Lawyer review sites offer a wealth of information, from peer ratings to client testimonials, helping individuals make informed decisions when choosing an attorney. Recent law firm marketing statistics reveal that 48% of potential clients are likely to visit a website after viewing recent, positive reviews, underscoring the importance of these platforms.
These platforms are not just about star ratings; they're about building trust, showcasing expertise, and ultimately, attracting more clients. In fact, over 65% of potential law firm clients consider company ratings to be a moderate or extreme influence on their hiring decision. With so many review sites out there, which ones should you focus on to maximize your law firm reviews and client attorney review ratings?
We've done the legwork for you. This guide dives into the top 12 best lawyer review sites of 2024, offering insights on how to optimize your presence on each platform. We'll explore how these sites can impact your firm's reputation and share strategies for garnering positive reviews.
Top 12 Best Lawyer Review Sites
Lawyer review sites are the modern-day word-of-mouth, influencing decisions and shaping perceptions. The reviews on these sites hold more weight than those on your website. While they all serve the same purpose, they have different approaches to using and optimizing them for visibility. We will discuss 10 top options and provide tips to boost your lawyer ratings.Â
1. Avvo
Avvo is one of the most popular lawyer review sites, offering a comprehensive platform for legal professionals to connect with potential clients. While Avvo reviews may hold less weight for the average consumer, they're highly regarded within legal circles.
Avvo automatically generates a profile for attorneys, which can be claimed and optimized. The platform allows users to search for lawyers based on location, practice area, or name, making it easier for potential clients to find the right legal representation.
— How to Increase Your Avvo Attorney Rating
Avvo has a variety of metrics and tools that are valuable for lawyers to use that can be found on the site. Increasing your Avvo rating is a simple process and can be done in several ways. Here are some key strategies:
- Claim and complete your profile: Add detailed information about your experience, qualifications, and services. Include a professional bio, specify your practice areas, and list your contact details.
- Showcase your expertise: Avvo displays your cases in a pie chart, grouping them by practice area. This visual representation can help potential clients quickly understand your areas of specialization.
- Highlight your achievements: Use the resume section to list your experience, publications, and awards. This comprehensive overview of your career can impress potential clients and colleagues alike.
- Be transparent about costs: Clearly state your pricing structure and mention any perks like free consultations. This transparency can help manage client expectations and prevent billing disputes.
- Seek endorsements: Connect with colleagues and encourage them to leave professional endorsements on your profile. These peer recommendations provide additional validation of your expertise and standing in the legal community.
- Encourage client reviews: Client reviews are a critical factor in determining your Avvo rating. Encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences on the platform. These reviews offer potential clients valuable insights into the quality of your services and your ability to meet client needs.
2. Martindale-Hubbell
Martindale-Hubbell is widely regarded as one of the most established and respected legal directories in the industry. Its longstanding reputation and comprehensive approach to lawyer ratings have made it a benchmark for other legal directories.
This platform goes beyond basic contact information, offering a thorough overview of your legal expertise. Client reviews on Martindale-Hubbell are based on a five-point scale, covering various aspects of your professional abilities, from legal knowledge to communication skills. This multifaceted approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of your legal practice.
— How to Increase Your Martindale-Hubbell Law Firm's Rating
Enhancing your Martindale-Hubbell rating involves demonstrating your legal expertise and client satisfaction. Here are strategies to improve your standing on this platform:
- Understand the rating system: Martindale-Hubbell employs a tiered system, ranging from AV Preeminent (4.5-5.0) to Rated (1.0-2.9). Each tier represents different levels of professional excellence and ethical standards.
- Request a rating: Contact Martindale-Hubbell's customer support team to initiate the rating process. You'll need to provide basic information about yourself and your firm.
- Gather peer references: Collect and submit at least 18 peer references using Martindale's nomination tool. The more references you have, the better your chances of a higher rating.
- Follow up with references: After submitting your list, reach out to your references to encourage their participation. Martindale typically allows two weeks for references to respond.
- Encourage client reviews: While peer review ratings are important, client reviews also play a significant role in your overall rating. Encourage satisfied clients to leave feedback on your Martindale profile.
- Keep your profile updated: Regularly update your profile with new achievements, publications, and areas of practice to showcase your ongoing professional development, peer review ratings.
3. Thumbtack
Thumbtack stands out as a versatile platform connecting clients with a wide range of professionals, including lawyers. With nearly 5 million user reviews and over 300,000 lawyers listed, it's a significant player in the legal services marketplace. What sets Thumbtack apart is its accessibility - posting your firm is free, and potential clients only pay $250 per hour for consultation.
The platform allows clients to search for lawyers based on reviews, pricing, and specific criteria, making it an invaluable resource for those seeking legal guidance, advice, or representation. Lawyer reviews on Thumbtack use a straightforward five-star rating system, providing clear and quick insights for potential clients.
— How to Optimize Your Thumbtack Profile to Get More Lawyer Reviews
If you have an active Thumbtack profile and are not getting the results you hoped for in terms of client reviews, there are a few tweaks that could improve your performance.
- Complete your profile thoroughly: Provide comprehensive information about your law firm, including your areas of expertise, experience, and the services you offer. Keep this information up-to-date, reviewing it at least quarterly.
- Use high-quality profile photos: A professional photo can make a strong first impression. Update your photos regularly to keep your profile fresh.
- Craft a compelling description: Clearly articulate why clients should choose your firm. Use relevant tags in the Services section to improve your visibility in searches.
- List your services and costs: Provide a detailed list of your services and their associated costs. This transparency can help attract clients who are looking for specific services within their budget.
- Actively seek reviews: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on your Thumbtack profile. While you can't solicit reviews directly on the platform, you can ask clients to share their experiences after your services are completed.
- Respond to reviews promptly: Engage with both positive and negative reviews professionally. This demonstrates your commitment to client satisfaction and can help mitigate the impact of any negative feedback.
4. FindLaw
FindLaw is a trusted resource for both lawyers and clients, offering a comprehensive directory of legal professionals. The platform allows users to search for attorneys by name, legal issue, or law firm, making it easy for potential clients to find the right representation.
— How to Optimize Your FindLaw Profile to Get More Attorney Reviews
A good FindLaw profile can help you get more client referrals and increase your online presence. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your FindLaw profile:
- Enable ratings and reviews: Ensure that the review feature is activated on your profile. Once that's out of the way, direct your previous clients to the ‘Write a Review' button so they tell you about their personal experiences.Â
- Complete your profile in detail: Fill out every field in your profile thoroughly. An incomplete profile might give the impression of unprofessionalism, potentially causing potential clients to look elsewhere.
- Link to your website and social media: Make sure your profile includes active links to your website and social media pages. This provides potential clients with additional avenues to learn more about your services and rates before making contact.
- Keep information current: Regularly update your profile with the latest information, including contact details, areas of practice, and recent accomplishments.
5. Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a respected American consumer organization with a century-long history of compiling client review ratings for businesses across North America. Its longevity and extensive membership base make it a go-to resource for consumers seeking trustworthy service providers, including legal professionals.
The BBB features a dedicated law firm section, complete with ratings, reviews, and contact information for each firm. This comprehensive approach makes it an effective tool for identifying top law firms and guiding potential clients in their selection process.
A strong BBB rating can significantly enhance your law firm's SEO performance, improve your local search ranking, and ultimately help you attract more clients.
— How to Increase Your Law Firm's Better Business Bureau Rating
Improving your BBB rating requires a focus on customer service and prompt issue resolution. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Understand the BBB rating system: The BBB bases its ratings on two key factors: The speed at which a law firm addresses customer complaints and the fairness with which a law firm handles client complaints
BBB grades range from A+ to F. An A+ indicates consistent excellent customer service and prompt complaint resolution, while lower grades suggest areas for improvement in client relations and ethical practices. - Monitor your BBB rating regularly: For newer firms, check your rating every few weeks until you have sufficient data points to establish a reliable rating trend.
- Respond promptly to customer complaints: Whether filed directly with the BBB or through credit card disputes, swift and professional responses to client issues can significantly impact your rating.
6. Yelp
While Yelp is often associated with restaurant and retail reviews and is not legal-specific, it is used by legal clients. Many potential clients turn to Yelp when searching for legal representation, making it a valuable tool for law firms to showcase their services and receive client feedback.Â
— How to Optimize Your Yelp Profile to Get a Better Attorney Rating
To leverage Yelp effectively and improve your attorney rating, consider these approaches:
- Claim and complete your Yelp Business Page: Create a comprehensive profile that includes your firm's name, address, contact information, working hours, and high-quality photos of your office.
- Add visual content: Include 4-6 high-quality images that showcase your office, both inside and out. Visual content can make your profile more engaging and attractive to potential clients.
- Link to your website: Include a link to your law firm's website. This not only provides more information to potential clients but can also help improve your search engine rankings.
- Use relevant keywords: Use relevant keywords in your profile to improve discoverability. Examples include "Legal Consultants," "Criminal Defense Attorney," "DUI Attorney," "Family Law Attorney," and "Personal Injury Attorney."
- Encourage client feedback: While directly soliciting reviews on Yelp violates their terms, you can encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences after case resolution.
7. Facebook
With over 3.07 billion users worldwide, Facebook offers a massive potential audience for law firms. It's not just a social network; it's a platform that offers opportunities for targeted marketing, lead generation, and client engagement.
— How to Optimize Facebook to Have a Better Attorney Rating
For starters, create an account on Facebook Business Manager and verify your business page with a phone number or email address associated with your firm. This will give you access to analytics data about your page, such as how many people have viewed it and what they've clicked on.
Then, follow these tips to make sure that when people search for lawyers on Facebook, they find yours:
- Post regularly: Share valuable content such as legal tips, case studies, or industry news to keep your audience engaged.
- Time your posts strategically: Use Facebook Insights to determine when your audience is most active and schedule your posts accordingly.
- Share diverse content: Mix up your posts with articles, videos, infographics, and live Q&A sessions to cater to different audience preferences.
- Engage with your audience: Respond promptly to comments and messages. This shows that you value client communication.
- Use call-to-action buttons: Utilize Facebook's CTA features to guide users on how to interact with your firm online.
8. Google Reviews
Google Reviews often serve as the first point of contact between potential clients and your law firm. When someone searches for you or your law office on Google, Google lawyer reviews are typically the first result they see. When law firms use Google Reviews, a client can share their experiences with different lawyers and provide feedback. The reviews appear in Google Search or Maps next to your Business Profile.
— How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Law Firm
To increase your Google Reviews and improve your online reputation, consider these strategies:
- Create a Google Business Profile: Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile to ensure your firm appears in local search results.
- Make it easy for clients to leave reviews: Implement a systematic approach to requesting reviews. Send follow-up emails after client meetings, including a link to your Google Business Profile and a request for feedback.
- Ask for reviews at the right time: Request feedback after successfully concluding a case, when the client is likely to be most satisfied with your services. Furthermore, automate review requests through your CRM or law practice software. This can help ensure consistent outreach to clients for reviews.
- Respond to all reviews: Whether positive or negative, respond professionally to all reviews. This shows that you value client feedback and are committed to client satisfaction .
9. Justia
Justia has been a respected name in the legal community for over two decades. It offers a comprehensive database of lawyers, their credentials, and details about their services. Justia's online directory makes it easy for potential clients to find and compare attorneys based on their location, practice areas, and client reviews.
— How to Increase Your Attorney Justia Rating
As with any review site, there are a lot of factors that go into how your profile will rank on Justia. Here are some tips for improving your Justia client review ratings:
- Ensure your profile information is current and comprehensive: Include details such as your bio, practice areas, costs, jurisdiction, location, work history, associations, and publications.
- Encourage peer reviews: Direct colleagues to the "Review This Lawyer" section of your profile. Peer endorsements can significantly boost your credibility on the platform.Â
10. Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a prestigious rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers. It is primarily utilized by clients, peers, and former employers. Its annual publication, Super Lawyers Magazine, highlights various aspects of lawyer ratings and reviews, making it a respected resource in the legal community. The selection process involves peer nominations, independent research, peer evaluations, and the final selection.
Super Lawyers is a comprehensive rating system that rates attorneys across the country in more than 70 areas of law and every state and territory in the United States. Lawyers are rated by Super Lawyers annually and are calculated using 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.Â
The Peer recognition is broken down into three categories:Â
- The lawyer's professional experience
- The lawyer's education and training
- The lawyer's record of professionalism
Each category is then assigned a weighting factor multiplied by the number of points the lawyer has in each category. The results are added together to create an overall rating score.
— How to Increase Your Lawyer Rating via Super Lawyers
While the Super Lawyers selection process is rigorous and independent, there are ways to improve your chances of being recognized:
- Excel in your practice: Consistently deliver high-quality legal services to build a strong reputation among peers and clients.
- Engage in professional development: Participate in continuing legal education, publish articles, or speak at legal conferences to demonstrate your expertise.
- Build professional relationships: Network with other attorneys who may nominate you for Super Lawyers recognition.
- Maintain ethical standards: Uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in your practice.
11. Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com is a popular platform for both clients and attorneys, providing a reliable directory of legal professionals across the U.S. Founded by Martindale-Hubbell, the platform allows users to search for attorneys by location and practice area. With a focus on client reviews and peer ratings, Lawyers.com is trusted by consumers and legal professionals for its accurate and insightful ratings based on communication, responsiveness, and legal outcomes.
— How to Optimize Your Lawyers.com Profile to Attract More Clients
An optimized Lawyers.com profile can significantly increase your client referrals and enhance your online presence. Follow these tips to make the most of your profile:
- Enable ratings and reviews: Activate the review feature to allow clients to share their experiences. Encourage your previous clients to leave reviews by directing them to the ‘Write a Review’ button on your profile.
- Complete your profile thoroughly: Ensure that every section of your profile is fully filled out. A detailed profile reflects professionalism and helps potential clients get a clear understanding of your expertise.
- Include links to your website and social media: Add active links to your website and social media pages, providing potential clients with more information about your services and background before reaching out.
- Keep your information up to date: Regularly update your profile with the latest contact information, practice areas, and recent accomplishments to ensure accuracy and relevance.
12. NOLO
NOLO is a well-established legal platform that provides both a wealth of legal resources and a comprehensive lawyer directory. Founded in 1971 as a self-help legal publisher, NOLO has expanded into a trusted resource for legal information and attorney reviews. Its lawyer directory allows users to find attorneys based on location and practice area, with detailed profiles that include client testimonials and ratings.
— How to Optimize Your NOLO Profile to Attract More Clients
An optimized NOLO profile can enhance your online presence and attract more clients. Here are some tips to help you maximize your profile:
- Enable ratings and reviews: Activate the review feature so clients can share their experiences. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews by directing them to the ‘Write a Review’ option on your profile.
- Complete your profile fully: Ensure all sections of your profile are thoroughly filled out. A detailed profile showcasing your expertise helps potential clients make informed decisions.
- Add links to your website and social media: Include active links to your website and social media accounts, giving potential clients more ways to learn about your services before contacting you.
- Keep your profile updated: Regularly update your profile with current contact information, practice areas, and recent accomplishments to maintain accuracy and professionalism.
How Can Popular Lawyer Review Sites Impact Your Law Firm's Reputation and Business Success
Lawyer review sites wield significant influence over your firm's reputation and business prospects. These platforms shape potential clients' perceptions before they even reach out to you. Let's explore the multifaceted impact of these sites:
- Boost online visibility: Positive reviews can elevate your law firm’s search engine rankings, making you more discoverable to potential clients. This increased visibility can translate directly into more leads and inquiries.
- Sway decision-making: Trust is paramount in the legal industry, so online reviews hold substantial sway. Potential clients often rely on these testimonials to gauge the quality and reliability of legal services before making a choice.
- Generate qualified leads: As your positive reviews improve your search rankings, your website is more likely to be seen by individuals actively seeking legal services.
- Differentiate your firm: A robust collection of favorable testimonials can set you apart from competitors, potentially tipping the scales in your favor when clients are deciding between multiple options.
- Build trust and credibility: Positive reviews serve as social proof, building trust with prospective clients before they even interact with your firm. This pre-established credibility can smooth the path to client acquisition.
It's worth noting that consumers overwhelmingly gravitate towards law firms with review scores of 4 or 5 stars. This shows the importance of maintaining a positive reputation across review sites. Therefore, you need to leverage the power of positive reviews and actively encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences.
How to Get Online Reviews on a Lawyer Review Site
Google reviews impact local search, though less than distance. Â Still, proactively ask clients for reviews (provide a direct link to simplify the process!). Â Always respond professionally, as Google highlights review words that match user searches. While you can't control reviews, your responsiveness demonstrates professionalism.
It can seem daunting to solicit reviews at first. Following these steps can make the process seamless for you and your clients.
- Mention reviews at the beginning and end of providing legal services
- Follow the rules of each review platform
- Consider using a review management tool
- Provide customers with a list of review sites
While reviews are exceptionally helpful, customer testimonial videos are even more valuable. If you have extremely satisfied clients, ask if they would consider offering a brief testimonial on camera.
Top Tools for Collecting Lawyer Reviews
Collecting lawyer reviews is crucial for building credibility and attracting new clients. Tools that simplify the review collection process can help attorneys improve their lawyer profiles on top lawyer review sites. These tools automate the process of requesting feedback after resolving legal issues, ensuring positive experiences are shared and boosting visibility.
Tools to Help Collect Lawyer Reviews:
- Clio Grow: Automates review requests after cases close.
- Podium: Collects reviews via text messaging and integrates with multiple platforms.
- Birdeye: Streamlines review requests and management across platforms.
- ReviewTrackers: Monitors and gathers reviews across top sites to improve client satisfaction.
- NiceJob: Sends automated reminders to clients to leave reviews easily.
Check the ABA Rules on Attorney Ratings Reviews
The American Bar Association (ABA) established guidelines to ensure transparency and ethical conduct in lawyer ratings and reviews. You need to familiarize yourself with these rules to maintain your integrity and professional standing.
According to the ABA ethics rules, lawyers cannot directly respond to negative reviews or criticism online. This is to prevent potentially escalating the situation or drawing unnecessary attention to negative feedback. Instead, if a non-client posts a negative review, you can request its removal from the website. For reviews from actual clients, it's best to address the issue personally, either in person or over the phone.
When it comes to soliciting reviews, the specific guidelines in Rule 7.2-Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services: Specific Rules. These rules prohibit offering rewards in exchange for reviews, as this could create a conflict of interest. It's also unethical to request reviews while a case is still pending or to pressure clients by setting deadlines for leaving reviews.
Remember, fake reviews are not only unethical but can severely damage your firm's reputation if discovered. Always prioritize genuine feedback from actual clients.
See Which Lawyer Review Sites Actually Important to You
A strategic approach can help you focus your efforts where they'll have the most impact. Start by conducting two separate Google searches.
First, search for your practice name and note the sites on the first page that allow reviews. You'll likely encounter platforms like Google Business Profile, Avvo, Yelp, and social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
Next, search for keywords related to your practice area and location. Again, make a list of the review sites that appear on the first page of the results. This two-pronged approach will help you prioritize which platforms to focus on when claiming and optimizing your profiles.
Incorporate Lawyer Review Sites into Your Regular Routine
Make lawyer review sites a part of your daily routine to significantly enhance your firm's online presence. Begin by setting aside time daily to check your profiles on these platforms. This regular monitoring allows you to stay on top of new reviews and respond promptly when necessary.
Reach out to satisfied clients and kindly ask them to share their experiences on your profiles. To make this process easier, provide clear instructions on leaving a review on your website or through direct communication. The simpler you make it for clients, the more likely they are to follow through.
Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, demonstrates your commitment to client satisfaction. It shows potential clients that you value feedback and are dedicated to maintaining high standards of service.
Lastly, keep your profiles current by regularly updating them with recent cases, awards, or other relevant information. This ongoing maintenance ensures that potential clients see an accurate and up-to-date representation of your firm when they visit these sites.
Attorney Review Sites to Build Your Law Firm's Reputation
There are tons of lawyer review sites out there for evaluating attorneys. Not only will these online reviews help clients better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each lawyer, but they're a great advertising and trust-building method.
If getting your firm on so many sites feels overwhelming or you're just not seeing results from your efforts, you should opt for a professional legal digital marketing agency. An attorney SEO agency like Grow Law Firm will help you optimize your law firm, measure the necessary data, and design or redesign your website to get more revenue and increase your firm's profit.
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