What do the SRA Transparency Rules require on a law firm website?
Firms regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority that offer certain services must publish price and service information for them, including likely costs, what is included and the experience of those doing the work. All firms must publish their complaints procedure and display the SRA digital badge on their website.
The services covered include residential conveyancing, probate (uncontested estates), motoring offences, employment tribunal claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal, debt recovery, immigration applications (excluding asylum) and licensing applications for business premises. Check the current scope with the SRA, as the rules are kept under review.
Transparency pages work best when they are designed as useful content rather than a compliance afterthought. A clear conveyancing costs page, for example, answers one of the most common questions clients ask and can earn visibility in search and AI answers.
- Price information: total cost or average cost range, the basis of charges, disbursements and VAT.
- Service information: key stages, typical timescales, and what is and is not included.
- People: the experience and qualifications of those carrying out the work and their supervisors.
- Complaints: how to complain, and details of the Legal Ombudsman and when clients can contact it.
- SRA digital badge: displayed prominently, usually in the site footer, using the SRA's official code.
How do clients choose a solicitor online?
Private clients choose on relevant expertise, cost clarity, reviews, responsiveness and whether the firm seems approachable. Business clients look for sector knowledge, the seniority of the people involved and evidence of similar matters. Both increasingly start with a search, compare several firm websites and contact the one that answers their questions most clearly.
Many people approach a solicitor at a stressful moment: a bereavement, a divorce, a dismissal, a dispute. Plain English, a calm design and an obvious next step matter more than impressive language. Lawyer profiles with real photos, specialisms and contact details give prospects a person to trust rather than a brand.
Which features should a solicitor's website include?
A solicitor's website should include one page per practice area, transparency pages for the specified services, lawyer profiles, guides answering common legal questions, a complaints page, the SRA digital badge, firm and regulatory details, and a confidential enquiry form or callback request. Online quotes for conveyancing are a strong addition.
| Feature | Purpose | Required or recommended |
|---|---|---|
| SRA digital badge | Verifies regulation in real time | Required for SRA-regulated firms |
| Complaints information | Explains the complaints process and the Legal Ombudsman | Required |
| Price and service pages | Covers the services named in the Transparency Rules | Required where those services are offered |
| Practice area pages | One area per page, matched to one search intent | Recommended |
| Lawyer profiles | Shows expertise and puts faces to the firm | Recommended |
| Instant conveyancing quote | Captures high-volume, price-sensitive enquiries | Recommended |
| Legal guides and FAQs | Answers questions, builds authority | Recommended |
How should law firms handle confidential enquiries?
Keep the first contact light. Ask for name, contact details, the area of law and a brief, non-sensitive summary, and say clearly that the firm cannot act until conflict checks are complete. Use secure forms, a clear privacy notice and controlled internal routing so enquiries reach the right team quickly.
Response time is a major factor in winning instructions. Route enquiries by practice area and track them in a CRM system, so each one is acknowledged and followed up. For firms with high volumes, custom web development can add instant quote calculators, secure onboarding and identity verification steps that connect to case management software.
Personal data must be handled under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and analytics or marketing cookies need prior consent under PECR.
How can solicitors improve their search visibility?
Solicitors improve search visibility by giving each practice area its own focused page, publishing accurate guides that answer real client questions, maintaining a complete Google Business Profile for each office, building genuine client reviews and keeping the site fast and technically sound. Authority comes from depth and accuracy, not volume.
Legal content falls into the category where search engines look hard for expertise and trustworthiness. Name the author, show their qualifications and date each guide. Our SEO services and SEO-friendly website checklist explain the foundations.
What does a law firm website cost?
As a typical UK market guide, a custom-themed WordPress site for a smaller firm costs around £3,000 to £10,000 excluding VAT. Larger multi-office firms with many practice areas usually need a bespoke corporate site, typically £8,000 to £30,000 or more. Quote calculators and portals are priced as custom development.
| Type of law firm site | Typical range | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Custom-themed WordPress site (smaller firm) | £3,000–£10,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Bespoke corporate site (larger firm) | £8,000–£30,000+ | 2–4 months |
| Custom web application (portal, quote engine) | £15,000–£100,000+ | 3–6+ months |
These are indicative ranges from the wider UK market, not a Freehand HQ quote. Larger firms may also want to see our corporate website design service.