We’ve all started to settle into 2017. Many people reading this probably don’t write as many checks as they used to, but if I did, I’d like to think that we’re far enough in that I wouldn’t have to write a 7 over a hastily scribbled 6.

It’s still a new year, however, and it’s a good time to think about how lawyers and law firms can improve their online presence. Research shows that people tend to discount reviews that are more than a year old. The best way for lawyers to address this is to make reviews an ongoing part of their online marketing efforts by asking clients to submit reviews on a yearly basis.

Asking clients to submit reviews should be a regular part of your business. But if it’s not and it’s something you’re looking to focus on more this year, check out our blog post on how to ask clients for reviews.

If you already have a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, does that mean you can cross peer reviews off your list for 2017? Absolutely not — even if your rating is AV Preeminent. If you walked into a restaurant and all of the awards on the wall were a decade old, what would that tell you about that business? Would you wonder why they hadn’t received any recent awards? Potential clients will have the same thoughts when comparing attorneys based on reviews and deciding whom to hire.

Call it a resolution if you will, but why not kick off the new year with new client reviews and a new Peer Review Rating? For more information on peer and client reviews, visit our website.