Which Term Ranks Higher In SEO? Attorney Or Lawyer? - Above the Law

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by Samuel Pordengerg Dec 3, 2022 News
Which Term Ranks Higher In SEO? Attorney Or Lawyer? - Above the Law

Do you want to re-brand your law firm? Is it better to use the term "attorney" or "lawyer" for search engine marketing? One may be preferred over the other by the search engine. It is important to use the term that will get the most traffic to your website. Continue reading to find out which terms rank higher in the internet search engine rankings.

Why is there so much importance to the internet? Online marketing is powered by search engine Optimization. The method helps websites rank better. Law firms are searched for online. Many won't look past the first page.

Prospective new clients will find your firm on the first page of results when they search for a lawyer, if you use the right phrases.

Many law firms don't have a website. This critical marketing approach is not being utilized by some law firms. A website that matches the queries and searches of potential clients is a marketing tool.

If you want your website to be more visible, accessible, and competitive, you need to include it in your plans. Incorporating pages about your firm, biographies of attorneys, and posting consistent blogs are all part of an effective marketing strategy and will help generate traffic to your website.

Potential clients search for an attorney or lawyer. Which word should you use in your website to increase your search rankings?

Reasons to Use “Attorney” as a Keyword

Data has shown that more people search the words “attorney” and “attorneys” than “lawyer” and “lawyers.” This is a valid reason to use “attorney” on your pages. There is no geographic link regarding this data. People from all over tend to search “attorney” rather than “lawyer” when searching for legal information.

“Attorney” is an Industry Term

Other businesses refer to someone providing legal services as an attorney, not a lawyer. It is also used to designate a specific practice area. For example, many attorneys describe themselves as “personal injury attorneys “or “criminal defense attorneys.”

It's important to know what's happening in your area. The term used by the clients you are targeting and hoping to recruit is related to online searches.

Reasons to Use “Lawyer” as a Keyword

There are a few reasons to use the term “attorney,” but there are also good reasons to use the term “lawyer” as well.

Using “Lawyer” is Less Expensive

This applies if you use a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising method. A PPC means your firm pays a publisher every time a particular link is “clicked.” Search engines and social networks offer this Pay-Per-Click method. The word “lawyer” warrants a less expensive payout than its synonymous word, “attorney.”

A Lawyer is a Local Term

Sometimes “lawyer” is used more often in your locality or your practice area. The word “lawyer” is often used in the South and is a more established and popular global term. Specific practices may use “lawyer” more often than “attorney.”

Divorce lawyers are not usually referred to as attorneys. An effectiveseo strategy will match the search trends of potential clients in specific locations and make sure your website is using the term that is most popular.

Which Term is Better For SEO?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It depends on a variety of factors, including:

Geography

Your law firm’s location may determine the use of “lawyer” or “attorney.” Research on your own and figure out what keywords and terms are used more often in your locality.

Practice The type of practice you have or the services you offer may dictate what term is used. The most common word used by potential clients may depend on your expertise. Again, research the keywords and terms for your practice, as there is often a considerable disparity in the preference of terms across different practice areas.

Use Google AutoComplete

One easy way to learn which term is trending is to use the Google AutoComplete search query. This tool will show you the Google suggestion that finishes your search based on recent searches from other users.

It is important to remember that not everyone who searches for law firms online will be interested in hiring a firm. Some people are looking for information about becoming a lawyer or looking for a district attorney. You can connect with people looking for your services by using long-tailKeywords.

Long-tailKeywords are more precise than just one word searches. Approximately 70% of all searches are long-tail. It is important to use an optimal strategy to increase search engine ranking.

The actual search phrases used are confirmed by using the Auto Complete feature. If you type in the word car accident, the results will include what other people have searched for. Car accident lawyer or car accident attorney.

It's possible to make your content match what people are searching for. The method works on long-tailKeywords. You can type in the name of the car accident lawyer you want to talk to.

Use Google Search Console

Google Search Console determines which terms are more successful than others. Website owners can monitor and troubleshoot their website’s presence in Google search results. It’s a powerful tool providing historical data regarding how often a site appears in search results, which searches to include, and which results in traffic to their site. This can help a growing firm develop an effective marketing strategy based on real data.

Digital Marketing Next Steps

When using “attorney” or “lawyer,” there are many deciding factors. Location and practice area seem to be two key components. Take the time to really research online what your potential clients are searching for, add those keywords to your website pages, and reap the rewards.

Annette Choti, Esq. graduated from law school 20 years ago, and is the Founder of Law Quill, a legal digital marketing agency focused on small and solo law firms. Annette wrote the bestselling book Click Magnet: The Ultimate Digital Marketing Guide For Law Firms, and hosts the podcast Legal Marketing Lounge. She is a sought-after keynote and CLE speaker throughout the United States and Canada. Annette used to do theatre and professional comedy, which is not so different from the legal field if we are all being honest. Annette can be found on LinkedIn or at annette@lawquill.com.