Picture someone who has just been told they're being made redundant. Or a couple who've decided to separate. Or a small business owner whose supplier has stopped paying.
It's late in the evening. They pick up their phone and search "solicitor near me."
They'll tap on two or three firms. They'll spend about ten seconds on each. And they'll contact whichever one makes it easiest and feels the most trustworthy.
If your firm's website gets that wrong, you never find out. There's no angry email and no complaint, just an enquiry that never arrived. For a law firm, a single lost client can mean thousands of pounds, so these small website problems add up quickly.
Here are the five mistakes I see most often on law firm websites, and how to fix each one.
Mistake 1: Making It Hard to Get in Touch
This is the most common problem, and the most expensive.
People looking for a solicitor are often stressed, worried or in a hurry. They don't want to hunt through menus to find a phone number. If the contact details are buried in the footer, or the only option is a long form with eight required fields, many will simply go to the next firm on the list.
The fix:
Put your phone number at the top of every page, and make it tap-to-call on mobile
Add a short enquiry form with only the basics: name, phone or email, and a short message
Offer a call-back option, or WhatsApp if it suits your firm
Show your opening hours and how quickly you usually reply
Every extra step between "I need help" and "I've contacted them" loses you people.
Mistake 2: A Slow, Outdated Mobile Site
Most people searching for a solicitor do it on their phone, often away from a desk. If your website takes five seconds to load, has tiny text, or needs pinching and zooming to read, they'll leave before they've read a word.
It also affects how Google sees you. Speed and mobile usability are part of how websites are ranked, so a slow site can hold you back in search results too.
The fix:
Test your site on your own phone, on mobile data rather than office wifi
Compress large images and remove heavy plugins you don't use
Use a clean, modern layout where the main action (call or enquire) is always visible
Check your speed with Google's free PageSpeed Insights tool
A website is often the first impression of your firm, so a slow one can look careless before you've said a word.
Mistake 3: One Page for Every Service
Many law firm websites have a single "Our Services" page listing everything: family law, conveyancing, employment, wills, probate, and more, all squeezed into a paragraph each.
The problem is that Google can't rank one page for ten different searches. Someone searching "conveyancing solicitor" or "employment law solicitor" is looking for a page about exactly that. If you don't have one, a competitor who does will get the visit.
The fix:
Create one dedicated page for each practice area. Each page should explain:
Who the service is for
The common situations people come to you with
How the process works, in plain English
What happens after they contact you
A short FAQ that answers real questions
Mention your location naturally, for example "family solicitors in Leeds." This helps you appear for local searches and gives clients exactly what they were looking for.
Mistake 4: Not Showing Why People Should Trust You
Hiring a solicitor takes a lot of trust. Clients are sharing private, sometimes painful details, so they look for reassurance before they get in touch.
Many firm websites give them very little: no photos, no names, and nothing that makes the firm feel like real people.
The fix:
Add proper photos of your team, with short, friendly bios
Show your regulatory information clearly, such as your SRA number and any accreditations, as your regulator requires
Display genuine client reviews, with permission and in line with your professional rules
Explain your fees or how pricing works. Many people avoid contacting firms because they fear a surprise bill
Write in plain English, not heavy legal language
A website that feels human and open does more to win clients than any slogan.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Google Business Profile and Reviews
When people search "solicitor near me," Google usually shows a map with three firms at the top, above most normal website results. Those spots are driven largely by your Google Business Profile and the reviews on it. (The same applies to other local businesses. I explained how it works in my guide on how furniture stores can get more customers from Google, and the principles are identical for law firms.)
Many firms claim the profile once, then never update it or ask anyone for a review.
The fix:
Choose the right main category (such as "Solicitor" or "Law firm") and add your specific practice areas
Fill in every detail: address, opening hours, phone number, website and description
Add real photos of your office and team
Ask satisfied clients, at a suitable moment, to leave an honest review, and make it easy with a direct link
Reply to every review professionally, including negative ones, and never share confidential case details in a reply
Never buy or fake reviews. It breaks Google's rules and, for a regulated profession, it can damage your reputation far more than it helps.
Quick Checklist for Your Firm's Website
Open your own website on your phone and ask:
Can I find the phone number within three seconds?
Does the page load quickly?
Is there a separate page for each service we offer?
Can I see who the solicitors are, with photos?
Are our regulatory details and reviews visible?
Does our Google Business Profile look complete and active?
If you answered "no" to more than two of these, your website is probably losing you enquiries right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a law firm website cost in the UK?
It varies widely. Small firms can find a professional website from a freelancer from around £1,000 to £4,000, while agencies often charge much more for larger, custom builds. The price depends on the number of pages, features and whether SEO is included.
How long does it take for a law firm website to start ranking on Google?
Usually several months. Local searches can move faster if your Google Business Profile is strong, but nobody can honestly promise a fast first-page ranking.
Do solicitors need a separate page for each practice area?
It's strongly recommended. Separate pages let you rank for specific searches and give potential clients exactly the information they came for.
Should a law firm website have a blog?
It helps, if the articles answer real questions your clients ask. Keep them useful and general, and avoid anything that could be mistaken for legal advice.
Where to Start This Week
You don't have to fix everything at once. Try this order:
Make your phone number and enquiry button impossible to miss
Check your website speed on mobile
Complete your Google Business Profile
Plan a separate page for your most important practice area
Small changes like these often make a noticeable difference to how many enquiries come in.
About the Author
I'm Mohammad Awais, a web and mobile software engineer based in Lahore, Pakistan. I build fast, modern, search-friendly websites for businesses, including shops, restaurants, roofing companies and other service businesses, using tools like Next.js, React and WordPress. You can see examples in my portfolio.
I work with UK business owners remotely, which keeps my prices lower than many UK agencies. I keep things simple: a clear fixed quote, no hidden fees, no jargon, and quick replies on WhatsApp or email.
Want a Website That Brings in More Enquiries?
Whether your firm already has a website that isn't performing, or you don't have one yet and want to get it right from the start, I can help.
Already have a website? Send me the address and I'll give you an honest review of what's holding it back, with no pressure and no obligation.
Don't have one yet? Tell me about your firm and the services you offer. I'll recommend what you need and send you a clear, fixed quote, with no hidden fees and no jargon.
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Prefer to chat first? Message me on WhatsApp or email contact@awaiscoder.com.
