As we transition out of Daylight Saving Time (DST), it’s easy to forget to update important information such as your business hours. While this might seem like a small detail, keeping your law firm’s operating hours consistent across all platforms can significantly impact your client’s experience, trust, and your firm’s reputation. It’s crucial that clients find your firm open and ready to serve when they expect it, and inconsistency can result in confusion, frustration, and missed business opportunities.
In this blog post, we will guide you step by step on how to update your business hours across four major platforms: Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and your law firm’s website. By ensuring that your hours are accurate, you make it easier for potential clients to get in touch and build trust with your firm. Inaccurate information can cost you more than you realize—let’s explore why and how you can keep everything updated for maximum effectiveness.
Why Updating Your Hours Is Crucial 
1. Client Expectations and Trust
In today’s fast-paced world, clients don’t have time to waste. When a client searches for your law firm online, they expect to find the most accurate and up-to-date information. This includes everything from your contact details to your operating hours. If a client sees that your business hours are incorrect or inconsistent across platforms, it can lead to frustration and even a loss of potential business. For instance, if a client attempts to visit your office or schedule a consultation based on incorrect hours, they might end up disappointed and turn to another law firm.
An up-to-date schedule also reflects that your law firm is organized and attentive to detail. Clients feel more confident about hiring a firm that provides clear, accurate information and maintains consistency across all channels. Updating your hours after Daylight Saving Time ends ensures that your law firm is seen as trustworthy, professional, and easy to do business with.
2. Maintaining Online Visibility and Reputation
Your law firm’s business hours influence your online visibility on search engines and mapping services like Google. When your hours are up-to-date, your firm is more likely to appear in local search results, and clients are more likely to trust that your business is actively open and available. Google, in particular, uses your operating hours to help display your business listing in search results and on Google Maps, providing a seamless experience for clients.
On the flip side, if your hours aren’t updated after DST, your law firm might appear closed during times when you’re actually open, which can harm your reputation. Inaccurate information can also affect your search engine ranking, as search engines like Google prioritize businesses that provide accurate, relevant information to users. Moreover, clients might leave negative reviews based on their experience of trying to contact you during wrong hours, further harming your reputation.
Key Platforms to Update Your Law Firm’s Hours
To help ensure consistency and avoid any confusion, it’s important to update your business hours across several major platforms. Let’s break down the steps for updating your law firm’s hours on Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and your own website.
1. Google My Business (GMB)
Google My Business (GMB) is the cornerstone of your online presence. It directly impacts how your law firm is discovered in search results and on Google Maps, making it essential to keep your business hours accurate.
Here’s how you can update your business hours on Google My Business:
- Log in to your Google My Business profile.
- Navigate to the “Info” section in the left-hand menu.
- Locate the “Hours” field and click on the pencil icon to edit.
- Make the necessary adjustments to your regular hours and add any special hours for holidays or time changes (e.g., the end of DST).
- After saving the changes, Google will automatically update your business hours across Google Search and Google Maps.
By updating your GMB profile, clients will see the most accurate information when searching for your firm, ensuring a smooth experience.
2. Apple Maps
Apple Maps is used extensively by iPhone users, and it’s important that your law firm’s hours are updated on this platform as well. Clients may look for directions or contact information through Apple Maps, so it’s essential to ensure your hours are current.
Here’s how to update your business hours on Apple Maps:
- Go to Apple Maps Connect and log in with your Apple ID.
- Search for your business listing and click to edit your information.
- In the “Business Information” section, make the necessary changes to your business hours.
- Save your changes, and your business hours will be updated across Apple Maps.
Ensuring your business hours are updated on Apple Maps will help ensure that clients using iOS devices can easily find your law firm’s information.
3. Bing Places for Business
While not as widely used as Google, Bing is still an important search engine, especially in certain regions. Updating your law firm’s hours on Bing ensures that clients using Bing search will find accurate and up-to-date information.
To update your hours on Bing Places for Business:
- Visit Bing Places for Business.
- After logging in, search for your law firm’s listing.
- Edit your business hours in the “Business Details” section.
- Save your changes, and your updated hours will be reflected on Bing and Bing Maps.
While updating your hours on Bing might not reach as large an audience as Google, it’s still important to maintain consistency across multiple platforms.
4. Your Law Firm’s Website
Your website serves as your firm’s online business card, and it’s crucial that your operating hours are clearly visible there as well. Even if you’ve updated your hours on platforms like Google and Apple Maps, you don’t want to overlook your website.
To update your law firm’s hours on your website:
- Go to your law firm’s contact page or footer, where your hours are typically listed.
- Update your business hours to reflect any changes due to DST.
- Consider adding a dynamic scheduling tool that automatically adjusts for time changes like DST. Tools such as Calendly or Acuity Scheduling can sync with your calendar and automatically adjust to time changes, reducing the chance for errors.
Additionally, ensure that the information is easy to locate, especially for clients looking to schedule consultations or visits. Clear, updated hours on your website ensure a consistent client experience.
Tips for Keeping Your Law Firm’s Hours Consistent Across Platforms
Once you’ve updated your hours on Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and your website, it’s important to keep them consistent. Here are a few tips to help:
1. Regularly Review and Update Your Hours
Make it a habit to review your business hours regularly, at least once every quarter or when any changes occur. You should also revisit your hours during the transitions into and out of Daylight Saving Time, as these can affect the consistency of your information. Regular updates prevent issues from arising and ensure your firm’s hours are always accurate.
2. Use Scheduling Software to Automate Adjustments
Using scheduling software can save you time and effort. Many law firms use platforms like Calendly or TimeTrade to allow clients to schedule consultations or appointments directly. These platforms can automatically adjust for DST changes, so your business hours remain accurate without you needing to manually adjust them every time DST begins or ends.
3. Communicate Any Special Hours Clearly
If your law firm has special hours for holidays or other reasons, make sure to communicate this clearly across all platforms. Create a dedicated holiday schedule on your website and update your hours accordingly on platforms like Google and Apple Maps. This will ensure clients are aware of any changes and can plan accordingly.
With Daylight Saving Time ending, now is the perfect time to update your law firm’s hours across all relevant platforms, including Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and your website. Accurate and consistent hours help build client trust, improve your online visibility, and provide a smoother client experience. By taking the time to update your hours, you ensure that clients can easily find and contact your law firm, preventing confusion and missed business.
For more help optimizing your law firm’s online presence, contact Accelerate Now for a free discovery call. Our team is ready to assist you in ensuring your law firm stands out online and continues to grow.