Firms who do not proactively engage with online reviews and associated platforms run the risk of falling behind their competitors who do and losing out on future work.
The warning comes from online review platform ReviewSolicitors who have been tracking recent trends in online review management identifying the way search engines like Google respond to organisations that consistently connect with their reviews.
Reviews play a crucial role in improving local search rankings online. According to Google’s Business Profile guidelines, three key factors determine local ranking success: relevance, distance, and prominence. A law firm’s prominence is determined by great reviews; demonstrating reviews are vital to achieving better visibility in local search results say ReviewSolicitors.
“Prominence is determined by the information Google collects about a business from various sources across the web.
says Adam Hall, Head of Partnerships at ReviewSolicitors.
“The Google star-rating of a firm and the amount of reviews they have will influence their local search ranking. This means that more reviews and higher ratings can help improve your business’s visibility in local search results.”
Google is now prioritising and highlighting businesses that respond to reviews promptly over those that are slower to engage. This increased activity also subsequently increases a law firm’s online prominence.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have collaborated with organisations like ReviewSolicitors to encourage law firms to interact with their reviews, improving transparency and enhancing client satisfaction within the legal sector.
“Reviews are a vital part of decision-making in our everyday life. From big ticket items like holidays to tiny electronics,”
adds Hall emphasising reviews are no longer simply a ‘nice to have’, they are an integral part of the client journey.
“Legal services are very much included in this trend. As the age of the “family law firm” disappears, it is replaced by a much more digital experience. In today’s modern society, a prospective client will always consult online resources before instructing a firm.”
“This is why ReviewSolicitors have invested in a partnership with Today’s Conveyancer – the review platform wishes to open up a line of communication with the readership on why client reviews should be a central feature of a law firm’s marketing strategy.”
Today’s Conveyancer keeps readers up to date with news across the property sector, with daily news output distributed online. Through social media, e-newsletters, regular features, and commentary, important insight is distributed from across the profession.
ReviewSolicitors are now the latest service provider to engage in the advertising partnerships, which enable the publication to remain free to read.
“Reviews are becoming an increasingly influential factor in the decision-making process for the home-moving public.”
Concludes Hall.
“Reviews are the new digital equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendation, and firms should act now to ensure they remain relevant in 2025 and beyond.”