In the highly competitive legal industry, establishing a strong online presence across different rating and review sites for lawyers is an essential digital marketing strategy, especially when it comes to improving local SEO performance and attracting customers who are ready to schedule a consultation right away.
When people search for a nearby attorney, they're often in urgent need of legal advice and are likely to choose one of the top few lawyers or law firms they come across in local search results to contact or book an appointment with.
By getting listed and collecting ratings and feedback on the best lawyer review sites, attorneys can increase their chances of reaching potential clients right when and where they're needed most!
Why Do Attorney Rating Sites Matter for Local SEO?
Attorney rating sites do more than simply showcase a lawyer's skills or reputation; they play a critical role in a firm's local SEO, improving local search rankings and increasing visibility throughout search results, from the top map pack results down through organic results.
Improved Search Rankings and Potential To Appear in the Local PackÂ
Appearing on multiple general local business listing platforms and legal industry-specific attorney rating sites signals to search engines that a firm is reputable, which in turn can improve local search rankings, potentially even earning them a coveted spot in Google's local pack.
High-quality backlinks to a law firm's website from reputable attorney review sites also improve domain authority, making it easier to rank for relevant keywords in organic search results.
Increased Visibility in Organic Search Results
Although it's true that people often choose a local business from the Google Maps results at the top of Google Search results, the legal industry is one where people might be more inclined to browse other review sites for lawyers.
Listings and reviews on additional platforms often appear in organic search results, below the local pack results, and thus can increase a firm's exposure to customers who prefer to choose a lawyer from a dedicated attorney rating site or another trusted review platform that they come across in the organic results.
Top Review Sites for Lawyers To Improve Their Local SEO:
- Google Business Profile
- Avvo
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Lawyers.com
- FindLaw
- Super Lawyers
- Justia
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
- Apple Maps
1. Google Business Profile
Being the most important business listing platform for local SEO, Google Business Profile, or GBP, is a must-have for attorneys.
With a Google Business Profile listing, attorneys can not only improve their chances of appearing in the local pack results at the top of Google Search results, but also help customers find them on Google Maps. The more GBP reviews you collect, the better your chances are of appearing at the top of results.
2. Avvo
Avvo is one of the most recognized attorney review sites, specializing in providing attorney ratings based on experience, client reviews, and peer endorsements. Users can search Avvo for lawyers by area of specialty and location, then sort results by "best reviewed," "most reviewed," and even the number of years lawyers have been licensed.
Being well-rated on Avvo can definitely boost a law firm's visibility and credibility, especially since this site often ranks well in search engine results pages (SERPs).
3. Martindale-Hubbell
Martindale-Hubbell, now part of the Martindale-Avvo Legal Marketing Network, is a trusted name in the legal industry, with a well-known peer review rating system that provides insight into an attorney's professional abilities and ethics.
This site has a unique credibility factor because of its historical reputation, and it often appears on the first page of search results for attorney-related queries.
4. Lawyers.com
Powered by Martindale-Hubbell, Lawyers.com provides a comprehensive directory and an attorney rating system that can drive significant traffic to a lawyer's website.
Lawyers.com has a user-friendly layout and allows clients to leave detailed reviews, which contributes to its SEO value and makes it easier for potential clients to make informed decisions.
5. FindLaw
FindLaw offers a mix of attorney ratings, editorial content, and legal resources, making it a solid choice for attorneys looking to boost their SEO presence. FindLaw results pages can rank well organically, making it one of the most popular platforms for attorneys looking to gain visibility for searches with local intent.
6. Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a highly selective attorney rating site that recognizes top-rated lawyers based on peer evaluations and professional achievements. Featuring on this site adds credibility, and its rigorous selection process increases trustworthiness, appealing to clients who are looking for the best legal services available.
7. Justia
Justia is not only a review site for lawyers, but also a valuable source of legal information, with a large database of case law, codes, and legal articles. By creating a profile on Justia, attorneys can showcase their expertise while boosting local SEO performance.
8. Yelp
While Yelp may not be attorney-specific, it is still a powerful review platform for local SEO. Potential clients searching for nearby services often turn to Yelp for reviews, as it's one of the most trusted business listing and review sites beyond Google Business Profile.
Attorneys with positive Yelp reviews and an optimized profile are more likely to be found in local searches, as Yelp pages often appear at the top of organic search results. Bing's map results for local searches sometimes even feature Yelp business listings, potentially showing users a lawyer's Yelp rating and business information at the top of Bing search results.
9. Better Business Bureau
A Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating can lend a ton of credibility to a law firm, especially if an attorney's practice is registered as a BBB-accredited business. BBB pages also appear high up in search engine results, providing additional visibility.
Since the BBB is such a long-standing, well-known organization, some users might even search for a lawyer using terms like "BBB accredited lawyer near me," ensuring they find highly trustworthy legal practices nearby.
10. Apple Maps
Getting listed and collecting ratings on Apple Maps, via a Place Card, is essential for attorneys who want to increase visibility among Apple users, who represent a significant portion of mobile traffic and are increasingly using Apple Maps over Google Maps on their iOS devices.
Although Apple Maps currently only allows users to rate businesses directly on the platform in certain areas, it also frequently pulls ratings for businesses from Yelp. So, if you want to use Apple Maps as an attorney rating site, make sure your law firm is also on Yelp!
The Bottom Line
Establishing a strong presence on reputable attorney rating sites is a powerful strategy to improve local SEO and reach clients exactly when they need help. By creating profiles and collecting customer reviews on these platforms, attorneys can build credibility, increase visibility in search engine results, and ultimately attract more clients in their target markets.
