How Google Local Services Ads Can Help Attorneys Grow Their Business

Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) are a powerful tool for attorneys looking to increase their visibility and reach potential clients in their local area. These ads appear at the top of Google search results when users search for legal services, making them highly visible and effective at driving traffic to your website. Google Local Service Ads are best used as a supplement to your other online marketing and advertising campaigns.

In addition to LSAs, attorneys can also consider other online marketing strategies like SEO, PPC, and social media marketing to reach potential clients. A comprehensive online marketing strategy that includes multiple channels can help attorneys to reach a wider audience, increase their visibility, and generate more leads.

Having an LSA ad on the top of the search result page, a Pay Per Click Ad below it, and being ranked in the organic listings would be the most effective way to turn searchers into paying clients.

On this page, I go into how to set up LSAs and the benefits of using LSAs for your law firm.

1. What Are Google Local Service Ads?

Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) are an advertising format that is specifically designed for local businesses, such as law firms, to connect with potential clients who are searching for their services on Google. Unlike traditional search ads, which are based on keywords and can be targeted nationally or internationally, LSAs are only available to businesses that provide services in specific local markets.

LSA's are displayed at the very top of Google search results

LSAs are displayed prominently at the very top of Google search results, above even the standard paid search ads. They are designed to be eye-catching and provide key information about the law firm to potential clients, such as the law firm's location, hours of operation, and ratings and reviews.

Google Guaranteed badge

In addition, LSAs include a "Google Guaranteed" badge, which is a trust signal to potential clients that the law firm has been vetted by Google and meets certain standards of quality and reliability. This badge can help law firms stand out from their competitors and give potential clients added confidence in their services.

Easy to call your law firm

One of the key advantages of LSAs for law firms is that potential clients can easily call or message the law firm directly from the ad, without having to visit the law firm's website or navigate through a complex contact form. This streamlined process can help law firms capture leads more efficiently and effectively.

Pay Per Lead

Another advantage of LSAs is that law firms can choose to pay per lead, rather than per click. This means that law firms only pay when a potential client contacts them directly through the ad. This can be a cost-effective way for law firms to acquire new clients, as they are only paying for leads that have a higher likelihood of converting into paying clients.

In summary, Google Local Service Ads are an advertising format designed specifically for local businesses, including law firms, to connect with potential clients in specific local markets. They are prominently displayed at the top of Google search results, provide key information about the law firm, and allow potential clients to contact the law firm directly with a streamlined process. By using LSAs, law firms can acquire new clients more efficiently and cost-effectively.

2. Get started with Google Local Service Ads

Creating Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) for your law firm is a simple process that requires only a few steps. To get started, you'll need to create a Google My Business account, which will allow you to manage your law firm's online presence on Google. If you already have a Google My Business account, you can skip this step and move on to creating your LSA campaign.

Once you have a Google My Business account, you can set up your LSA campaign by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Local Services Ads page on Google Ads.

  2. Click on "Get started" and select "Create an account."

  3. Choose your service area by selecting the zip codes or cities where you offer your services.

  4. Select the legal services you want to advertise. LSAs allow you to choose specific services that your law firm offers, such as personal injury, criminal defense, or family law.

  5. Set your budget and bid per lead. One of the unique features of LSAs is that you can choose to pay per lead, rather than per click. This means that you only pay when a potential client contacts you directly through the ad. You can set your maximum bid per lead and your daily budget, which will determine how many leads you receive each day.

  6. Write your ad. LSAs allow you to include key information about your law firm, such as your location, hours of operation, and ratings and reviews. You can also choose from a selection of pre-written ad templates or create your own ad copy.

  7. Verify your business. Google will verify your law firm's information before your LSA can start running. You will need to provide documentation, such as a business license or insurance certificate, to verify your business.

Once your LSA campaign is set up and your law firm is verified, your ad will start running on Google. Potential clients in your service area will be able to see your ad at the top of the search results and contact you directly through the ad.

3. Google Screened

Another benefit of LSAs is that they are screened by Google to ensure that only qualified and reputable service providers are featured in the ads. This means that before an attorney can run an LSA, they will have to go through a screening process where Google verifies that they are licensed, insured and have good reputation. This screening process can help to build trust with potential clients by ensuring that they are only seeing ads from qualified and reputable service providers.

For example, if a client is searching for a criminal defense attorney and they see an ad from a qualified and reputable criminal defense attorney at the top of their search results, they are more likely to trust and consider that attorney over one that isn't verified by Google. This can increase the likelihood that they will choose your services over those of a less reputable provider.

Additionally, Google also allows clients to leave reviews for the service providers, which will help clients to make a more informed decision based on the experience of other clients who have used their services before.

In summary, LSAs are screened by Google to ensure that only qualified and reputable service providers are featured in the ads, which can help to build trust with potential clients, increase the likelihood that they will choose your services over those of a less reputable provider and make a more informed decision based on the experience of other clients who have used their services before.

4. Target specific geographic locations

One of the key benefits of LSAs for attorneys is that they allow you to target specific geographic locations, such as cities or neighborhoods so that you can reach potential clients in your immediate area. This is especially important for attorneys who rely on a local client base, as it allows them to focus their marketing efforts on the people who are most likely to need their services.

One of the key benefits of LSAs for attorneys is the ability to target specific geographic locations. This means that you can reach potential clients who are located in the cities or neighborhoods where you practice law.

This targeted approach is especially important for attorneys who rely on a local client base. By focusing your marketing efforts on the people who are most likely to need your services, you can increase the chances that they will reach out to you when they are in need of legal assistance.

In addition, targeting specific geographic locations can also help you to reach potential clients who may not have been aware of your services before. For example, if you are a criminal defense attorney based in New York City, you can target your LSAs to appear in search results for people searching for legal services in Brooklyn, which will help you to reach potential clients who may not have been aware of your services before but are now searching for a criminal defense attorney in their area.

In summary, LSAs allow attorneys to target specific geographic locations, which can help them to reach potential clients in their immediate area, and increase the chances that they will reach out to you when they need legal assistance. This is especially important for attorneys who rely on a local client base, as it allows them to focus their marketing efforts on the people who are most likely to need their services, and generate more leads and grow their business.

5. increased visibility

One of the key benefits of using Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) is the increased visibility they provide. LSAs appear at the top of Google search results when users search for legal services, making them highly visible and effective at driving traffic to your website.

For example, when a person searches for "divorce attorney in [city]," the first few results will be Local Service Ads from qualified and reputable divorce attorneys in that area. This increased visibility can help to attract more potential clients to your website, which can lead to more leads and ultimately, more business.

Additionally, LSAs also appear on Google Maps, making them even more visible to potential clients who are searching for legal services in a specific location. This can help to drive even more traffic to your website and increase your visibility among potential clients.

Moreover, LSAs also appear on Google's partner websites, which can expand your visibility even further and reach more potential clients.

In summary, one of the key benefits of using LSAs is the increased visibility they provide. They appear at the top of Google search results, Google Maps, and partner websites, which can help to attract more potential clients to your website, drive more traffic and ultimately lead to more business.

6. Voice Search Responses

Another benefit of using Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) is that they can also appear in voice search responses. With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, more people are using voice search to find businesses and services in their local area.

When someone uses a voice assistant to search for a service, the assistant will often read out the top result from the search. This can include LSAs, which can give attorneys an additional opportunity to reach potential clients. For example, if a person uses a voice search to find a "family law attorney near me," the voice assistant might read out the top LSA for a family law attorney in that area.

Voice search responses can be especially beneficial for attorneys whose services are time-sensitive, such as criminal defense attorneys, personal injury attorneys, or immigration attorneys. It allows potential clients to quickly find a qualified attorney in their area when they need one.

Usie natural language and common phrases

To take advantage of this feature, it is important to ensure that your LSA is well-optimized for voice search. This includes using natural language and common phrases that people might use when searching for legal services using a voice assistant. Additionally, it is also important to make sure that your business information, such as your address and phone number, is up-to-date and accurate so that it can be easily found by the voice assistant.

In conclusion, LSAs can be an effective way to reach potential clients through voice search responses. It allows attorneys to take advantage of the increasing popularity of voice assistants and reach potential clients quickly and conveniently, especially in time-sensitive situations. By optimizing your LSA for voice search, attorneys can improve their chances of appearing in voice search responses and reaching potential clients.

7. Reviews

Reviews are a powerful tool for any business, and they are especially important for attorneys who rely on clients to find and hire them. Google Local Services Ads allows clients to leave reviews for the attorneys who advertise on the platform, which can help potential clients make a more informed decision when choosing an attorney.

When clients leave reviews, they are able to provide detailed feedback about their experience with the attorney, including the quality of the service they received, the attorney's communication skills, and the outcome of their case. This information can be incredibly valuable for potential clients, as it allows them to get a sense of what it would be like to work with a particular attorney before they make a hiring decision.

Reviews can help attorneys improve their services

In addition to helping potential clients make more informed decisions, reviews can also help attorneys improve their services. By reading and responding to reviews, attorneys can learn what their clients like and dislike about their services, and make adjustments accordingly. This can help them provide better service to their clients and attract more business.

It is important to note that reviews can be filtered by Google so that they can only show reviews that are authentic and relevant. This means that attorneys should not engage in any practices that would encourage clients to leave fake or misleading reviews.

Finally, it is important for attorney to be active in responding to reviews, both positive and negative. This can show potential clients that the attorney cares about their clients' experience and is willing to address any issues that may arise.

In conclusion, Google Local Services Ads reviews are a great way for attorneys to attract new clients and improve their services. By encouraging clients to leave reviews and responding to them in a timely and professional manner, attorneys can take advantage of the power of reviews to build trust and credibility with potential clients

8. Overview of Benefits Of Local Service Ads

Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) can offer a variety of benefits for attorneys looking to increase their visibility and reach potential clients in their local area. Some of the key benefits of using LSAs include:

  1. Increased visibility: LSAs appear at the top of Google search results when users search for legal services, making them highly visible and effective at driving traffic to your website.

  2. Targeted advertising: LSAs allow you to target specific geographic locations, such as cities or neighborhoods so that you can reach potential clients in your immediate area.

  3. Trust and credibility: LSAs are screened by Google to ensure that only qualified and reputable service providers are featured in the ads, which can help to build trust with potential clients and increase the likelihood that they will choose your services over those of a less reputable provider.

  4. Voice search responses: LSAs can also appear in voice search responses, which can give attorneys an additional opportunity to reach potential clients through voice assistants.

  5. Cost-effective: LSAs allow you to set a budget for your campaign so that you can control your spending and optimize your return on investment (ROI).

  6. Comprehensive online marketing: LSAs can be part of a comprehensive online marketing strategy that includes multiple channels to reach a wider audience, increase visibility and generate more leads.

  7. Google Guarantee badge: By getting a background check and insurance verification through Google, you will be able to get a "Google Guarantee" badge that will be added to your ad, which gives an additional layer of trust to your potential clients

  8. Reviews: Clients can leave reviews for the service providers, which will help clients to make a more informed decision based on the experience of other clients who have used their services before.

  9. Optimization: LSAs can be optimized for voice search, which can improve the chances of appearing in voice search responses and reaching potential clients.

  10. Time-sensitive services: Voice search responses can be especially beneficial for attorneys whose services are time-sensitive, such as criminal defense attorneys, personal injury attorneys, or immigration attorneys.

Written by Chris Lancaster

Chris Lancaster is a seasoned digital marketing expert with a passion for helping law firms acquire and retain clients. He has been providing his expertise in this field since 2014, and he is committed to building long-term partnerships with the law firms he works with. In fact, he still works with his very first law firm client from 2014. On average, Chris has worked with law firms for an impressive 4.5 years. His portfolio of successful projects includes partnering with The Watt Law Firm, Rivera Law, LLC, Krupp Law Firm, and many others.
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