How can a law firm get more Google reviews?
Ask every client at the end of a matter, by email or text with a direct link, and let them decide how much to say. When you reply, never confirm that someone is a client or mention their matter, because client confidentiality applies to public replies too. Agree the approach with your compliance officer.
By Sammy Morgan, who runs M1 Studio in Chichester. Updated .
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- Industry
- Solicitors
- Problem
- Too few Google reviews
- The fix
- Local Search Fix, £800
- Do it yourself?
- Yes, the first steps below
Why it happens to solicitors.
- Many matters are private
- People are happy to review a house purchase, but less keen to write publicly about a divorce or a will. The firm ends up with fewer reviews than the work deserves.
- Nobody asks at the right moment
- The best time is just after completion or the end of the matter, when the client is relieved. Weeks later, the moment has passed.
- Replies are tricky
- A negative review tempts a firm to explain. But client confidentiality covers former clients too, so the reply has to say very little. Your compliance officer should agree the approach.
- Reviews spread across sites
- Clients leave reviews on Google, on legal review sites and on Trustpilot. Google reviews are the ones people see next to your map listing.
What to do, in order.
Ask every client, not just the happy ones
Google doesn’t allow review gating, where you only ask people you expect to be positive. Send the same request to every client when a matter closes.
Make it easy and private-friendly
A direct link to your Google review form, and a line saying they don’t need to mention details of their matter.
Prepare neutral reply wording
Thank the reviewer without confirming they were a client, and invite them to contact the firm directly. Agree the wording with your compliance officer.
Never offer anything for a review
Google’s policies don’t allow reviews in return for a discount or gift.
Set up automatic requests
The Local Search Fix (£800) fills in your Google profile and sets up review requests that ask every client at the end of a matter.
Where M1 can do it for you.
Fixed prices, or a fixed quote before any work starts. No VAT is charged. Any running costs are listed before you agree.
- Local Search Fix £800
Your office’s Google profile filled in with your practice areas, and a review request that goes to every client when a matter closes.
Look right when locals search for what you do.
- Missed-Call Rescue £800
Its review requests go out on their own, alongside a text back for missed calls and one list for new enquiries.
Missed calls get a text back, automatically.
Want to check the rest of your business first? Take the free Scorecard: 12 questions, about 3 minutes.
Before you decide.
Something else? Ask Sammy on WhatsApp.
Can we reply to a bad review from a former client?
You can, but keep it general: thank them, say you take feedback seriously and invite them to contact the firm. Don’t confirm they were a client or discuss the matter. Check your approach with your compliance officer: M1 gives no legal or regulatory advice.
Is it all right to only ask clients who were happy?
No. That’s review gating, and Google’s policies don’t allow it. Ask everyone the same way.
How do I ask without it feeling awkward?
Make it part of closing the file, in the same email as the final letter, with one link. The guide to getting more Google reviews has example wording.
Keep reading.
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