Have you ever used client portal software? Even if you haven’t, it’s likely that you will in the near future, especially with more attorneys working remotely and clients preferring not to visit the firm’s office for meetings.
What is Client Portal Software?
In simple terms, a client portal is software that enables attorneys to interact and collaborate with their clients in a secure online environment. As long as clients have internet access, they can log into your firm’s client portal to share and review documents, exchange messages, and undertake various other tasks. Attorneys can do the same.
Why Use Client Portals?
For many law firms, client portals have become the preferred solution for working with and communicating with clients. They allow everyone involved to review information at their convenience, regardless of their location.
Here are four reasons why client portals are an excellent idea for your law firm:
1. Enhanced Security for Attorney-Client Communication
When clients need to get in touch with their attorneys, what options do they have? Send an email? Call the firm’s reception? Use the lawyer’s direct line or mobile phone? Sometimes, clients attempt all of these methods, leaving attorneys to respond to each one individually, which wastes valuable time.
Law firm client portal software resolves this issue by creating a private space where clients and attorneys can communicate. This brings several advantages:
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More secure than email: First-rate client portals offer robust security for attorney-client communications and shared files. Emails can be vulnerable to hacking, and even if you take precautions to safeguard your firm’s email accounts, there’s no guarantee that your clients are doing the same. Secure client portals encrypt communications and protect them on both ends.
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Faster and easier communication: With a centralized location, client portals simplify things for attorneys. They no longer need to monitor multiple communication channels like email, phones, voicemail, and so on. By keeping everything in one place, attorneys can respond more promptly.
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Improved client experience: When using client portals, clients no longer need to decide which communication method is best for reaching their attorney. They can send their message, and the attorney can respond in the same location. No more playing phone tag or struggling to get in touch with one another.
If the technical expertise required to create a client portal concerns you, don’t worry. There are enterprise-level solutions available that offer easy-to-use client portals. They come ready-to-go out of the box, so you don’t need an engineering degree or coding background to quickly access the features you and your clients need.
2. Secure Client Portals Reflect the Modern Law Firm
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown law firms that physical office spaces and fancy lobbies are no longer as crucial as they once were. Clients no longer want to visit the office for every single meeting. They appreciate the simplicity of client portals and other online solutions. If clients perceive your firm as being outdated or lagging in technology, they may hesitate to do business with you.
As the attorney-client relationship increasingly transitions online, it’s important to ensure that your client portal looks professional. This fosters trust and confidence in your firm. After all, your client portal may become the primary platform for interaction between you and your clients, effectively replacing the traditional “lobby” of your firm. So, it’s important that it makes a good impression.
3. Streamlined Attorney-Client Collaboration
With client portals, sharing documents and files with clients, and vice versa, becomes effortless. You and your clients can discuss the documents and immediately exchange thoughts or concerns through the portal’s communication features. Some client portals even allow you to edit documents and create new versions, which your clients can see immediately.
No longer do you need to schedule client appointments or phone calls for discussing every single detail of a case. You can do it all within the client portal. This simplifies and streamlines the collaboration process.
4. Accessible 24/7 Client Portal Login
Speaking of collaboration, your clients can access the client portal on their own schedule, 24 hours a day. Whether it’s 2 am, 2 pm, or any time in between, clients can access, review, and provide feedback on any documents related to their case, all from any device.
Client portals offer clients on-demand access, enabling them to stay informed without directly contacting you.
Making the Best Choice for Your Law Firm
Recognizing the need for a client portal is the first step. Next, you need to figure out how to implement it. Given the range of solutions available today that include secure client portals, you have many options. The crucial factor is finding the solution that best fits your firm’s specific needs. Making the right choice can vastly improve attorney-client communication and increase firm efficiency, so approach the decision seriously.
When selecting the best solution for your firm, keep these four building blocks in mind that create a comprehensive client portal.
Remember, for all your law firm needs, you can rely on Garrity Traina. Visit Garrity Traina to learn more.
