Law firms recognize the importance of utilizing Google Ads to attract potential clients. They understand that ads dominate the search engine results pages (SERPs) and that combining paid traffic with a robust law firm SEO strategy can yield significant results. However, missteps in campaign management can lead to inconsistent and suboptimal outcomes. To help you take your advertising to the next level, we will discuss common errors and critical optimization opportunities for Google Ads for lawyers
Do Google Ads Work for Lawyers?
Google Ads can indeed benefit law firms, but beginners may find it challenging and costly to navigate. The legal industry is notorious for having expensive pay-per-click (PPC) keywords, with “lawyer” being one of the most costly. Effectively setting up Google Ads for lawyers is essential to avoid wasting money on irrelevant audiences.
To achieve a high return on investment (ROI), extensive experimentation and continuous skill development are necessary. While Google provides free resources to get started, partnering with a specialist often offers the best chance of success.
Understanding the Costs of Google Ads for Lawyers
Google Ads employs various metrics to measure the success of your campaigns, including cost per click (CPC), cost per mille (CPM), and cost per acquisition (CPA). CPC represents the amount paid when someone clicks on your ad, while CPM indicates the cost per 1,000 impressions. CPA calculates the average cost to convert a client by dividing CPA by conversions or actions taken.
Choosing Campaign Types
Before diving into campaign setup, it’s crucial to determine the campaign type that aligns with your goals. Do you aim to rank for specific keywords or showcase ads on particular websites or mobile devices? Google Ads offers two main campaign types: search campaigns and display network campaigns. Each can be set up in different ways depending on your objectives. Display campaigns are ideal for promoting content, while search campaigns excel at targeting specific keywords or phrases.
Building a Keyword List
Constructing a comprehensive keyword list requires careful consideration. Keyword expansion involves adding synonyms and variations of your main keywords to increase relevance. For example, if you advertise as a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey, it’s wise to include variations like “personal injury attorney New Jersey.” This approach allows Google Ads to display relevant ads to users considering different types of legal assistance. Additionally, using negative keywords or phrase match instead of broad match can enhance targeting precision and avoid irrelevant clicks.
Creating and Testing Ad Copy
Crafting compelling ad copy is crucial in attracting visitors to your website. Your goal is to provide a clear and concise description of your law practice while incorporating relevant keywords. It’s important to adhere to Google’s rules, which permit only two main sections—one headline and one body text section. Writing ad copy for lawyers can be challenging due to the technical terminology involved. However, considering the keywords potential clients would search for and strategically incorporating them throughout the body text section can improve ad performance.
Utilizing Single Keyword Ad Groups
Single Keyword Ad Groups (SKAGs) are highly effective for important keywords. By focusing on one keyword per ad group, you can create highly targeted ads to increase conversion rates and ad quality scores. SKAGs allow you to set up ads to appear for queries that match your single keyword in broad, phrase, or exact match formats. Broad match captures keyword variations, while phrase match targets specific search phrases. Exact match optimizes campaigns based on highly specific keywords.
Using Negative Keywords for ROI Boost
Employing negative keywords ensures that your ads appear only for relevant searches, preventing wasted ad spend. Negative keywords are particularly useful for long-tail keywords, enabling you to specify search terms you don’t want to include in your campaign. This approach helps avoid irrelevant searches and maximizes the budget for more profitable and relevant queries.
Implementing Dynamic Keyword Insertion (DKI) in Ad Copy
Dynamic Keyword Insertion (DKI) allows advertisers to display ads based on specific keywords entered by users. It dynamically changes the ad text to align with the search query. For example, if someone searches for “New York City lawyer,” your ad will include those exact terms. DKI enables you to create highly targeted ads without manual customization for each keyword, resulting in higher click-through rates, lower costs per click, and increased conversions.
Leveraging Remarketing Lists for Search Ads (RLSA)
Remarketing Lists for Search Ads (RLSA) target individuals who have previously visited your website and may still be interested in your services. By creating multiple lists and targeting them with ads on Google, you can engage with potential clients who have already shown interest in your offerings. It’s advisable to start with one list and gradually expand as you become more comfortable with RLSA.
Monitoring Conversion Rates
Regularly monitoring your Google Ads performance is essential for evaluating campaign effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. Understanding metrics such as conversion rates, particularly for new leads, allows you to gauge the success of your ads. By monitoring the performance of specific keywords, you can make informed decisions about whether to optimize or revise them. Google Ads offers a range of metrics to track campaign effectiveness, providing valuable insights for continuous optimization.
Engaging Professional Campaign Management
For busy attorneys, dedicating time to master the intricacies of Google Ads may not be feasible. Entrusting your Google Ads marketing strategy to professionals can yield better results while allowing you to focus on serving your clients and winning cases. Alternatively, if the diminishing returns of pay-per-click campaigns prompt a desire for a more sustainable approach, SEO and content marketing may offer viable alternatives for driving phone calls from potential clients.
In conclusion, optimizing Google Ads campaigns is vital for law firms seeking to attract clients effectively. By understanding the costs, choosing the right campaign types, building a comprehensive keyword list, crafting compelling ad copy, utilizing single keyword ad groups, implementing negative keywords, incorporating dynamic keyword insertion, leveraging remarketing lists, monitoring conversion rates, and considering professional campaign management, law firms can maximize their ROI and establish a strong online presence.