Is It Worth Hiring an SEO Company?

Your law firm’s online visibility is not a want — it’s a need.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is at the forefront of getting your services in front of potential clients when they need them most. It’s the difference between appearing on the first page of search results or getting lost somewhere on page six.

A staggering 91.5% of users never scroll past the first page of search results, underscoring the importance of SEO for law firms looking to thrive online.

Investing in SEO helps you connect with clients when they’re seeking legal assistance. For law firms, this could mean the difference between a thriving practice and one struggling to find its footing in a highly competitive field.

In this article, we’ll answer the question: Is it worth paying for an SEO company? We’ll explore the benefits, the potential return on investment, and how a strategic approach to SEO can transform your law firm’s online presence.

Why SEO for Lawyers?

What happens when you try to find your law firm’s website on Google?

If you’re struggling to find it, or if it’s buried deep beyond the first page of search results, you’re in trouble.

If your website isn’t ranking well, you’re not just invisible to potential clients — you’re actively losing business to competitors who are doing SEO.

As you can see, a large portion of searchers only click links at the top of Google. The reality is that poor visibility on Google means you’re handing over potential clients to your competitors.

Consider the impact of local search: four out of five consumers use search engines to find local information. This is particularly relevant for law firms, as lawyers often serve their local community.

An astounding 76% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a business within a day, and 28% of these searches result in a purchase — or for law firms, a new client consultation.

Ignoring SEO means missing out on a substantial volume of potential business.

With the right SEO strategy, your law firm can increase its visibility, attract more website visitors, and convert these prospects into clients. It’s not merely about avoiding loss; it’s about actively pursuing growth and ensuring your firm remains competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Law Firm SEO: Case Studies

Our team has successfully helped many law firms achieve higher rankings on Google. We invite you to look at our success stories to see the work we’ve accomplished for our clients.

Below, we’ve highlighted several case studies that demonstrate the significant benefits of SEO.

Cory Wilson

Cory Wilson is a criminal defense lawyer out of Calgary, Alberta. By using SEO, we increased their website traffic by over +1,800%.

They also have many first-page rankings in Google’s search results. Keyword rankings include competitive phrases like “Calgary Criminal Defence Lawyer” and “Calgary Criminal Lawyer.”

Through link building, article writing, and onsite optimization, the firm has generated significant visibility in its local market.

Trey Porter

Trey Porter Law is a leading criminal defense firm in San Antonio, Texas. The firm focuses on DWI, DUI, and public intoxication defense. By using SEO, we were able to increase their website traffic by over +800%.

They also have many first-page rankings in Google’s search results. Keyword rankings include competitive phrases like “San Antonio DWI Attorney,” “San Antonio DWI Lawyer,” and “San Antonio Public Intoxication Attorney.”

The Law Offices of Bryan. R. Kazarian

Kazarian Law assists clients in Orange County with criminal defense cases. By using SEO, we were able to increase their website traffic by over +2,123%.

They also have many first-page rankings in Google’s search results. Keyword rankings include competitive phrases like “aggravated assault attorney Orange County” and “public intoxication attorney Orange County.”

Calculating the Value of Law Firm SEO

Understanding the value of SEO for your law firm means looking at the numbers. Let’s explore a modest hypothetical scenario to illustrate how SEO can transform your law firm’s financial outlook.

Imagine your law firm’s website attracts 500 visitors per week, a modest number in the competitive legal industry. For simplicity, let’s say your firm’s average client value is $5,000, reflecting the potential revenue from a single case.

Assuming a conversion rate of 1% — which means 1% of your website visitors become clients — your current online strategy brings in an estimated revenue of $26,000 per month.

Here’s the math:

500 visitors/week × 4 weeks × 0.01 conversion rate × $5,000 = $20,000 per month

Now, imagine the impact of SEO boosting your site’s visibility, potentially doubling your weekly traffic to 1,000 visitors.

Keeping the conversion rate and client value constant, your monthly revenue projection would increase to:

1,000 visitors/week × 4 weeks × 0.01 conversion rate × $5,000 = $40,000 per month

This scenario illustrates a potential increase of $20,000 in monthly revenue, or $240,000 annually, simply by enhancing your website’s visibility through SEO.

Considering the investment in SEO services typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 per month for law firms, depending on the complexity and scope of the project, the return on investment (ROI) is huge.

To apply this model to your law firm, replace the example values with your actual website traffic, conversion rate, and average client value.

Can Businesses Stop Doing SEO Once They’re Successful?

A common misconception among many businesses, including law firms, is that SEO is a one-time task that can be set aside once top rankings are achieved.

This mindset ignores the dynamic and competitive nature of search engine rankings. SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and adaptation as algorithms continue to evolve.

Even the top businesses actively work on their SEO. And if your competitors are continuously investing in SEO, so should you.

What works today may not work tomorrow, and staying ahead requires regular updates to your SEO strategy. This means continually optimizing your website’s content, structure, and technical health to meet the latest standards.

Plus, the way people search and the keywords they use change over time. Staying successful with SEO means keeping up with these trends, updating your keyword strategy, keeping your content relevant, and making sure it matches search intent.

SEO is also concerned with user experience and site performance, two things you should always be working on.

So, Are SEO Companies Worth It?

Definitely, paying for an SEO company is worthwhile for most businesses. Despite an initial investment, the value gained from higher visibility and traffic on search engines outweighs the cost. This strategic move not only boosts rankings but ensures sustained online competitiveness.

But you have several options for improving your website’s SEO. Let’s break them down.

DIY SEO Approach

Exploring SEO on your own is an option — there are hundreds of resources online to help you, including our own guide to SEO for Lawyers.

However, mastering SEO is time-consuming. Starting and seeing tangible results can take a lot of time, plus staying on top of ongoing SEO industry changes is crucial for maintaining your site’s ranking.

This approach might suit you if your website is on the smaller side and you have a lot of time to invest.

In our experience, lawyers are better off investing more time into billable tasks and leaving marketing to a specialist.

Employing an In-house SEO Specialist

Bringing an SEO specialist into your team is another path you can take. This approach allows you to maintain oversight while delegating the SEO work.

Recruiting and onboarding a new team member, however, involves time and financial resources, including training costs and salaries.

For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), these expenses may be costly.

Collaborating with an SEO Agency

Hiring an SEO agency is another viable (and recommended) strategy. Top-tier agencies like JurisPage bring a wealth of experience and resources, ensuring consistent improvements in your website’s SEO performance.

When selecting an agency, opt for one that’s forthcoming about its pricing structure and previous achievements. Search for client reviews, request testimonials, and examine their portfolio.

A qualified agency will offer a tailored SEO plan for your specific requirements.

Although an agency won’t be physically present in your office, firms such as JurisPage regularly communicate and provide frequent updates. Think of us as an extended member of your law firm.

Level Up Your Law Firm with SEO

The investment in SEO services for your law firm is an essential component of your overall marketing strategy.

Even modest increases in website traffic, achieved through effective SEO practices, can lead to substantial revenue growth. The potential return on investment far outweighs the initial costs, making SEO an invaluable tool for law firms aiming to expand their reach and enhance their market position.

With the right SEO agency, your firm can thrive and make it to the top of Google’s search results.

Looking for help with your law firm’s marketing? Contact us today.