbound links
- Negative reviews or no reviews
- Lack of diversification of inbound links
- Poorly optimized Google Ads campaigns (wasted spend)
“White Hat” and “Black Hat” SEO Tactics for Portland, OR Law Firms
We don’t see the old white and black hat Western heroes and villains on TV anymore. Likewise, easy and short-term SEO techniques such as poor content or content farms have become a thing of the past. Google has improved significantly at identifying which law firm sites are doing things the right way (informational, useful content) and which are not (trying to “trick” Google into better SERP positions).
White Hat Law Firm SEO Strategies
“White hat” SEO strategies are principled and align with search engine guidelines, emphasizing providing real value to users and securing sustained success.
- Quality Content Creation: Developing high-quality, well-researched, informative, and engaging content that addresses the specific needs and interests of users. This builds credibility and authority.
- Proper Keyword Research and Optimization: Low-budget SEO plans often provide “clickbait” content. If you’re a personal injury attorney, there’s no reason to have a blog on “Is It Legal to Own a Pet Coyote?” However, less effective SEO strategies use sensationalist content to drive traffic that 1. Google can penalize you for, and 2. Makes your reports to look a little better without actually improving your bottom line. Ethical keyword usage draws clients you actually want and avoids penalties from Google.
- On-Page SEO: Fine-tuning meta tags, headers, and images to enhance search engine rankings. This helps search engines understand the purpose of your content.
- Link Building: Gaining backlinks from trustworthy, authoritative websites through quality content, relationships, and legal website. Google interprets external links as “votes” that indicate your site is valuable and useful to people who need your services. Good SEO means building relationships with other reputable sites and acquiring links naturally, rather than buying links or using deceptive practices.
- Local SEO: Enhancing your firm’s presence in local search results through business profiles, Google My Business optimization, and location-specific content.
- Technical SEO: Ensuring your website is well-developed with proper site structure, fast load times, and mobile optimization. This renders your site easier to access to both users and search engines.
- User Experience (UX): Developing a user-friendly website that is easy to navigate and provides a positive experience. This prompts visitors to stay longer and interact more with your content.
These strategies are considered honest because they focus on the user’s needs, align with search engine guidelines, and aim for long-term success rather than short-term gains.
Black Hat Law Firm SEO Strategies
“Black hat” SEO strategies are dishonest and contravene search engine guidelines. They may yield short-term gains but can cause low rankings or even a manual ban of your site in search engines. While many of these strategies persist because they were effective 20 or 25 years ago, any law firm SEO company in Portland, OR that continues to use them is either not staying up-to-date with SEO best practices or playing games with your investment, or both.
- Keyword Stuffing: Filling content with keywords beyond the point of natural language, making it hard to read and reducing user experience.
- Cloaking: Presenting different content to search engines than what is visible to users, tricking both parties and breaching search engine policies.
- Link Farms: Building backlinks (and paying for them) from an offshore agency through unrelated websites, which are often detected and penalized by search engines.
- Hidden Text and Links: Employing text or links that users can’t see (e.g., same color as the background or tiny font) to influence search rankings.
- Duplicate Content: Duplicating content from other websites without adding value, which can cause penalties for plagiarism and lower search rankings.
- Doorway Pages: Building low-quality pages optimized for specific keywords that redirect users to another site without providing valuable content.
- Comment Spam: Posting irrelevant comments with links back to your site on blogs and forums, which search engines see as spammy.
- Article Spinning: Utilizing software to rewrite articles in an attempt to create “unique” content, often producing low-quality, unreadable text that is not useful or reasonable.
We don’t take shortcuts or rely on quick, bandaid fixes that make graphs look pretty for a while. Hexxen’s legal SEO services for Portland, OR law firms are sustainable and make sure you get sustainable positions in SERPs because your site and your law firm actually deserve to get ranked among the top spots. Choosing a law firm SEO company that uses “white hat” strategies (like Hexxen) guarantees that your Portland, OR law firm’s SEO efforts are built to last and aligned with search engine guidelines.
How to Find the Best SEO Company for Your Portland, OR Law Firm
Your SEO will only be effective if you work with a law firm SEO agency that’s skilled, transparent, and actually knows what they’re doing. Here’s how to find a law firm SEO company that’s worth the money (like Hexxen):
Key Considerations:
- Experience and Expertise: Choose an SEO company that has vast experience specifically in attorney marketing. The best law firm SEO company will understand the specific challenges and opportunities within the legal industry, allowing them to develop strategies tailored to your needs.
- Customized Strategies: Make sure the SEO company offers personalized plans. The best law firm SEO companies will conduct thorough research to identify your firm’s unique requirements and create a strategy that targets your specific practice areas and goals.
- Transparent Reporting: Choose a firm that offers clear, detailed reports on rankings, traffic, and online visibility. The best law firm SEO company will offer regular updates and comprehensive analytics, helping you track progress.
- Client Testimonials and Case Studies: Check for positive feedback and successful case studies from other law firms. A strong track record is a strong indicator that the company can produce results.
Tips and Advice:
- Ask for References: Check their reviews and talk to previous clients of the law firm SEO company to obtain insights into their experience and results. The best law firm SEO companies will be happy to provide references.
- Evaluate Communication: Evaluate how well the company communicates and grasps your firm’s objectives. Are they addressing your specific pain points? Are they structured and do they respond to communications in a timely manner? As you may be working with this company for years, effective communication is vital for sustained success with the best law firm SEO company.
- Review Their Website: A professionally optimized, professional website is a solid indicator that the company practices what it preaches. The best law firm SEO company will have an impressive online presence that performs well and converts.
- Check for White Hat Practices: Make sure the company uses ethical SEO methods. You can examine their own site or the sites of their clients to see if they actually believe in what they’re selling.
Hire a Leading Portland, OR Law Firm SEO Company
Hiring the best Portland, OR law firm SEO company is essential for enhancing your firm’s online presence and bringing in more clients. Hexxen offers specialized SEO services designed to the unique needs of Portland, OR law firms, ensuring a comprehensive approach to digital marketing. With a proven track record of success, transparent reporting, and a focus on “white hat” SEO practices, Hexxen is focused to promoting growth and obtaining top search engine rankings for your firm.
By working with Hexxen, you can dedicate yourself to delivering exceptional legal services in Portland, OR while we elevate your online visibility and conversion rates.
Fill out our online form or call us at (314) 499-8253 to learn how we can help your Portland, OR law firm achieve higher revenue and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Law Firm SEO Services in Portland, OR
What is Law Firm SEO?
Law Firm SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comprises optimizing a law firm’s website to boost visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), such as Google. This process consists of several key elements:
Keyword Research: Identifying the terms potential clients use when searching for legal services and weaving those keywords naturally into your website content.
- Example: A personal injury lawyer might focus on keywords like “car accident lawyer” or “personal injury attorney near me.”
- Best Practice: Periodically update your keyword strategy to adapt to changes in search trends and user behavior.
On-Page SEO: This entails optimizing meta tags, headers, and content on your website to make sure search engines can easily interpret and rank your pages.
- Example: Integrating relevant keywords in your meta descriptions and verifying your titles are concise and descriptive.
Off-Page SEO: Building high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites to improve your site’s credibility.
- Example: Writing guest posts on legal websites or being featured in industry publications.
Technical SEO: Making sure your website is technically sound, with fast load times, mobile optimization, and secure HTTPS protocols.
Common Mistake: Neglecting mobile optimization, which can significantly harm your rankings since most users search on mobile devices.
Quick Tip: Periodically audit your site for SEO performance to pinpoint areas for improvement. Tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush can deliver valuable insights.
Why is SEO important for law firms?
SEO is crucial for law firms because it significantly influences how readily potential clients can find you online. Here’s why:
Client Acquisition: The vast majority of people seeking legal advice start their search online. High-ranking websites draw in the lion’s share of traffic.
- Example: If your law firm ranks on the first page of Google for “divorce lawyer in Portland,” you’re far more likely to attract inquiries than if you’re on page two or beyond.
Building Credibility and Trust: High search rankings can help establish your firm as a credible and trustworthy authority in your practice area.
Cost-Effective Marketing: Different from PPC campaigns, where you pay for each click, SEO offers long-term value as your optimized pages consistently attract traffic.
Common Mistake: Ignoring local SEO, which is vital for law firms targeting clients in specific geographic areas.
Quick Tip: Don’t rely solely on SEO. A well-rounded marketing strategy should also include PPC, social media, and content marketing to engage a broader audience.
How long does it take to see results from law firm SEO services?
SEO is a sustained strategy, and results typically take three to six months to become noticeable, but several factors can impact this timeline:
Website History: If your website has been live for years but has little optimization, improvements might take longer as you focus on building authority.
- Example: A new law firm might see more immediate results by targeting less competitive keywords initially.
- Best Practice: Establish realistic expectations and emphasize steady, incremental progress rather than quick wins.
Competition: In fiercely competitive markets, like personal injury law, it might take longer to rank for primary keywords.
Common Mistake: Being impatient and altering approaches too frequently, which can disrupt SEO momentum.
SEO Efforts: Being consistent is essential. Regularly publishing high-quality content, building backlinks, and optimizing your site will produce better results over time.
Quick Tip: Use Google Search Console to monitor your progress. Look for steady improvements in keyword rankings and organic traffic as signs of success.
What are “white hat” legal SEO strategies?
“White hat” SEO strategies are honest and comply with search engine guidelines to boost rankings while providing genuine value to users. These include:
High-Quality Content Creation: Creating well-researched, informative content that meets the needs and questions of your target audience.
- Example: Crafting blog posts on common legal issues, such as “What to Do After a Car Accident.”
Proper Keyword Use: Weaving keywords organically into your content without excessive repetition.
- Best Practice: Concentrate on keyword clusters that cover related terms, such as “divorce lawyer” and “family law attorney.”
User Experience (UX): Developing a website that is user-friendly and provides a positive experience for visitors, which can lower bounce rates and boost conversions.
Common Mistake: Overlooking technical SEO aspects like site speed, which are essential for both user experience and rankings.
Quick Tip: Always keep your content updated. Stale information can harm your credibility and rankings.
Can I do SEO for my law firm myself?
While it’s doable to do SEO yourself, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons, particularly considering the complexity and time investment involved.
Pros of DIY SEO:
- Cost Savings: You won’t have to pay an agency, which can be attractive for small firms.
- Control: You have direct control over the strategies implemented.
Cons of DIY SEO:
- Time-Consuming: SEO requires ongoing effort, from keyword research to content creation and technical optimization.
- Learning Curve: SEO is intricate and continuously changing. Staying updated with the latest best practices can be challenging.
- Risk of Mistakes: Missteps like keyword stuffing or poor backlink practices can result in penalties from search engines.
Best Practice: If you opt to do SEO yourself, begin with the basics—optimize your website structure, ensure it’s mobile-friendly, and create content that meets your clients’ needs.
Common Mistake: Concentrating solely on keywords and overlooking other aspects like user experience, mobile optimization, and technical SEO.
Quick Tip: Explore a hybrid approach. Begin with basic DIY SEO to get your site in shape, then bring in a professional agency to elevate it further.
How do I choose the best law firm SEO company?
Choosing the right SEO company can significantly impact your online marketing efforts. Here are important aspects to consider:
Experience in the Legal Industry: Seek out a company that has a proven track record with law firms. They should grasp the unique challenges and regulations of legal marketing.
- Example: Ask for case studies or client testimonials from other law firms they’ve worked with.
Customized Strategies: Be cautious of companies that offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Your SEO strategy should be designed to your firm’s specific goals and practice areas.
- Best Practice: Ask for a detailed proposal that details the specific steps the company will take to improve your SEO.
Transparent Reporting: Verify the company provides regular, detailed reports on your SEO performance. This transparency helps you understand what’s working and where adjustments are needed.
Common Mistake: Getting lured by guarantees of “immediate” or “number one” rankings—SEO is a long-term game.
Quick Tip: Before signing a contract, request a trial period or a smaller initial project to evaluate the company’s performance and communication style.
How much does law firm SEO cost?
The cost of law firm SEO fluctuates depending on several factors, including the scope of services, the competitiveness of your market, and the level of expertise required.
Typical Price Range: SEO services for law firms can span from $1,000 to $30,000+ per month, depending on the difficulty and goals.
- Example: A firm in need of basic local SEO might pay less, while a firm targeting highly competitive keywords in a large city will most likely pay more.
What Influences Cost:
- Scope of Services: Full-service SEO, encompassing content creation, link building, and technical optimization, will require a higher investment than just keyword optimization.
- Market Competitiveness: More competitive markets demand more resources and effort to achieve top rankings.
Common Mistake: Going with the cheapest option, which often leads to subpar work and potentially harmful “black hat” practices.
Quick Tip: Consider SEO as an investment rather than a cost. The return on investment from increased client acquisition can far outweigh the initial expenditure.
Will SEO guarantee top rankings on search engines?
No SEO company can guarantee top rankings on search engines, and beware of those that do. SEO is influenced by many factors, including:
Search Engine Algorithms: These are constantly changing, and what works today might not work tomorrow.
- Example: Google’s core updates can significantly affect rankings, even for well-optimized sites.
Competition: If competitors are also investing heavily in SEO, maintaining top rankings can be difficult.
Best Practice: Prioritize long-term strategies like content quality, user experience, and ethical link building rather than quick fixes.
Common Mistake: Hoping for immediate results or guaranteed rankings. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint.
Quick Tip: Focus on consistent, gradual improvement in rankings rather than sudden jumps, which can be unstable.
What is the difference between SEO and Digital Marketing for Law Firms?
SEO is the practice of attracting people to your website, while digital marketing encompasses seeking out those who need your services. Here’s how they differ:
SEO: Concentrates specifically on optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results.
- Example: SEO activities encompass keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.
Digital Marketing: A broader field that includes various online strategies beyond SEO, such as:
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Managing ads on search engines or social media platforms to drive immediate traffic.
- Social Media Marketing: Interacting with potential clients on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to create brand awareness and trust.
- Email Marketing: Distributing targeted email campaigns to foster leads and maintain client relationships.
Best Practice: Combine SEO with other digital marketing tactics for a comprehensive approach. For example, use PPC to drive immediate traffic while your SEO strategy develops over time.
Common Mistake: Treating SEO as a standalone effort without reinforcing it with other digital marketing channels.
Quick Tip: Regularly assess the performance of each digital marketing channel to assign resources effectively and optimize ROI.