Reviews decide who wins
Google compares your rating and review count with the firms around you. Fall short, and the best leads go to them.
GOOGLE LSA FOR LAWYERS
Local Services Ads Are an Unfair Game. Know the Rules Before You Play.
Google sends most Local Services Ads leads to the firms with the strongest reviews and the fastest response. Eric Bersano helps attorneys find out where they stand before they spend a dollar.
Why Local Services Ads reward some firms and punish others
Local Services Ads (LSA) sit at the very top of Google with a Google Screened badge, and you pay per lead instead of per click. That sounds like a level playing field. It isn't.
If your rating and number of reviews don't stack up against your local competitors, you will never get the lion's share of the leads, no matter what you spend. And every lead you do get is billed, whether or not someone at your firm answers it. With strong reviews, bulletproof intake and the right partner, LSA can deliver a good cost per signed case. Without them, it's an expensive lesson.
THE HARD TRUTH
Why most firms lose at Local Services Ads
Every lead is a test
Calls, emails and text messages all arrive fast. If no one answers right away, the prospect calls the next firm.
Missed leads still cost money
You pay for leads your team never answered. Slow intake turns a good channel into wasted budget.
Money alone won't fix it
A bigger budget can't make up for a weak rating or a slow response. The fundamentals come first.
ARE YOU READY?
What it takes to win Local Services Ads
A competitive rating
A star rating that matches or beats the firms showing up next to you.
A competitive review count
Enough reviews to stand alongside your local competitors, not a fraction of theirs.
A steady flow of new reviews
A consistent, ethical process for asking satisfied clients to share their experience.
Calls answered live
Every LSA call answered by a person, during business hours and after.
Fast replies to emails and texts
Messages answered in minutes, not hours, with a clear next step for the prospect.
Tracking to signed cases
Knowing which leads became consultations and clients, so you know your real cost per case.
HOW ERIC HELPS
Find out if you're ready, then find the right partner
A direct conversation
We talk through your practice areas, your market and any results you've had with LSA so far.
An honest readiness check
I compare your reviews with your local competitors and look hard at your intake for calls, emails and texts.
The right partner
When you're ready, I can introduce you to vetted LSA and intake specialists who can deliver a good cost per signed case.
FAQ
Local Services Ads questions
Does Eric manage Local Services Ads?
No. Eric is a consultant, not an agency. He helps firms decide whether they're ready for LSA and evaluate how it's being run, and he can introduce vetted specialists when a firm needs a provider.
Why do my competitors get more leads than I do?
Usually reviews and responsiveness. Firms with a stronger rating, more reviews and faster answers tend to win more of the leads in a market.
Can I spend my way to the top?
Budget matters, but it can't make up for weak reviews or slow intake. Fix those first, or a bigger budget just buys more leads you can't win.
What does good intake look like for LSA?
Every call answered by a person, emails and text messages answered within minutes, and a clear process for booking consultations. Leads from LSA expect a fast response.
What does Google Screened mean for lawyers?
Google runs checks on your firm, such as licensing, before your ads can appear. The badge signals trust to people searching.
Can I get money back for bad leads?
Google lets advertisers dispute leads that don't qualify, such as wrong practice areas or spam. Someone has to review leads and file disputes consistently.
WORK WITH ERIC
Find out if your firm is ready for LSA
Tell Eric about your firm, your reviews and how you handle intake today, or invite him to present to your bar association.