Like many law firms, yours may have made recent improvements to its website, especially since the pandemic. Many firms have updated their websites to allow online client intake. While the pandemic may have caused you to think of how you could provide a better user experience for your clients, have you given enough attention to your website’s mobile responsiveness and mobile site speed? 48%  of users say that if a website doesn’t work well on mobile, it indicates a lack of care from the business¹. With a consistent growth trend of mobile usage, it’s not enough to simply have a website that can load on a mobile device. Optimizing your website for mobile is likely something your firm is neglecting without even realizing it.

• According to Google’s mobile-first index, 48 percent of users say that if a mobile site doesn’t work well, it indicates the business does not care enough about its customers.
• That 48% of potential clients will most likely choose another firm.
• Mobile responsive design and mobile site speed play a considerable role in how your website will show up on Google searches.

If you’re not sure if your firm’s website is mobile-friendly, use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to find out. You can also set up Google Search Console to get tips from Google on how you can improve your website and the mobile experience. Here are some tips to help you optimize your website for mobile users:

1. Create a Mobile-first Website
   Switch the usual order of the website design. Rather than starting the design of your website with the traditional desktop approach, begin the design in the mobile version. It is easier to adapt the content to larger screen versions and expand on the information provided than to reformat a large amount of content. The mobile site is basically a streamlined, faster-loading version of the desktop site.
2. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMPs)
   AMP is a Google initiative that started in 2015 with the goal of providing an open-source solution designed to help web pages load faster on mobile devices. AMPs are a stripped-down HTML version of a website designed to replace the standard HTML5 documents.  This leaner website loads faster on mobile, which is why they are called “Accelerated Mobile Pages.” Building AMP pages allow you to keep your desktop version intact while decreasing the time it takes to load your website on a mobile device by up to 85%. While having AMP set up is not a ranking factor, site speed plays a role in how your website shows up on mobile search engine result pages. So AMP can have an impact on your SEO efforts.Advantages to AMPs
   • Page load speed is an important Google ranking factor in mobile and desktop indexes as well as a big plus for usability. AMPs are distinguished in mobile search results by a lightning bolt symbol. Speed is so important that, according to Neil Patel, a respected digital consulting firm, a one-second delay in web page speed can decrease conversions by seven percent!²
   • Less drain on your servers in case of heavy mobile traffic

In the past, there were some considerable drawbacks to consider with AMP pages. This has changed in recent years to allow the ability to include JavaScript, CSS, form fills, and ads on AMP pages.

Whether you choose to go the “mobile-first” route or opt for a traditional site in addition to an AMP mobile site, your goal is to upgrade your marketing strategy and attract more prospective clients. The image you want to present is that of a contemporary firm represented by a responsive mobile site. This indicates the firm values their clients as well as their time.

Another way to show clients that you care, and are striving to simplify their lives, is by offering them a variety of payment options. The overwhelming majority of American consumers say credit and debit cards are their preferred way to pay for all purchases. In fact, 40% of potential clients will not consider an attorney that does not take credit cards.

Although the ABA has approved the ability of law firms to accept credit/debit cards and ACH payments, many firms are still reluctant to do so. Generic merchant processing companies are not explicitly designed to comply with the rules and regulations that govern how the legal profession can accept credit card and ACH payments, ensuring your firm remains compliant.

LexActum is a reliable credit card processing company specifically designed for the legal industry. LexActum also provides automatic separation of trust account payments and operating account payments.

At LexActum, set up time is quick and easy. Merchant account applications are processed immediately, and your law practice is ready to process credit card sales within 24 to 48 hours. For a free statement audit, or to get started, call 321-972-9838.

Sources:
¹ Google – Mobile-friendly sites turn visitors into customers
² Neil Patel – How Loading Time Affects Your Bottom Line