Digital Audit Checklist: How to Conduct an SRA-Focused Review of Your Law Firm’s Website

Your website isn’t just your digital shopfront. It’s a compliance minefield waiting to trip you up if not properly managed.

For UK law firms, a digital audit checklist isn’t simply a marketing tool. It’s an essential safeguard against potential breaches of SRA regulations.

By following a structured, SRA-focused digital audit, you can ensure your online presence works for your firm, not against it.

Why Every Law Firm Needs an SRA-Focused Digital Audit

SRA compliance extends far beyond your client interactions. It now encompasses how you present your firm online: your content, advertisements, and even your cookie policies. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) expects law firms to uphold integrity, transparency, and client protection across every channel, including your website.

But here’s the reality: many law firm websites unintentionally breach SRA guidelines through vague pricing pages, misleading copy, or poorly monitored Google Ads. A well-structured digital audit ensures that your firm remains compliant while strengthening your SEO, lead generation, and reputation.

1. Start with the Basics: Your Website’s Core Information

Your audit should begin with a review of the essentials. Confirm that all mandatory firm details are clear, accurate, and easy to find.

Your checklist:

• Registered business name and SRA number
• Contact details, including your office address and telephone number
• Names of partners and key solicitors
• Clear pricing and service transparency

Failure to display this information can result not only in a compliance warning but also in client mistrust. Ensure these elements appear on your homepage, footer, and dedicated “About” or “Regulatory Information” pages.

2. Evaluate Your Content for Accuracy and Tone

Your written content is where many SRA breaches occur. Promises of “guaranteed results” or “winning outcomes” may sound persuasive, but they’re also misleading. Review every service page and blog post for claims that could be perceived as over-promising.

Ask yourself:

• Does the language reflect professionalism without exaggeration?
• Are you presenting balanced, factual information?
• Do your testimonials meet advertising standards?

Compliance aside, well-written content also boosts your search performance. A digital audit checklist that merges SRA compliance with SEO optimisation helps your firm appear credible to both Google and prospective clients.

3. Review Your Calls-to-Action and Landing Pages

Your conversion points (contact forms, booking widgets, and enquiry pages) are vital to your marketing performance. However, they can also pose compliance risks.

Ensure your calls-to-action (CTAs) and landing pages:

• Clearly state who the visitor is contacting (your firm name and contact person).
• Avoid any implication of urgency that may pressure potential clients.
• Include transparent privacy notices about data handling.

Every form should link to your privacy policy and clarify how personal data will be stored or processed. In SRA terms, transparency is non-negotiable.

4. Examine Your Google Ads and External Campaigns

Even if your SEO is impeccable, a single misleading Google Ads campaign could result in an SRA complaint. Part of your checklist must include ad content, landing pages, and keyword targeting.

Review:

• Ad text for accuracy. Avoid “no win, no fee” unless it truly applies
• Consistency between ad promises and landing page content
• Use of disclaimers where legal services may vary

At Kinetic Traffic, we’ve seen several law firms penalised for failing to align their ads with SRA advertising rules. Auditing your Google Ads ensures your paid campaigns reflect your ethical obligations and maintain trust with potential clients.

5. Check Your Use of Client Data and Cookies

Data protection is another area where compliance and marketing often collide. The SRA expects firms to safeguard client confidentiality, while the ICO requires cookie consent for tracking technologies.

Your audit should verify that:

• Cookie banners are active and functioning correctly
• Your privacy policy is updated to align with GDPR
• Tracking pixels or analytics tools don’t collect unnecessary personal data

Remember: transparency builds credibility. A client who feels secure about how their data is handled is more likely to reach out to your firm.

6. Test Technical SEO and Accessibility

A compliant site must also be accessible. That means ensuring your site loads quickly, works on all devices, and is navigable for users with disabilities. Accessibility isn’t just good practice. It demonstrates your firm’s commitment to equality and inclusivity, aligning with the SRA’s ethical standards.

Your audit should include:

• Page speed and mobile-friendliness tests
• Alt text for all images
• Proper heading structure (H1–H6)
• Secure HTTPS protocol

These steps improve user experience and send positive signals to Google’s ranking algorithms, helping you perform better in search results without sacrificing compliance.

7. Review Your Reviews

Client reviews play a major role in building online authority, but they must be handled carefully. Ensure that no testimonials have been edited, fabricated, or incentivised, and that responses remain professional.

Avoid engaging in public disputes or publishing selective reviews that could mislead prospects. The SRA expects authenticity, and Google rewards transparency.

8. Assess Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting

An audit isn’t a one-off task. It’s a continuous process. Schedule quarterly reviews of your digital assets, from your website to your Google Business Profile, to ensure you remain compliant as regulations and algorithms evolve.

At Kinetic Traffic, we recommend setting up automated monitoring tools that track content updates, broken links, and keyword performance. Combine this with manual reviews to ensure all legal and ethical aspects are covered.

Staying Compliant While Growing Online

Compliance and marketing aren’t opposites. They’re partners in sustainable growth. A strong digital audit checklist helps your firm protect its reputation while improving visibility, conversions, and client trust.

By reviewing your website through the lens of the SRA, you not only avoid regulatory issues but also strengthen your brand as a trustworthy, modern law practice.

Audit. Optimise. Comply.

If you want to ensure your law firm’s digital presence passes every SRA checkpoint, our experts at Kinetic Traffic can help. We’ll perform a comprehensive, compliance-driven website audit designed to uncover risks, refine your SEO, and position your firm as the go-to choice for clients seeking legal excellence.

Get in touch today to schedule your digital audit and secure your firm’s online integrity.