The verdict in three sentences
A business law firm wins instructions on Google through precise practice-area pages, not through a flashy homepage. A sensible 2026 budget is 7,000 to 18,000 EUR (about 6,000 to 15,500 GBP) for the site, then 600 to 1,500 EUR per month of SEO for at least 12 months. Everything must follow the professional conduct rules: in London the SRA Transparency Rules and Code of Conduct, in France article 10 of the RIN: accurate information, no promise of outcome, no disparaging comparison.
What professional rules allow and forbid on the site
Law firm marketing is permitted but regulated. The most common mistakes come from copying aggressive US-style sites.
| Site element | Allowed | Compliance point |
|---|---|---|
| Practice areas | Yes, freely | "Specialist" claims must be accurate and provable |
| Client references | Yes, with written client consent | Confidentiality, no case details |
| Success rates, amounts recovered | Not advised | Must not mislead or promise outcomes |
| Indicative fees | Yes, often mandatory | SRA price transparency for some services |
| Google client reviews | Tolerated | No incentivised reviews |
| Domain name | Yes | Must identify the firm |
| Legal notices | Mandatory | Regulator, registration number, indemnity insurance |
Practical tip: have the partner responsible for compliance review the site before launch. Half a day of review avoids a complaint to the regulator.
Budget for the site and practice pages
To attract company directors, the site must answer precise queries: "share sale lawyer", "non-resident property company lawyer", "shareholders' agreement start-up". Each query deserves a 1,200 to 2,000-word page.
| Item | 2026 range | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Custom design | 2,500 to 5,000 EUR | 8 to 12 templates, firm branding |
| Development and CMS | 2,000 to 5,000 EUR | WordPress or headless, fast on mobile |
| Practice pages (20 to 40) | 2,000 to 6,000 EUR | Written by a legal copywriter, 100 to 150 EUR per page |
| Second language version | 1,000 to 2,500 EUR | International clients, foreign residents |
| Online booking | 0 to 600 EUR | Calendly or a dedicated module |
| Partner photography | 500 to 1,200 EUR | Half-day shoot |
| Total | 7,000 to 18,000 EUR | Timeline 6 to 10 weeks |
SEO: monthly budget and expected results
| SEO package | Monthly price | Content | Typical result at 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 600 EUR | 2 articles, technical monitoring | 15 to 25 queries on page one |
| Growth | 1,000 EUR | 4 articles, local link building | 40 to 70 queries on page one |
| Acceleration | 1,500 EUR | 6 articles, optimised Google profile, PR | 80 to 120 queries on page one |
| Google Ads as a complement | 800 to 2,500 EUR per month | Keywords at 4 to 12 EUR per click | Leads from month one |
Cost per click on "corporate lawyer" queries ranges from 5 to 12 EUR in a mid-sized city in 2026, and often more in central London. Organic SEO becomes profitable between month 8 and month 12.
Mini case study
Daniel, managing partner of an 8-lawyer business firm, invests 14,000 EUR in the site and 1,000 EUR per month in SEO, i.e. 26,000 EUR in year one.
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From month 9, the site generates 6 qualified enquiries per month. With a 30% conversion rate, that is about 2 new matters per month. Average fee for a share sale or property structuring matter: 6,500 EUR. Over months 9 to 12, 8 matters bring in 52,000 EUR in fees, twice the year's investment.
FAQ
Can we claim to be "specialists" in corporate law on the site?
Only if the claim is accurate and verifiable; in France it requires a CNB specialisation certificate. Otherwise, use "practice area", with no limit on number.
How many practice pages are needed at launch?
20 well-targeted pages are enough to start, then 2 to 4 new ones per month. An 8-lawyer firm typically covers 30 to 40 topics after 18 months.
Do we need a second language version?
Yes if you target foreign property buyers or international directors: by our estimates 25 to 40% of legal searches in international hubs come from non-residents. Budget 1,000 to 2,500 EUR.
Are Google reviews allowed?
They are tolerated as long as you do not offer anything in exchange. A profile with 20 reviews rated 4.7 or more clearly improves local visibility.
How long before first SEO results?
First rankings appear within 3 to 4 months, regular enquiries between 6 and 9 months with a budget of 1,000 EUR per month.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your practice areas, target clients and annual budget, and we will price the site, the practice pages and a 12-month SEO plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
