We all know that we can’t make everybody happy, and that’s fine. What isn’t fine, however, is when someone who we didn’t make happy decides to go online and tell the world about that. When that happens, your entire reputation could get destroyed because, with the popularity of social media, information can go viral and literally spread around the globe in a matter of minutes. Luckily, online reputation management techniques exist.
Law firms should be particularly concerned about their online reputation, because they always make people unhappy. If they lose the case, their client will tell the world that they weren’t able to get the help they needed. If they win the case, the opposing side will blame the law firm for that. Hence, they must be fully committed to taking proactive steps to protect their reputation. Below are four key ways in which they can achieve that.
1. Owning Their Own Domain
Firstly, the law firm should purchase the domain that has their name in it, thereby taking control over their online presence. This also means that people who search for a business by typing its name in the URL box will instantly be directed to the appropriate website. Registering a domain must be a first priority, not in the least because very few remain available.
2. Developing a Good Looking Website
Next, people expect websites to look professional and to be intuitive and user friendly. They should be able to quickly and easily find all the information they need, not in the least because it means they don’t have to search for it elsewhere. The site should also regularly be updated and it should be seen as a direct reflection of the law firm.
3. Setting up Google Alerts
It is vital that the law firm knows what is being said about them. By setting up Google Alerts for their name, they will instantly receive an email whenever someone says something about them, be that positive or negative. Should something negative be said, damage limitation actions can be taken straight away.
4. Publishing a Blog
Last but not least, law firms should regularly publish relevant blogs. These should be informative and show potential clients that they are true experts in their field. The blog should be written in a way that the intended audience can understand it. This means that the legal jargon will have to be left at home most of the time. Comments should also be switched on, so that people do not have the need to go elsewhere should they have complaints.
An online reputation is one of a law firm’s most valuable assets. If they do not have a good name for themselves online, they are unlikely to ever attract new clients. This means that they must focus on what is being said about them online and that they immediately address any negative things. The best way to do this is by hiring a professional reputation management agency.