In any business, you should keeping tabs on your competitors. So, if you’re an attorney, you’ve likely taken a look at some of your local competition and their websites. Sometimes you’ll come across law firm websites that have the small Live Chat window in the corner of the screen, asking to engage you as a visitor.
But is this a legitimate converter of leads and free consultation appointments? Or is it just a spammy trick?
Let’s discuss if live chat actually works for attorney websites, and how it might benefit your firm.
It’s a common practice among attorneys to use platforms like ApexChat, Ngage Live Chat, and more as an attempt to instantly connect with potential clients.
How Live Chat Works
In an oversimplified sense, you subscribe to your choice of live chat applications, add the code to your website, and define your scope of preferred clients. There’s a few options to consider when setting this up. You may want to opt for a system where you answer the chats yourself, if you have the time.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Rank higher on Google and watch your case load & revenues soar.” style=”flat” color=”mulled-wine” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”View Our Attorney Marketing Services” btn_color=”white” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Faginto.com%2Finternet-marketing-services%2Flaw-firms-attorneys%2F%3Futm%3Dblogcta||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]The likelihood though, is that you won’t be able to answer chat requests 24/7, and having a Chat option on your website that isn’t available during non-peak hours will hurt you more than help.
A popular option that many of our own clients use is to have the Chat managed by you and your staff during the day, and managed by the Chat company during those off peak hours.
Additionally, you could have the chat company answer all of your chats, so let’s discuss this option a little deeper.
Once you set up the system on your website, the company you use to provide you with “chat” takes over, asking basic questions and getting the information you need so you can contact the potential client. You then receive an email with the chat log, and can follow up with the potential client as you see fit.
Typically, you can have the chat company ask eliminating questions for you, to help you ensure you’re getting a higher quality lead.
For example, if you are a bankruptcy attorney, you could ask questions pertaining to the visitors debts, their assets, etc., all before having to reach out to schedule your initial consultation.
Does Online Chat Really Work?
Yes! But for law firm websites, it’s more like “hell yes!” Consumers don’t typically browse an attorney website without having a legitimate need. So when they come to your law firm website, they’re in a position where they are looking for answers right at that moment.
The Live Chat option engages them at a time when they need you the most, rather than letting them browse around and potentially leave for a competitor website.
In other words, live chat provides immediate access to a potential clients pain points. When customers use live chat, they’ll try to ensure that your service will perform as advertised be a solution for the pain they are experiencing at that moment.
Think about this – You’ve probably come into the office and looked at a list of calls you need to return and consultations you need to schedule.
If only there were more than one of you to answer general questions, qualify prospects, and set higher converting consultations….. Live chat answers the bell for this common attorney need.
What Constitutes a Higher Converting Lead
Most websites today have contact forms that allow potential clients to provide basic information and request a call-back. Name, email, phone, and maybe a message. We’ve actually covered what make a contact form convert at a higher rate, you can find that here.
But what do you really know about this lead when it comes in? Not much. With the live chat functioning on your website, you’re going to see much more about this prospect, because they’ll be engaged and be answering questions.
Not only does this help you to identify their specific need, it also gives you a way to screen out leads that you shouldn’t waste your time on.
As Gary Vaynerchuck would say, don’t try to convince the unconvincing. And know more information about your leads up front will give you that ability.
Conclusion
We don’t offer Live Chat directly, nor is this a promoted post of some sort. We work with a number of attorney clients that are currently using a variety of services for their live chat, and all of them seem to work pretty well. Whatever you decide to go with, choose one. Before your competitor scoops up all of the business.
Chat with you again, soon. Cheers!
In any business, you should keeping tabs on your competitors. So, if you’re an attorney, you’ve likely taken a look at some of your local competition and their websites. Sometimes you’ll come across law firm websites that have the small Live Chat window in the corner of the screen, asking to engage you as a visitor.
But is this a legitimate converter of leads and free consultation appointments? Or is it just a spammy trick?
Let’s discuss if live chat actually works for attorney websites, and how it might benefit your firm.
It’s a common practice among attorneys to use platforms like ApexChat, Ngage Live Chat, and more as an attempt to instantly connect with potential clients.
How Live Chat Works
In an oversimplified sense, you subscribe to your choice of live chat applications, add the code to your website, and define your scope of preferred clients. There’s a few options to consider when setting this up. You may want to opt for a system where you answer the chats yourself, if you have the time.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Rank higher on Google and watch your case load & revenues soar.” style=”flat” color=”mulled-wine” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”View Our Attorney Marketing Services” btn_color=”white” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Faginto.com%2Finternet-marketing-services%2Flaw-firms-attorneys%2F%3Futm%3Dblogcta||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]The likelihood though, is that you won’t be able to answer chat requests 24/7, and having a Chat option on your website that isn’t available during non-peak hours will hurt you more than help.
A popular option that many of our own clients use is to have the Chat managed by you and your staff during the day, and managed by the Chat company during those off peak hours.
Additionally, you could have the chat company answer all of your chats, so let’s discuss this option a little deeper.
Once you set up the system on your website, the company you use to provide you with “chat” takes over, asking basic questions and getting the information you need so you can contact the potential client. You then receive an email with the chat log, and can follow up with the potential client as you see fit.
Typically, you can have the chat company ask eliminating questions for you, to help you ensure you’re getting a higher quality lead.
For example, if you are a bankruptcy attorney, you could ask questions pertaining to the visitors debts, their assets, etc., all before having to reach out to schedule your initial consultation.
Does Online Chat Really Work?
Yes! But for law firm websites, it’s more like “hell yes!” Consumers don’t typically browse an attorney website without having a legitimate need. So when they come to your law firm website, they’re in a position where they are looking for answers right at that moment.
The Live Chat option engages them at a time when they need you the most, rather than letting them browse around and potentially leave for a competitor website.
In other words, live chat provides immediate access to a potential clients pain points. When customers use live chat, they’ll try to ensure that your service will perform as advertised be a solution for the pain they are experiencing at that moment.
Think about this – You’ve probably come into the office and looked at a list of calls you need to return and consultations you need to schedule.
If only there were more than one of you to answer general questions, qualify prospects, and set higher converting consultations….. Live chat answers the bell for this common attorney need.
What Constitutes a Higher Converting Lead
Most websites today have contact forms that allow potential clients to provide basic information and request a call-back. Name, email, phone, and maybe a message. We’ve actually covered what make a contact form convert at a higher rate, you can find that here.
But what do you really know about this lead when it comes in? Not much. With the live chat functioning on your website, you’re going to see much more about this prospect, because they’ll be engaged and be answering questions.
Not only does this help you to identify their specific need, it also gives you a way to screen out leads that you shouldn’t waste your time on.
As Gary Vaynerchuck would say, don’t try to convince the unconvincing. And know more information about your leads up front will give you that ability.
Conclusion
We don’t offer Live Chat directly, nor is this a promoted post of some sort. We work with a number of attorney clients that are currently using a variety of services for their live chat, and all of them seem to work pretty well. Whatever you decide to go with, choose one. Before your competitor scoops up all of the business.
Chat with you again, soon. Cheers!