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How Lawyers Can Use Retargeting in Combination with Other Marketing Strategies

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In today’s digital era, technology is reshaping the rules of marketing domains, including the legal field. Lawyers and law firms are now embracing various marketing strategies, including online advertising and digital marketing, to lift their services above the competition. One such potent and often underestimated tool is retargeting. Combined effectively with other marketing strategies, retargeting can yield significant results by driving conversions and extending your client base.

Definition of Retargeting


Retargeting, also commonly referred to as remarketing, is a distinct form of online advertising that keeps your brand in front of bounced traffic after they leave your website. It operates by placing a small, unobtrusive piece of code on your website, often referred to as a pixel. When new visitors land on your site, the pixel drops an anonymous browser cookie. Later, when your cookied visitors browse the internet, the cookie informs your retargeting provider to serve ads, ensuring that your ads are displayed only to people who have previously visited your site.
• It is an essence of precision marketing, targeting only those who have already shown interest in your services.
• It heightens your brand’s visibility, keeping it at the forefront of potential clients’ minds.

Importance of Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


If well-implemented, retargeting can be a game-changer in the marketing strategy for lawyers. Remember, the field of law is always competitive, and gaining even the slightest edge over your counterparts can make all the difference.
• Retargeting helps to increase brand recall: The more your potential clients see your ads, the more they remember your brand. This aids in developing trust and credibility. 
• It elevates conversion rates: People who are retargeted with display ads are more likely to convert by 70%. Those who have visited your website once are already interested in your services, retargeting them nudges them closer to taking action.
• It complements other marketing strategies: Retargeting is not an isolated tool, it works best in tandem with inbound and outbound marketing or demand generation. Content marketing, SEO, AdWords, and targeted display are all great for driving traffic, but they function optimally when integrated with a retargeting strategy.
• It provides a higher return on investment (ROI): Through targeted exposure and increased conversion rates, retargeting can serve as a cost-effective way to increase ROI.

Understanding the Basics of Lawyer Marketing


To create and manage a successful legal practice, skilled lawyers must not just focus on their core area of expertise, but also on effective marketing strategies. Understanding the basics of lawyer marketing begins with recognizing its primary goal – to attract, retain, and create loyal clientele.

Overview of Lawyer Marketing


At its core, lawyer marketing incorporates a range of strategies aimed at enhancing the visibility of a law firm or a legal practitioner, nurturing relationships with existing clients, and attracting potential ones. In the digital age we live in, this largely revolves around online advertising and digital marketing approaches. Meanwhile, traditional offline methods, such as referrals, networking, and print advertisements, still retain their importance.

Lawyer marketing strategies involve building a strong online presence, optimizing the firm’s website for search engines (SEO), creating high-quality content, and leveraging social media platforms. Furthermore, lawyers can also utilize pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, email marketing, and the increasingly effective method known as retargeting.

Key Marketing Strategies for Lawyers


The internet has fundamentally changed how lawyers connect with potential clients. Here are some key marketing strategies lawyers should consider leveraging:
• SEO: Delivering organic search results is crucial, as ranking higher in search engine results can draw more visitors to your site.
• Content Marketing: Expertly crafted blogs, social media posts, and email newsletters provide value to potential clients, build your brand, and establish your firm as an authority in your specific area of law.
• Social Media Marketing: By utilizing platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook, lawyers can reach a wide audience, engage with potential clients, and promote their services.
• PPC Advertising: PPC campaigns can drive traffic to your site, while targeting specific demographics or areas of interest.
• Retargeting: This strategy focuses on reconnecting with individuals who have previously visited your website, serving them targeted advertisements to spark their interest in your services once more. 
• Email Marketing: Regularly emailing useful content to clients or subscribing visitors can keep your firm at the top of their minds when legal services are needed.

In an age where everyone has access to vast amounts of information at their fingertips, lawyers need to employ sophisticated marketing strategies to stand out from the competition and attract potential clients.

The Concept of Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


The internet has significantly redefined how marketing is done, with numerous strategies employed to achieve desired results. One such potent strategy is retargeting, employed extensively in lawyer marketing. When used correctly in combination with other marketing tactics, retargeting can be immensely beneficial in enticing potential clients who have shown interest in legal services.

Definition and Explanation of Retargeting


Retargeting, also known as remarketing, is an effective online advertising technique aimed at targeting users who have previously visited a website, utilized an app, or engaged with a firm’s online content. This technique serves ads specifically tailored to these users, who have shown initial interest, with the objective of persuading them to return and complete a favorable action—like making an inquiry or booking a consultation with a lawyer.

It’s important to note that retargeting is different from typical display advertising, where ads are served to a broad audience. In retargeting, personalized ads are created for individuals based on their specific interests and previous online behavior. This makes the approach more focused and has potential for higher conversion rates.

How Retargeting Works in Lawyer Marketing


Retargeting works primarily by utilizing technology such as cookies or pixel tags which track a user’s online behavior. Here is a brief process of how retargeting works in lawyer marketing:
• A ‘cookie’ or pixel tag is placed on a user’s device when they visit a law firm’s website or engage with an online ad. 
• If the user then leaves without making a desired action—like requesting a consultation—this cookie enables retargeting platforms to recognize them across different websites or social media platforms they browse. 
• The retargeting platform then serves tailored ads to remind the potential client of the law firm they initially showed interest in. 
• The goal is to reignite their interest and persuade them to return to the law firm’s website for potential engagement, hence increasing the chance of conversion.

In conjunction with other digital marketing strategies, retargeting, when executed strategically, can yield impressive results, increase conversions, and expand the client base in the legal space.

Benefits of Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


Retargeting has the potential to considerably enhance a law firm’s marketing efforts. From increasing conversion rates to expanding the client base and building brand recognition, there’s a long list of reasons why lawyers should consider this powerful digital marketing strategy. 

Increased Conversions and Lead Generation


Retargeting is a crucial strategy for lawyers in generating high-quality leads and increasing conversions. Visitors that leave your site without taking action aren’t lost opportunities, but potential clients that can be brought back through retargeting. 
• With retargeting, law firms can center their online advertising efforts on individuals who have shown prior interest, increasing the probability of conversion.
• The strategy aids in achieving a significant increase in return on investment (ROI) as retargeted traffic tends to result in higher conversion rates.
• Retargeting ensures that your law firm remains top-of-mind for potential clients who may need your services but aren’t ready to commit immediately.

Expansion of Client Base


Successfully advertising your law firm isn’t merely about reaching as many people as possible, but about reaching the right people. Retargeting can help your firm attract and retain more clients by emphasizing on quality instead of quantity. 
• It provides an opportunity to reconnect with previous site visitors, even after they have left your website, helping you stay in close contact with potential clients.
• Instead of marketing your legal services to a broad audience, retargeting can focus on individuals who have already shown interest, thus building a strong client base. 

Brand Recognition and Trust Building


For any law firm, establishing a strong reputation and building trust with clients is paramount. Retargeting can aid in this process. 
• Continuous visibility fosters brand recognition. The more your ads are seen by relevant audiences, the more your brand becomes embedded in their minds.
• Retargeting can portray your law firm as a reliable and authoritative entity in the field, contributing to an increase in trust and credibility among your audience.
• Especially when combined with positive client testimonials and reviews, retargeting can help to solidify your firm’s reputation, effectively serving as a form of digital word-of-mouth advertising.

In conclusion, the benefits of using retargeting in lawyer marketing are manifold. By optimizing your marketing strategy with retargeting, your law firm can enjoy increased conversions, a broader client base, and heightened brand recognition.

Implementing Retargeting Campaigns for Lawyers


Retargeting is a powerfully effective online advertising strategy that allows lawyers to re-engage with the 96% of users who leave their website without taking action. Implementing a successful retargeting campaign primarily involves four key steps: setting goals and objectives, identifying your target audience, choosing the right platforms, and creating compelling ad content.

Setting Goals and Objectives


The very first step in any successful retargeting campaign begins with clearly defining your goals and objectives. Are you hoping to increase client conversions? Boost law firm branding? Generate more enquiries? These objectives will guide the entire campaign and help you measure its success.

For instance:

– If your goal is to increase client conversions, you might focus on retargeting users who have visited your contact page but didn’t submit an enquiry.
– If your aim is to strengthen branding, retargeting users who have spent a significant amount of time browsing your website would be a good strategy.

Identifying Your Target Audience


The next crucial step is identifying your ideal client, or target audience. Factors like geographic location, type of legal issue, and demographic profile (such as age, gender, and income level) will help define your target audience. Once identified, you can effectively tailor your retargeting ads to engage these potential clients.

Choosing the Right Platforms for Retargeting


There’s a range of online platforms available to run retargeting campaigns. Some of the most effective platforms for lawyers include Google Ads, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The choice of platform will largely depend on where your target audience typically spends their time online.

– Google Ads can reach a broad audience and is excellent for retargeting visitors who have previously visited your website but didn’t make an enquiry. 
– Facebook is particularly good for targeting users based on demographics and interests. If your law firm has a strong Facebook presence, retargeting on this platform can create a seamless user experience.
– LinkedIn can cater to a professional audience and is ideal for corporate or employment law firms seeking to reach other businesses.

Creating Compelling Ad Content


Finally, it’s crucial to create compelling ad content that commands attention and prompts users to return to your law firm’s site. An effective retargeting ad should not only remind users of their prior interest but should also provide them with a compelling reason to take action.

– A compelling headline is a must. It should communicate the unique value you offer and why consumers should choose you over competitors. 
– Use persuasive and concise language that speaks to your target audience’s specific needs and concerns. 
– Consider offering something of value, such as free case evaluation to encourage clicks on your ad.

Through these steps, lawyers can successfully implement a retargeting campaign, improving online visibility and consumer engagement, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates.

Best Practices for Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


Retargeting, also known as remarketing, can be a game-changer in the realm of attorney marketing. It enables lawyers to use digital ads to target potential clients who have previously interacted with their website or content. By leveraging strategic practices in retargeting, along with other online marketing tactics, legal professionals can greatly enhance lead generation and conversion rates. Here are some key strategies you should consider to optimize your retargeting efforts:

Segmenting Target Audience for Personalized Ads


For any advertising campaign to succeed, it’s vital to understand the audience you’re targeting. Segmenting your audience based on attributes like the interest area (for example, personal injury or family law), geographical area, or browsing behavior, allows you to tailor your retargeting ads to specific audience groups. This personalization can lead to a higher rate of ad engagement and, ultimately, conversions. 
• Divide visitors into categories based on the pages they visited on your site.
• Display personalized ads that address the potential client’s needs or concerns.
• Use geographical personalization for targeting potential clients in specific locations.

Frequency Capping for Effective Ad Delivery


Another key strategy is to set frequency caps on your retargeting ads to prevent ad fatigue among your target audience. If potential clients see your ads too often, it may become irritating and cause them to develop negative feelings toward your brand. Use frequency capping to control how often each person sees your ads. This also ensures your budget is distributed evenly not exhausted too quickly.
• Have a balance: Ads should be frequent, but not overbearing.
• Periodically rotate ads to retain freshness and audience interest.

A/B Testing for Optimized Results


A/B testing, also known as split testing, should be modular of your retargeting strategy. It involves creating two versions of your ad, differing in one key aspect – perhaps the headline, image, or call-to-action. This allows you to see which version resonates more with your target audience, based on engagement and conversion rates.
• Make small changes to identify which element significantly impact the campaign’s success.
• Use testing results to refine and optimize your retargeting efforts.

Monitoring and Analyzing Campaign Performance


Finally, the effectiveness of your retargeting strategy should be constantly monitored and analyzed. Keep an eye on metrics like click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS). These insights will help you identify what’s working and what isn’t, allowing you to tweak your strategy for optimal results.
• Use analytics tools to observe and understand campaign trends.
• Implement changes based on observed campaign metrics to optimize future efforts.

By implementing these best practices, lawyers can significantly improve their retargeting efforts and boost the overall success of their digital marketing campaigns.

Other Marketing Strategies to Enhance Retargeting Efforts


Retargeting is a potent strategy to remind clients of your legal services and get them back on your site. Nevertheless, when combined with other marketing techniques, retargeting can considerably improve its impact. Let’s delve into some marketing strategies lawyers can use to supplement their retargeting attempts.

SEO Techniques for Lawyer Websites


A strong online presence begins with a well-optimized website. For lawyers, optimizing for search engines is crucial in achieving better visibility in a congested marketplace. Here are a few pointers to optimize a lawyer’s website:
• Use local SEO strategies: Incorporate relevant geographical keywords into your site’s content, tags, and meta descriptions to ensure that your service appears in local search results.
• Optimize website content with legal keywords: Identify relevant, high-search volume keywords (like “divorce lawyer” or “personal injury attorney”) and incorporate them naturally into your content.
• Mobile optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as more than 50% of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices.

Content Marketing and Thought Leadership


Content marketing is an effective way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your legal specialization. This strategy involves creating and sharing online material, such as blog posts, videos, and social media content:
• Regularly publish informative articles and blog posts related to legal topics.
• Consider creating in-depth ebooks or case studies highlighting your expertise.
• Consistently release content that provides value to your audience, solve their problems, address their concerns, or answer their questions.

Thought leadership promotes credibility, builds brand loyalty, and can work hand in hand with your retargeting efforts to bring prior visitors back to your site for more information.

Social Media Advertising and Engagement


The power of social media is undeniable in the modern marketing landscape. Aside from the paid advertising, social media engagement should be part of a comprehensive strategy. Here are some methods on how lawyers can harness the power of social media:
• Launch targeted ads on platforms, like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, which offer a wealth of demographic data.
• Engage with your audience by responding to questions, comments, and reviews.
• Share your content across different platforms to increase its visibility and reach.
• Use retargeting ads on social media to reach users who have previously visited your website but did not convert.

Remember, retargeting is a robust tool when used as a piece of a larger marketing puzzle. Incorporating it with SEO, content marketing, and social media advertising can significantly enhance your overall digital marketing efforts.

Legal Considerations for Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


In this competitive digital landscape, lawyers often use sophisticated digital marketing strategies, retargeting being one of the most effective. However, due to the sensitive nature of legal services, there are certain legal considerations that lawyers need to adhere to when employing retargeting in their marketing.

Compliance with Privacy Laws and Regulations


When it comes to retargeting, respecting privacy is a critical component. Lawyers must comply with online privacy laws and regulations that govern how personal information can be collected and used for marketing purposes.

– First, lawyers must make sure that the use of cookies – the technology that powers retargeting – complies with laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in California, and other relevant data protection laws. This means obtaining informed consent from users before placing cookies on their devices.

– Second, the collected data should not be used in ways that infringe on the privacy rights of potential clients. Lawyers need to ensure that their retargeting is not overly invasive or intrusive.

– Third, all data used for retargeting should be adequately secured to prevent data breaches, which can have severe consequences, both legal and reputational.

Ethical Considerations for Lawyer Marketing


Aside from legal considerations, there are also ethical considerations that lawyers need to be aware of in relation to retargeting.

– Legal advertising must always maintain the truthfulness and accuracy. Misrepresenting or exaggerating the nature of legal services, success rates, or pricing in the context of retargeting can breach legal advertising ethics.

– Second, respecting the client-lawyer confidentiality is paramount. When employing retargeting, lawyers need to make sure private details about potential clients or their case are not exposed or inferred.

– Third, retargeting should not be used in ways that could be perceived as solicitation or harassment. Repeatedly targeting the same individuals with advertising can cross the line from informative to intrusive marketing.

In conclusion, while retargeting can be an extremely effective strategy for lawyers, the key is to use it prudently and ethically, respecting all legal and ethical requirements.

Case Studies: Successful Retargeting Campaigns in Lawyer Marketing


Understanding how to strategically integrate retargeting into your marketing efforts can often feel overwhelming. By examining successful case studies, however, you can derive actionable insights. Here, we explore two successful examples of retargeting in lawyer marketing to provide you with a roadmap.

Example 1: Law Firm XYZ


Law Firm XYZ, a mid-size firm specializing in personal injury law, employed retargeting strategies to boost their client roster. They utilized a combination of tactics such as:

– Remarketing pixels: These were added to their website to track visitor behavior. Advertisements were then served to these visitors as they browsed other websites, reminding them of Firm XYZ and their services.
– Custom Audience Targeting: They created custom audiences on Facebook, wherein previous website visitors, or those who had interacted with their Facebook ads, were targeted specifically. This personalized touch dramatically improved conversion rates.
– Email Retargeting: Using their existing database, they sent follow-up emails to potential clients who had left contact information but had not yet engaged their services.

The result was a significant increase in website traffic and lead conversions, improving Firm XYZ’s visibility and client base.

Example 2: Attorney John Doe


Attorney John Doe used a different yet successful approach. As a solo attorney specializing in family law, his marketing budget was limited. Consequently, he used smart retargeting tactics to stretch his marketing dollars:

– Google Display Network (GDN): John utilized GDN to serve ads to individuals who had previously visited his website as they browsed other sites within the network.
– Retargeting on LinkedIn: Considering his professional clientele, John executed retargeting campaigns on LinkedIn, targeting users who had previously visited his site.
– Direct mail retargeting: Unusually, John linked his online retargeting data with a direct mail campaign, sending personalized letters to website visitors who had shown an interest in his services.

Thanks to this multi-pronged approach, Attorney John Doe saw a higher engagement rate and, importantly, an increase in conversions – thereby growing his practice despite budget constraints.

Conclusion

Recap of the Power of Retargeting in Lawyer Marketing


As highlighted throughout this article, retargeting presents a powerful tool for law firms eager to boost their online visibility and attract more clients. This method of digital marketing entails targeting potential clients who have already demonstrated some interest in your services, deepening their engagement and nudging them towards conversion. The beauty of retargeting is that it works harmoniously with other marketing strategies, elevating their effectiveness and helping legal professionals forge robust, memorable digital presences.
• Retargeting leverages consumer data to construct personalized advertising experiences, thus increasing the effectiveness of your ad spend.
• It works hand-in-hand with content marketing, social media marketing, and SEO strategies to create comprehensive digital marketing campaigns.
• When paired with strategic call-to-action placements and a meticulously crafted website, retargeting can significantly improve conversion rates.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Implementing Retargeting Strategies


As with any marketing strategy, the success of retargeting more often than not depends on thoughtful implementation. It’s advisable for law firms to do thorough groundwork before plunging headfirst into retargeting. Discern who your target audiences are, understand their online behaviors and preferences, and tailor your approach accordingly. Employ the services of retargeting and digital marketing professionals if need be, to sculpt effective campaigns.
• Establish clear goals and metrics for your retargeting efforts to monitor progress and adjust your strategy as needed.
• Give due consideration to your time and budget constraints, selecting the right retargeting methods to match your firm’s needs.
• Test different retargeting ad formats and messaging strategies, refining your approach based on what works best with your audience.

Retargeting, when combined with other marketing strategies, could be the game-changer your law firm needs to expand its client base and establish a stalwart online reputation. Its value is undeniable, and with diligent management, could yield impressive returns for your practice.

Joey Ikeguchi

Author, Founder and Legal SEO Marketer