As a lawyer, you likely understand the importance of marketing your services to attract new clients. While traditional marketing methods such as word-of-mouth referrals, billboards, and TV commercials may have worked in the past, more and more people are turning to the internet to find legal services. This is where Google Ads come in – they can help you reach potential clients who are actively searching for legal services on Google.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to using Google Ads for lawyers. We’ll cover everything from setting up your account to optimizing your campaigns and avoiding common mistakes. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to use Google Ads to attract new clients to your law practice.
Setting up a Google Ads account
Before you can start advertising on Google, you’ll need to create a Google Ads account. Here are the steps to follow:Creating an account
- Go to the Google Ads website and click on “Start Now”.
- Sign in to your Google account, or create one if you don’t have one already.
- Fill out the required information, including your name, email address, and billing information.
Creating a campaign
Once you’ve created your account, it’s time to create your first campaign. Here’s how:- Click on the “Campaigns” tab in your account.
- Click on the blue plus button to create a new campaign.
- Choose your campaign goal, such as driving website traffic or phone calls.
- Choose your campaign type, such as search or display ads.
- Set your budget and bidding strategy.
- Choose your target audience and geographic location.
Choosing keywords
One of the most important aspects of a successful Google Ads campaign is choosing the right keywords. Here are some tips:- Brainstorm a list of relevant keywords that potential clients might use to search for legal services.
- Use the Google Ads Keyword Planner to find additional keyword ideas and estimate search volume.
- Focus on long-tail keywords, which are more specific and have less competition.
- Use negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches.
Creating Ad copy
Now that you’ve set up your campaign and chosen your keywords, it’s time to create your ad copy. Here are some tips for writing effective ad copy:Writing headlines
- Use your keywords in your headline to make it clear what your ad is about.
- Make your headline attention-grabbing and compelling.
- Use numbers or statistics to make your ad more specific.
- Use capital letters for the first letter of each word in your headline.
Crafting ad descriptions
- Use your ad description to provide more information about your legal services.
- Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) in your ad description.
- Include a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage potential clients to take action.
Using ad extensions
Ad extensions are additional features that can be added to your Google Ads to provide more information to potential clients. Here are some useful ad extensions for lawyers:- Location extensions – display your law firm’s address and phone number.
- Call extensions – allow potential clients to call your law firm directly from your ad.
- Sitelink extensions – link to specific pages on your law firm’s website.
- Review extensions – display positive reviews from satisfied clients.
Optimizing campaigns
After you’ve created your campaigns and ad copy, it’s important to monitor and optimize their performance. Here are some tips for optimizing your Google Ads campaigns:Monitoring performance
- Regularly review your campaign performance metrics, such as click-through-rate (CTR), conversion rate, and cost-per-click (CPC).
- Identify underperforming keywords and ad copy and make adjustments.
- Set up conversion tracking to measure the success of your campaigns.
Adjusting bids and budgets
- Increase bids for keywords that are performing well to ensure they continue to show at the top of the search results.
- Decrease bids or pause keywords that are not performing well to save on advertising costs.
- Adjust your daily budget to ensure your campaigns are spending enough to drive results.
Refining keyword targeting
- Regularly review and update your keyword list to ensure you are targeting the right audience.
- Use keyword match types, such as broad match, phrase match, and exact match, to refine your targeting.
- Use negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches.
Best practices for Google Ads
To get the most out of your Google Ads campaigns, it’s important to follow best practices for ad targeting, landing page optimization, and ad copy optimization. Here are some tips:Ad targeting
- Target specific geographic locations to ensure your ads are shown to potential clients in your service area.
- Use audience targeting to reach people who are more likely to be interested in your legal services.
- Schedule your ads to show at the times when potential clients are most likely to be searching for legal services.
Landing page optimization
- Create landing pages that are relevant to your ad copy and targeted keywords.
- Include a clear call-to-action on your landing page.
- Ensure your landing pages load quickly and are mobile-friendly.
Ad copy optimization
- Regularly test different ad copy to identify what works best.
- Use ad copy that speaks directly to your target audience and highlights your USP.
- Use emotional language to connect with potential clients.
Common mistakes to avoid
When using Google Ads for lawyers, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid. Here are a few:Targeting irrelevant keywords
- Avoid using broad match keywords that are not relevant to your legal services.
- Regularly review your keyword list and remove irrelevant keywords.
Poorly written ad copy
- Take the time to craft effective ad copy that highlights your USP and speaks directly to your target audience.
- Regularly test different ad copy to identify what works best.
Not tracking conversions
- Set up conversion tracking to measure the success of your campaigns.
- Use the data to make adjustments to your campaigns to drive better results.
Conclusion
Google Ads can be a powerful tool for lawyers to attract new clients to their law practice. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create effective campaigns that drive results. Remember to regularly monitor and optimize your campaigns to ensure they continue to drive success.FAQs
- Can I advertise for multiple legal services under one campaign?
- How much does it cost to advertise on Google Ads?
- How long does it take to see results from Google Ads?
- Can I advertise for legal services in multiple locations?
- Can I track phone calls generated from my Google Ads campaigns?
- Who can help you with all this?