Finding The Perfect Legal Client App

Every business wants to be able to give its customers an end-to-end experience, and a legal client app is the key to doing that. Today’s customers demand convenience and flexibility in how they interact with businesses - having a customer portal in place will meet their needs while also providing the security you need to keep data safe. This article will discuss the key features to look for when selecting a customer portal provider, so you can find the best fit for your business.

What Is a Client Portal?

Simply defined, a client portal is a type of online software used to share information securely between a company and its customers. It enables clients to access data that’s specific to them, like account details, invoices, documents and other private files.

You might find a client portal as part of a software suite that handles the entire customer relationship management (CRM) process. But, more often than not, it’s offered as an individual solution to provide customers with a secure way to access data and documents.

The seamless and self-serving nature of client portals has made them a popular choice for companies looking to streamline their customer service. They’re used widely in many industries, such as healthcare, financial services and software development. Although the functionalities and services of these sectors can vary, client portals always serve the shared purpose of providing secure access to relevant private data.

Do I Need a Client Portal?

No one's going to force you to invest in client portal software for your business. But the benefits of doing so are more than obvious. In many cases, organizations find themselves in direct need of the help that this type of solution can provide. Let's take a look at some contextual factors that could help you decide if a client portal is the right choice for your business:

Remote Working

If your customer base is distributed across multiple locations, or you're providing remote services to clients around the world, then a client portal can help keep everyone in sync and easily share relevant information.

Data Security and Compliance Needs

Good client portals are built with data security in mind. They’re designed to keep customer information safe and secure, while following the relevant data privacy regulations like GDPR. This is especially important for businesses that handle sensitive information such as financial or medical records which must remain confidential to meet compliance requirements and protect customer data.

High Customer Service Demand

Receptionists and admin staff only have so many hours in the day. If ones at your company spend most of their time taking phone calls and handling requests that could be otherwise delegated to an automated system, then it's likely a client portal will payoff in increased operational productivity.

Services That Require Status Updates and Notifications

Businesses like law firms, architecture firms and many others need to stay in frequent communication with their clients. Legal client apps provide the perfect place to share progress updates, project documents and other information. Automated notifications can also be sent through a client portal informing clients when their order is complete or when they have certain tasks to execute.

Are Client Portals Secure?

The benefits of a client portal are only worthwhile if your business' sensitive data is kept safe. And while it would be great to be able to say that every option out there can fulfill such a responsibility, the fact of the matter is different. Client portals can indeed be very secure, but it ultimately depends on the vendor you get them from.

Good client portal examples share common features like server-side security, encryption, and multi-factor authentication to ensure that any data customers put into the system is adequately protected and that no one but authorized users can access it. The most secure client portal systems also offer granular control over who has access to data, so you can tailor the security settings according to your customer's needs.

But aside from tangible features, any client portal app that claims to be secure should have clear policies in place when it comes to data sharing and storage. Read through the vendor's terms of service carefully, so you can be sure that your customers' data won't end up somewhere it shouldn't or get shared without their knowledge. Ask questions if you don't understand something, and make sure the vendor is GDPR compliant. Ultimately, a company's overall character and respect for its customers can be very telling in how well they'll take care of your customers' data.

What Makes a Customer Portal Good?

Like any business investment, it's in your best interest to find the best customer portal possible before signing onto and implementing one. Easier said than done, sure. But doing homework now will ensure you don't have any regrets down the road.

Here are a few tips to help guide your browsing journey:

Look for Comprehensive Security

When it comes to customer portals, security should be your top priority. Your customers rely on you to keep their data safe and secure, so make sure that whatever portal you choose has strong encryption and uses multiple layers of authentication. You also want to make sure the vendor offers 24/7 monitoring and regular security updates to ensure that your customers' data remains secure throughout its life cycle.

Seek Out Convenience and Usability

The best client portal softwares are those that are intuitive, easy to navigate, and offer a pleasant user experience. Look for one that is mobile-friendly so your customers can access data and interact with customer service on the go.

Reputable

Don't trust your customers' experience with just any vendor - work with one that has a reputation for providing reliable customer service and support. Reviews, testimonials, and referrals can all serve as great resources for gauging customer satisfaction.

Flexible Pricing Options

Customer portals can come with a variety of pricing options. Make sure the one you choose has flexible plans that accommodate your budget yet still provide all the features and functionality.

Customer feedback can help you determine which vendors are the best fit for your needs.

Looking for a Great Legal Client App? Try Case Status.

You can spend hours endlessly searching the internet for the best client portal software and evaluating the options you find as explained above - or choose to skip the hassle and get straight to the benefits with Case Status. Our customer portal is mobile-friendly, reliable, and comes with flexible pricing plans to fit any budget. We also offer comprehensive customer service and support to ensure your customers have a consistently enjoyable experience. Get in touch today for more information!