When Searching Web for a Lawyer, Consumers Most Want to See Credentials and Experience, Survey Says
Bells, whistles, advertisements and search engine optimization might help get a lawyer’s website noticed, but once there, 68 percent of would-be clients need details about his or her credentials and experience, according to a recent survey.
And they’re also looking for pertinent, useful information. Of the 1,000 Americans surveyed by online marketing specialists WebVisible and Synovate eNation, 58 percent also said they consider personal referrals or recommendations through their own networking, and 52 percent want a lawyer’s online pitch to include information about legal procedures and answers to common questions, according to a WebVisible press release (PDF) about the survey.
Respondents were asked: “If you were to use the Internet to look for an attorney or legal services, what would help you make a decision?”
Those findings are in sync with a recent survey by the ABA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services that also found that many consumers look to trusted sources—such as family and friends—to find a lawyer. That survey asked: “If you needed a lawyer for a personal legal matter, how likely would you be to use the following resources to find one?”
Nearly half of those who responded to that survey were likely or somewhat so to search on websites where consumers can post questions for lawyers to answer.
The WebVisible survey found that 30 percent of respondents want the lawyer to be in a variety of directory listings. Getting more granular: About a quarter of all retirees like a video profile of the lawyer or firm; and younger respondents are looking for discounts.
