Did you know that 80% of prospective clients look at an attorney’s online reviews before hiring them?
For small law firms, reputation isn’t just about courtroom victories or satisfied clients — it’s also about the reviews people share online about their experience working with you.
The reality is, your prospective clients are beginning their search for legal counsel online, relying heavily on online reviews to evaluate you. These reviews provide a window into past clients’ experiences with you and vouch for your credibility. They're often the deciding factor when choosing between firms. Consider these compelling statistics:
49% of clients trust reviews as much as they trust referrals from family and friends.
88% of clients are more likely to use a business that responds to reviews.
71% of customers will update negative reviews if a business responds to them.
To use your online reputation to your advantage, it should be a cornerstone of your marketing strategy. Managing it effectively is essential for building trust, improving visibility, and winning new clients.
Reviews as a Marketing Priority
Reviews do more than build credibility; they also influence your Google ranking and help prospective clients feel confident in choosing your firm. The more positive Google reviews your firm has, the higher it ranks in local search results and Google Maps listings, which typically deliver significant business for law firms.
Positive reviews also provide social proof, showing potential clients that you deliver quality service. To gather reviews consistently, you can proactively ask satisfied clients for feedback. For example, after a successful case, you can send a follow-up email inviting clients to share their experiences on Google, Facebook, or Yelp. You’ve likely seen this strategy in action after purchasing a product or service for yourself, and it works just as well for law firms.
And responding to reviews — whether they’re glowing or critical — further enhances your reputation, because clients and search engines alike favor businesses that engage with their audience.
Why responding to reviews matters:
It demonstrates that you value feedback and are committed to client satisfaction.
It creates a dialogue, which humanizes your firm.
It allows you to reply to and provide full context behind unwarranted negative reviews, which are often inaccurate.
And remember to treat social media comments as reviews, too. Engaging with comments on platforms like Facebook and Instagram is equally important in maintaining a positive online reputation.
What It Takes to Manage Your Law Firm’s Digital Reputation
Managing your digital reputation might seem like a daunting task, but it starts with a few simple, consistent practices:
Ask for reviews: Regularly reach out to satisfied clients and encourage them to share their experiences online. A direct email or text message after a case is resolved can go a long way.
Monitor your online presence: Keep track of reviews on platforms like Google Business, Yelp, and Facebook, as well as your firm’s social media profiles.
Respond to all feedback: Acknowledging both positive and negative reviews shows that you value client input and are committed to improving. For negative feedback, a thoughtful response can often turn the situation around.
Engage on social media: Treat comments and messages on your law firm's social media profiles as reviews, responding promptly to build trust and maintain a professional online presence.
These steps are critical to ensuring your firm stands out online, but they can also be time-consuming for small law firms that don’t have time to spare — especially when you factor in the number of platforms to monitor and the need to respond to comments thoughtfully and efficiently.
Reputation Management as a Service
Reputation management services can help simplify the work. For example, Legalfit's Reputation Management solution offers tools and support to streamline these tasks, allowing you to focus on your clients.
Here’s how it works:
Request reviews with ease: Send personalized review requests via email or text directly from the platform.
Respond efficiently: Use AI-generated responses to quickly craft professional replies to reviews.
Centralized dashboard: Manage all reviews and social media comments from a single location.
Managed service option: Let Legalfit’s experts handle review monitoring, response management, and even social media engagement.
Whether you prefer a hands-on approach or want professionals to take the reins, Legalfit provides flexible solutions tailored to your needs.
Your Digital Reputation Is a Cornerstone of Success
A strong online reputation is built through consistent client care and active engagement. By prioritizing reputation management and your firm’s online reviews, you’ll enhance your credibility and give your law firm a competitive edge.
If managing your reputation feels like a challenge, consider partnering with a service like Legalfit to streamline the process. Start building the kind of online presence that inspires confidence and drives new clients to your firm.
