Our world is in the grips of truly unprecedented times. The breadth of repercussions of the COVID-19 global pandemic is ultimately indeterminate.  Yet, this crisis will inevitably come to an end and gradually we will return to normalcy. In order to truly flourish, legal professionals should think about things like law firm website design and marketing services. In this article, we will discuss 4 tips for law firms to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

A Professionally Designed Exceptional Website Will Be Imperative

The legal profession is a highly competitive, if not saturated market. Therefore, law firms must elevate themselves from competitors with exceptional website design. A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that an astonishing 63% of Canadians admitted they will not buy from a company that has a poorly designed website. That said, this statistic is especially pertinent for those who operate law firms, which is already a crowded marketplace.

When the COVID-19 pandemic blessedly ceases, it will be more important than ever for law firms to make an excellent first impression with a professionally designed exceptional website. Your firm will convey a professionalism that is essential for attracting new clients, in addition to instilling a sense of trustworthiness, and earning brand credibility.

Consider Effective SEO Strategies For Your Law Firm To Thrive

When the COVID-19 pandemic inevitably subsides, law firms must consider using effective professional SEO services. Proven and effective SEO strategies will be vital for legal professionals, all vying for potential clients. You should consider utilizing the proven power of effective SEO strategies, which will drive organic traffic to your website, and maximize your ROI.

Efficient tactics such as optimizing your firm’s website for SEO, keyword research, and utilizing and optimizing Google My Business to get excellent client reviews are all essential for success. Other aspects of an effective SEO process include link building, and reporting and analysis of things like SEO content, linking structure, and social media activity.

In the post Coronavirus landscape, SEO will be key to the success of law firms. Savvy legal professionals must accept this fact in order to separate themselves from the competition and grow their firms.

Law Firms Must Think About Marketing Services

When the pandemic eventually ends, for a law firm to thrive, marketing services such as effective social media management and marketing will be integral for success in the highly competitive market.

Legal professionals must understand how crucial building your firm’s brand is for future success once the pandemic dissipates. Effective social media management and marketing will increase your social media presence, build brand awareness online, and attract potential new clients, thus enabling your firm to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

How The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Pertains To Law Firms

The global pandemic is a fluid situation, which shifts daily. The Ontario government declared a state of emergency and mandated the closure of all non-essential workplaces in the province, in an attempt to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The provincial government has deemed law and paralegal offices to be essential workplaces. Yet, it is important to understand what relief measures have been implemented by the federal government in the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Amongst the measures providing economic support to Canadians affected by the pandemic is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB):

“The federal government will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:

• workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.”

Moreover, in the beginning of April the federal government announced the details of measures that will support Canadian businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 1, the Department of Finance announced the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): 

“The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

To help Canadians and businesses get through these tough economic times, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the Government is proposing to introduce a wage subsidy of 75 per cent for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

This measure, which is a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, would support businesses that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and would help protect the jobs Canadians depend on during these difficult times.

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
• Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
• Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
• For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
• An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.”

Federal finance minister, Bill Morneau, explained the impetus for the introduction of the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

“Businesses provide the jobs, the goods and the services that Canadians depend on to keep their communities going, in good times and bad. With the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, we are helping businesses keep their staff on payroll so that businesses will be better positioned to rebound when the current challenges have passed. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that workers and businesses are supported through the outbreak, and that our economy remains resilient during these difficult times,” Morneau explained in a press release.

Additionally, the Law Society of Ontario, which acts as the governing body for all lawyers and paralegals in the province, issued a corporate statement regarding COVID-19:

“The Law Society of Ontario, which successfully implemented a work at home plan for its own employees effective March 16, encourages all law offices and paralegal offices to do the same by operating remotely and virtually wherever feasible.  

Since the onset of this unprecedented event, we have seen the legal community respond as leaders in innovative and creative ways by adapting their practices to ensure continued access to justice for clients. These important measures contribute to our collective efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Government of Ontario has deemed law offices and paralegal offices as essential workplaces. As such, law offices and paralegal offices are permitted to remain open, to address instances when remote business practices are not feasible. Further information and a full list of businesses that are permitted to stay open can be found on the Government of Ontario website.

This information follows Orders issued by the Government of Ontario which require the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces effective as of Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m.

We extend our gratitude to the public we serve and our licensees as we adapt, respond and support each other to ensure the administration of justice continues, and that the legal community supports broader efforts to facilitate social distancing and to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

We are living in the midst of truly unprecedented times. Indeed, the global COVID-19 pandemic will be regarded as the defining moment of the modern age. Yet, this crisis will come to an end, and we will prevail. In the interim, stay safe, stay well, stay connected to family, friends, and neighbours, and be kind.

Sarah Bauder

Sarah Bauder is a senior content specialist at Little Dragon Media. Sarah has a degree in journalism and has a decade of experience writing content at numerous renowned publications. She enjoys writing about digital marketing, business, entrepreneurship and more.