Do Online Reviews Matter for Law Firms?

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In this digital age, one can’t help but think that online reviews can make or break a lawyer’s reputation. One wrong review posted on social media, for example, will have a catastrophic impact on the career of a lawyer. The same can be said when it comes to law firms. In a survey, it was found out that 97% of potential legal clients will read online reviews and recommendations before they call a particular law firm. But just how important are these online reviews?

A recent study of 316 participants showed that 264 out of them want a law firm to have a four-star (out of five) review. Online reviews have always been important, but who knew it was this big of a deal when it comes to law firms? Clients choose law firms the way they select which restaurant to go to for dinner.

They don’t consider the factors of why a law firm, for example, may get a one-star rating. Maybe that client felt wronged because he lost his case? But why did he lose the case? He could’ve lied on the stand, and that led to the defeat. Online reviews won’t reflect these elements, of course.

What Do Potential Clients Learn from Online Reviews?

Online reviews and recommendations are the best marketing strategies for any law firm. There is no question that lawyers benefit from these reviews. Whenever someone is looking for a criminal defense lawyer (which is a huge decision to make because good lawyers will literally get a person out of imprisonment), potential clients will dive into search engines looking for attorneys who can present their cases in court.

While word-of-mouth recommendation is still one of the best forms of marketing strategies, how many people do you know are walking around with a defense lawyer’s name in their minds? The first thing that potential clients will do is to look at online reviews. Here, they can find out if a lawyer is credible, trustworthy, and relatable.

Most potential legal clients will have little experience in choosing a law firm. It’s not every day that you find yourself needing a lawyer. At most, this is the first time for many. Trust will play a big role in the decision-making process. The client needs to be comfortable enough to share all the necessary details with the lawyer.

How Does a Law Firm Obtain Online Reviews and Testimonials?

Law firms have to ask for them. Some people may think that it doesn’t sound too professional for law firms to ask for client testimonials. But the truth is that law firms have no way to survive in this new digital world if they don’t know how to go down a notch and ask for what they need. Clients, especially those who are truly happy with the services of the law firm, will be elated to share this information with their family and friends. They’ll want to give back to the law firm by recommending it to their network.

Where should clients leave their testimonials? Aside from the actual website of the law firm, they can write and post reviews on LinkedIn, Facebook, and local directories. They can even make a video testimonial and make it shareable through platforms like YouTube. They don’t have to make this on their own. Law firms can schedule a Zoom or Skype call so the clients can record the testimonial through there.

When asking clients for testimonials, you must make it easy for them to create one. Don’t let them make too much of an effort because they will either delay giving you one or forget about it. Task someone to work with the clients who are willing to provide a testimonial. Make sure you also give them a little token of your appreciation for their kind words.

After the clients have given testimonials, you have to make sure that these are prominently displayed on your website and social media pages. What is the use of these testimonials if potential clients will not see them? Law firms have to use these testimonials to engage current clients and attract new ones.

Like any business, law firms need clients to survive. They need a constant stream of clients who will pay for their services. These businesses are not immune to needing marketing strategies to outwit the competition. But without the clients’ testimonials, it is almost impossible for law firms to attract their target market and prove their competency. Online testimonials will not only humanize these law firms, which always seemed to be too formal and cold, but they’re also going to bring interest and actual clients to your doors.

In this digital age, one can’t help but think that online reviews can make or break a lawyer’s reputation. One wrong review posted on social media, for example, will have a catastrophic impact on the career of a lawyer. The same can be said when it comes to law firms. In a survey, it was found out that 97% of potential legal clients will read online reviews and recommendations before they call a particular law firm. But just how important are these online reviews?

A recent study of 316 participants showed that 264 out of them want a law firm to have a four-star (out of five) review. Online reviews have always been important, but who knew it was this big of a deal when it comes to law firms? Clients choose law firms the way they select which restaurant to go to for dinner.

They don’t consider the factors of why a law firm, for example, may get a one-star rating. Maybe that client felt wronged because he lost his case? But why did he lose the case? He could’ve lied on the stand, and that led to the defeat. Online reviews won’t reflect these elements, of course.

What Do Potential Clients Learn from Online Reviews?

Online reviews and recommendations are the best marketing strategies for any law firm. There is no question that lawyers benefit from these reviews. Whenever someone is looking for a criminal defense lawyer (which is a huge decision to make because good lawyers will literally get a person out of imprisonment), potential clients will dive into search engines looking for attorneys who can present their cases in court.

While word-of-mouth recommendation is still one of the best forms of marketing strategies, how many people do you know are walking around with a defense lawyer’s name in their minds? The first thing that potential clients will do is to look at online reviews. Here, they can find out if a lawyer is credible, trustworthy, and relatable.

Most potential legal clients will have little experience in choosing a law firm. It’s not every day that you find yourself needing a lawyer. At most, this is the first time for many. Trust will play a big role in the decision-making process. The client needs to be comfortable enough to share all the necessary details with the lawyer.

How Does a Law Firm Obtain Online Reviews and Testimonials?

Law firms have to ask for them. Some people may think that it doesn’t sound too professional for law firms to ask for client testimonials. But the truth is that law firms have no way to survive in this new digital world if they don’t know how to go down a notch and ask for what they need. Clients, especially those who are truly happy with the services of the law firm, will be elated to share this information with their family and friends. They’ll want to give back to the law firm by recommending it to their network.

Where should clients leave their testimonials? Aside from the actual website of the law firm, they can write and post reviews on LinkedIn, Facebook, and local directories. They can even make a video testimonial and make it shareable through platforms like YouTube. They don’t have to make this on their own. Law firms can schedule a Zoom or Skype call so the clients can record the testimonial through there.

When asking clients for testimonials, you must make it easy for them to create one. Don’t let them make too much of an effort because they will either delay giving you one or forget about it. Task someone to work with the clients who are willing to provide a testimonial. Make sure you also give them a little token of your appreciation for their kind words.

After the clients have given testimonials, you have to make sure that these are prominently displayed on your website and social media pages. What is the use of these testimonials if potential clients will not see them? Law firms have to use these testimonials to engage current clients and attract new ones.

Like any business, law firms need clients to survive. They need a constant stream of clients who will pay for their services. These businesses are not immune to needing marketing strategies to outwit the competition. But without the clients’ testimonials, it is almost impossible for law firms to attract their target market and prove their competency. Online testimonials will not only humanize these law firms, which always seemed to be too formal and cold, but they’re also going to bring interest and actual clients to your doors.