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Boost Your Law Firm’s Reputation: 10 Tips to Get More Customer Reviews
In today’s digital landscape, online customer reviews have become the modern equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations for law firms. Potential clients often trust these online testimonials nearly as much as personal referrals. In fact, around 70% of people would choose an attorney with positive online reviews—even if the firm is not conveniently located nearby. This makes building a solid base of client reviews essential for enhancing your firm’s reputation and attracting more clients. Building a strong customer review strategy is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve your law firm’s online presence. So, how can small or medium-sized law practices ethically encourage more client feedback?
In this blog, we will share 10 practical tips designed to help your firm collect more—and better—customer review. You will find digital strategies, like optimizing your Google Business Profile, alongside personal touches, such as sending handwritten thank-you notes. These tips are versatile and effective across various practice areas, whether you specialize in personal injury, family law, criminal defense, or general practice.
What Is a Customer Review Strategy?
A customer review strategy is a structured plan for requesting, collecting, managing, and leveraging customer reviews across various platforms such as RunSensible Pro, Google, Facebook, industry-specific sites, or your website. It’s not just about getting more reviews—it is about getting the correct reviews, responding appropriately, and using that feedback to improve your business and attract new customers. Responding to reviews is a crucial part of this process, as it shows your customers that you value their feedback and are committed to providing excellent service.
This strategy typically includes:
- When and how to request reviews
- Which platforms to focus on
- How to handle negative reviews
- Ways to promote positive testimonials
10 Practical Tips to Collect More Customer Review
Customer reviews can do wonders for your business—they help build trust, improve your online visibility, and even boost sales. But let’s face it: getting those reviews does not always happen on its own. You need a solid strategy to make it work. Whether you are just starting out or looking to fine-tune your current approach, these 10 practical tips will help you encourage more customers to leave meaningful feedback and keep your business growing strong.
1. Deliver Exceptional Customer Service from Day One
The foundation of great reviews is excellent service. No amount of asking will help if clients are not satisfied. Make client satisfaction your top priority – communicate, meet your promises, and go the extra mile. This means being responsive to client needs, explaining legal issues in plain language, and showing empathy during stressful times. Every practice area can benefit from this approach: a family lawyer might guide clients through emotional situations with compassion, while a business attorney can prioritize prompt, efficient service. Clients who feel cared for and see good results will be far more likely to sing your praises online.
Above all, aim to exceed expectations. A delighted client often will not even need a prompt to leave a glowing review – your outstanding work will speak for itself. Focusing on improving the client experience at every step sets the stage for positive feedback and a more substantial reputation for your law firm.
2. Ask for Reviews at the Right Time
Timing is everything when requesting a review. The best moment to ask is immediately after a successful outcome or positive interaction. For example, if you just won a case or achieved a favorable settlement for a client, do not hesitate to request feedback while the good news is still fresh politely. There is no better time to ask for a review than when your client is happiest right after winning their case. This might be when charges are dropped or a compensation award comes through in a criminal defence or personal injury matter. In family law, it may be after a smooth adoption process or custody agreement. When clients feel relief and gratitude, they are in the ideal mindset to reflect positively on your service.
You can ask in person during your final meeting, over the phone, or in a follow-up email. Keep the request simple and genuine. By striking while the experience is still top-of-mind, you greatly increase the chances that the client will follow through and write a review.
3. Make It Easy for Customers to Leave a Review
Even happy clients might procrastinate on writing a review if the process is confusing or time-consuming. Your job is to remove any hurdles and make leaving a review as easy as possible. Start by providing clear, step-by-step instructions on exactly how and where to leave feedback. Many people are unsure how to review a law firm on Google or find your profile on Yelp – so guide them.
Here are a few ways to simplify the review process for clients:
- Direct Links: Include direct hyperlinks to your review pages (Google and RunSensible Pro) in your follow-up emails or text messages. One click should take them straight to where they can write a review, without searching.
- QR Codes: Consider creating a QR code that leads to your firm’s review page. You can print this on a thank-you card or display it at your office reception. Tech-savvy clients can scan and be instantly directed to write a review.
- Simple Instructions: Provide a short how-to if your typical clientele is not very tech-savvy. Keeping it short and jargon-free will encourage clients of all ages to participate.
By making the review process straightforward and convenient, you respect your client’s time and increase the likelihood that they will submit a review. As one legal marketing article advises, hopping online to leave a review will not be on a client’s to-do list unless you make it “as simple as possible”. So, streamline the steps and watch the number of reviews grow.
4. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
When it comes to online reviews, Google is king. A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the most visible and important review platform for most law firms. Start by claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile so your firm appears on Google Maps and local search results. Ensure your profile has your correct address, phone number, hours, and a brief description of your services. A complete profile looks professional and helps clients find you easily.
Next, encourage clients to leave reviews on Google. Google reviews do not just sit on your profile – they actively boost your local SEO. A high volume of positive Google reviews makes your firm more likely to appear in local searches for legal services. In other words, good reviews can help new clients discover you. Plus, people trust Google reviews: they are nearly as valuable as a personal referral in terms of building trust. A potential client who sees a string of 5-star Google reviews for your law firm will feel more confident reaching out.
Make it easy by sharing your Google review link with clients (you can generate a short URL that leads directly to the “Write a Review” popup). Also, respond to any Google reviews you get (more on responding later) to show you appreciate the feedback. Optimizing your Google Business Profile and populating it with client reviews is one of the quickest ways to boost your law firm’s reputation online.
Why Lawyers Need to Have a Profile on RunSensible Pro
5. Claim Your Profiles on Key Review Sites
Do not limit your reputation to just one platform. Clients find lawyers on various websites, so cast a wide net. Claim and update your firm’s profile on all major review sites relevant to law firms. This typically includes:
- RunSensible Pro: A legal directory focused on attorneys. RunSensible Pro allows clients to rate lawyers and is often frequented by those seeking business law, intellectual property, or other specialized legal services. Having good reviews can bolster your credibility among a more legally informed audience.
- Google Business Profile: As mentioned, it is a must-have for visibility on Google search and maps.
- Facebook: Facebook is not just social networking – firms can have pages where clients leave recommendations. It is excellent for showcasing community engagement. A Facebook recommendation from a client can spread to their network, extending your reach
By encouraging clients to leave reviews on the platform they are most comfortable with, you will gather diverse testimonials. Moreover, having reviews across multiple sites means your positive feedback is visible in more places and less dependent on any platform’s policies or popularity. This diversified approach strengthens your online reputation and helps prospective clients find you wherever they search.
6. Follow-up with Friendly Email or Text Reminders
Often, clients intend to leave a review but get busy and forget. A polite follow-up can gently remind them. Send a thank-you email a few days after the case is closed, expressing your gratitude for their trust in your firm and kindly requesting a review. Timing is essential – do not wait too long. Aim to reach out shortly after the representation ends while their experience remains fresh. For example, an email might go out 3-5 days after you have won a client’s personal injury settlement or finalized their divorce, thanking them and including a direct link to leave a Google or RunSensible Pro review.
Do not limit follow-ups to just email. People have different communication preferences, so consider a quick text message for tech-savvy clients or a mailed thank-you card with a review request for those who might appreciate a personal touch. One attorney noted that multiple methods – like an email followed by a text with the review link – can significantly boost response rates. The key is to be politely persistent without crossing into annoyance. One gentle reminder is usually enough; you do not want to spam your clients. By courteously following up, you will capture reviews that might otherwise be forgotten.
7. Integrate Review Requests into Your Firm’s Process
Requesting feedback should be a routine part of your workflow. When wrapping up a case, have a standard checklist item for a review request. This could be as simple as your receptionist or paralegal having instructions to ask, “Would you be willing to share your experience with our law firm in an online review?” during the client’s final visit or phone call. Standardizing review requests in your closing procedures ensures it does not fall through the cracks. Every satisfied client should get a gentle nudge to leave a review as part of your case closure process. Training your team is crucial here. Make sure everyone from partners to support staff understands the importance of client reviews and knows how to ask for them tactfully. Consistency is key – if one attorney always asks and another never does, your results will vary. Instead, create a firm-wide culture where feedback is valued. You might hold a brief training or provide a script so that the ask is always professional and on-brand.
Also, consider using technology to automate parts of this process. For instance, your practice management or CRM software like RunSensible might trigger an automatic review request email once a case file is closed. There are even specialized tools that help send out and manage review invitations. The idea is to set it and forget it – by building review solicitation into your regular operations, you will not miss opportunities. Over time, this consistent approach can significantly increase the volume of feedback you receive, bolstering your online reputation systemically.
8. Showcase Testimonials and Reviews on Your Website
Do not let great reviews languish unseen on third-party sites. Show them off to new visitors on your website. Creating a dedicated “Testimonials” or “Client Reviews” page on your law firm’s site is an excellent way to leverage social proof. On this page, compile some of your best client quotes and testimonials. You can pull excerpts from Google or RunSensible Pro reviews (with permission) or include longer client success stories. Organize them in an appealing format – for example, list the review snippet, the client’s first name and last initial (to maintain some privacy), and maybe the type of case or a small photo if the client is comfortable with that.
To populate your reviews page, you will need to gather those testimonials. Often, it is as easy as asking a satisfied client if you can feature their kind words on your site. Many will say yes when asked politely. If someone wrote you a thank-you email or a handwritten note, that could be gold for a testimonials page (again, get permission and redact any sensitive details). You might even write up a short case study for bigger wins and include the client’s positive comments about working with you.
Make sure to update your reviews page regularly as you get new positive feedback. A stale page with only old testimonials can make your firm look inactive. Fresh reviews show that you are consistently providing great service. Additionally, highlight a variety of reviews that touch on different strengths – one might praise your communication, another your courtroom skill, another your compassionate approach. This variety helps paint a well-rounded picture of your firm’s capabilities.
Having these testimonials on your site not only impresses potential clients but can also help with SEO. New, keyword-rich content (like “attorney helped me in my personal injury case”) can improve your search visibility. More importantly, seeing real client experiences on your website builds trust. In general, A well-planned customer review strategy can significantly boost your brand’s credibility and SEO rankings.
9. Respond to Every Review – The Good and the Bad
Getting reviews is only step one; engaging with them is equally vital for your law firm’s reputation. Always take the time to respond thoughtfully to client reviews, whether they are glowing or critical. When someone leaves a positive review, reply with a sincere thank you. A quick note like “Thank you for your kind words – it was our honor to help you” shows appreciation and that honest, caring people are behind the firm. Responding to good reviews reinforces the client’s positive feelings and signals to others that your firm values feedback. It can even encourage other happy clients to chime in after seeing that you read and reply to reviews.
For negative reviews, as hard as they are to see, do not ignore them. Prospective clients judge your firm by the complaint and how professionally you handle it. Respond promptly and empathetically: apologize if appropriate or acknowledge the person’s frustration. Keep it brief and never reveal confidential details about their case (ethics rules forbid disclosing client information, even if the client posts about it). Invite the unhappy client to contact you offline to resolve the issue. A swift, calm response can transform a bad situation into an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to client service.
By addressing criticism head-on, you show integrity and care. Future clients browsing your reviews will see that even when something went wrong, you tried to fix it. Sometimes, a person might even update a negative review to a higher rating if you resolve their complaint. At the very least, your professionalism in responding can impress others reading the exchange.
Remember, responding to reviews is not just about customer service—it is also good for SEO and visibility. Regularly responding keeps your online profiles active and signals engagement to search engines, which can indirectly boost your rankings. Moreover, it encourages more clients to leave reviews, knowing you listen. So, make it a habit to reply to reviews promptly, with gratitude for positives and grace under pressure for negatives. It is a crucial part of reputation management that can strengthen trust in your law firm.
10. Encourage Reviews Ethically and Show Appreciation
While you should never buy reviews or pressure clients, there are ethical ways to encourage more feedback. Show your appreciation for clients’ time and opinions. Sometimes, a small gesture can motivate a happy client to write a review. For instance, you might send a personalized thank-you note or a token of gratitude after closing a case – not as a quid pro quo for a positive review, but as a genuine thanks for their business. This warm gesture can set the stage to ask for an honest review. Some firms also offer small incentives like entry into a raffle, a discount on future services, or a gift card for anyone who provides feedback.
Another powerful approach is to engage clients through appreciation events or surveys. Hosting a client appreciation event (like a small open house, luncheon, or webinar for former clients) strengthens relationships and opens the door to feedback. During or after the event, you can invite attendees to share their experiences with your firm. Have a kiosk or iPad set up for quick reviews or send a follow-up email thanking them for attending and kindly asking for a review. Clients will often be happy to oblige, especially after enjoying a thoughtful event in their honor. Even a simple client satisfaction survey sent out post-case can identify your happiest clients–you can follow up with those who gave you high ratings and request a public review from them.
The key is to keep all review solicitation above board and client-focused. Never script reviews or pressure anyone who does not seem comfortable. Encourage feedback to improve your services and help others find trustful legal help. When clients see that you truly value their input and demonstrate gratitude for their time, they will be more inclined to support you with a positive review. By cultivating this open, appreciative relationship, you will naturally get more legal reviews that boost your firm’s reputation.
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Final Thoughts
In today’s referral-driven world, online customer reviews can make or break a law firm’s reputation. If you are wondering how to get legal reviews without sounding pushy or inauthentic, the answer lies in consistent, ethical, and client-focused strategies. From improving client service to making, it easy to leave feedback, every step you take should reinforce trust and show appreciation.
Collecting quality reviews is not about gaming the system—it is about delivering results, asking at the right time, and making the process simple. It is about creating a firm culture that values feedback and understands how much a few thoughtful words from a client can influence someone else’s decision to hire you.
Law firms that make review requests part of their closing process have a clear customer review strategy that drives results. Implementing these strategies takes effort, but the long-term payoff is worth it: a stronger reputation, better visibility, and more clients who already trust you before the first consultation.
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Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.
