Your client intake form serves more than just a part of your law firm’s onboarding process. It can also help inform your lead nurturing strategy and determine if your clients are the right fit for your business.  

Did you know that a whopping 80% of leads don’t translate into sales? One of the reasons for this is that the prospect is not a good match for the business. With an effective client intake process, you can better understand whether a prospect is the right fit. 

This blog post will explore the importance of utilizing client intake forms for law firms and the benefits of incorporating them into your firm's website. We'll cover what a client intake form is and why it's important, the advantages of adding them to your website, how to create and add client intake forms to your website, and tips for optimizing your forms for SEO keywords. With this information, you can take your law firm to the next level by better understanding and utilizing client intake forms.

What is a client intake form?

A client intake form is a document used by law firms to gather information from prospective clients to determine if the firm can provide the necessary legal services. It is typically used before an attorney-client relationship is established and can be used to ensure that the firm can provide the best possible service.

The form typically asks questions about the potential client’s legal issue, the desired outcome of legal representation, the client’s contact information, and any other relevant information. Depending on the law firm’s needs, the form may also collect information about the potential client’s financial information, background, and other pertinent information.

An intake form also allows the firm to understand the client’s expectations and desired outcomes from legal representation. It's important for law firms to know so that they can ensure that they can meet the client’s needs. Additionally, the form can be used to ensure that the client is aware of the potential risks and outcomes associated with the case.

Moreover, the information gathered from the client intake form can be used to provide an outline of the case, which can help the firm quickly understand the legal issue and provide the best possible legal advice. Having the information upfront lets the firm quickly and accurately assess the case and provide the client with the most effective legal advice.

Why is it important for law firms to use client intake forms?

Client intake forms are a noteworthy part of the legal process for law firms. 

These forms can be used to gather a range of data on a potential client, such as their name, address, and phone number, any legal issues they could be facing, and whether they have the financial means to pay for legal services. 

In addition to providing detailed information to the lawyer, client intake forms benefit the client. They allow the client to learn more about their rights and responsibilities before the lawyer begins work on their case. This knowledge can help the client make informed decisions about how their case should proceed, as well as provide the lawyer with a better sense of the client’s legal goals and objectives.

Client intake forms are also important for the law firm itself. They provide a standard way of gathering information from potential clients, making tracking and analyzing data easier. This allows the firm to better understand the cases they are handling and adjust their services accordingly. Additionally, having such forms in place can help reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, such as collecting and entering data manually.

Lastly, client intake forms are beneficial for the lawyer’s reputation. They allow the lawyer to demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and provide the client with a level of assurance that their case will be handled with care. This can also help build trust with the client, as they can be sure their information is being handled with confidentiality. By having client intake forms in place, lawyers can ensure that their clients are treated with the respect they deserve.

What are the benefits of adding client intake forms to your law firm's website?

The benefits of adding client intake forms to your law firm’s website are numerous. 

For starters, it makes it much easier for potential clients to provide the necessary information. This helps streamline the process for both the law firm and the client, as the client can easily provide the information without being physically present. Additionally, the data gathered can help a law firm make better decisions on which cases to take on and which ones to pass on.

Having client intake forms on your law firm’s website also provides the added benefit of increased visibility. Potential clients may come across your website when searching for a law firm, and the presence of an intake form can act as a sign that you are a reputable firm. Additionally, having an intake form can make it easier for potential clients to quickly contact your firm, as they can easily provide their information without having to wait for a reply from an attorney.

In addition, having client intake forms on your law firm’s website can provide a great opportunity for optimization for certain keywords. Adding keywords such as “client intake form law firm” to the form can help your website show up in search engine results when potential clients are looking for firms that offer these services. Optimizing your intake form for such keywords can help your law firm stand out from the competition, allowing you to gain more visibility and more potential clients.

How to create client intake forms for your law firm website

Creating client intake forms for your law firm website is a crucial step in building your online presence and streamlining the onboarding process for potential new clients. Ensure that your forms are easy to complete, contain all the necessary information, and provide a secure platform for submitting data.

Selecting what to include

The first step in creating a client intake form is to decide what fields you need to include. Consider fields such as contact information, legal issue, desired outcome, and any other relevant information you need to collect. Additionally, you should ensure that you have the option for clients to upload any necessary documents for your case. Once you have determined the fields, you can use a form builder to create the form, making adding, editing, and customizing your form easier.

Creating a privacy policy

You should also create a privacy policy that is linked to the form. This will ensure that the client's data is secure and will not be shared with any third parties. Additionally, you should provide an option to opt-in to marketing communications and any other notifications that they may want to receive.

Testing the form

Test the form to make sure it is working properly and that all the information is being collected. You should also make sure that the form is optimized for mobile devices. This will ensure that potential clients can access and fill out the form from any device. Once you have tested the form and it is working properly, you can then add it to your law firm's website.

How to add client intake forms to your law firm's website

When adding client intake forms to your law firm website, it is important to make sure that the forms are accessible, easy to use, and include all of the necessary questions and information. This will help ensure that your clients are able to quickly and easily fill out the forms, without feeling overwhelmed or confused. Additionally, be sure to provide clear instructions and information about the forms, and include links to any additional resources or information that may be needed.

In addition to making sure that your client intake forms are easy to use, make sure that they are secure and compliant with any applicable laws. Make sure that the data is encrypted and that the forms are GDPR-compliant and compliant with any other applicable laws. Additionally, you should make sure that any personal data that is collected is properly stored and managed in accordance with any applicable laws.

You should also consider optimizing your client intake forms for SEO keywords. This will help your law firm website rank higher in search engine results while also making it easier for potential clients to find your forms. Additionally, make sure to include relevant links to the form on the main page of your law firm website, as well as on any other relevant pages.

Tips for optimizing your client intake forms for SEO 

Having a well-optimized client intake form is essential for any law firm. Adding SEO keywords to the form is a great way to increase visibility and draw in more potential clients. SEO keywords are words related to the services your law firm provides and are used by search engines to help rank your website in relevant search results. When creating your client intake form, it is important to make sure that the keywords are strategically placed throughout the form.

Using keywords in the form title can also be beneficial. When possible, include the words “client intake form” as well as the name of your law firm in the title. This will help your form to appear in the search engine results for related keywords. Additionally, use keywords in the form description, headings, and questions. Be sure not to overuse the keywords, as this will be considered keyword stuffing and can hurt your website’s search engine ranking.

Another factor to consider when optimizing client intake forms for SEO keywords is to ensure that the form is easy to read and navigate. A form that is difficult to read or understand can be a turn-off for potential clients and could result in a lost opportunity. Make sure that all of the questions are worded clearly and that the page layout is organized. Keep in mind that if your form is too long, it could discourage potential clients from completing it.

Don’t forget to include a call to action, which can be as simple as a button prompting the user to submit the form. This is a great way to encourage potential clients to take the next step and contact your law firm. By including a call to action in the client intake form, you can maximize the chances of gaining more leads and, ultimately, more clients.

Get client intake built into your website

B12's client intake forms are all you need to gather information about prospective clients. Customize templates to send on-brand forms, add an intake form page to your site, and keep form submissions organized in a single platform. With B12, you get an optimized online presence with all the tools needed to attract, win, and serve clients online, including online scheduling, contracts & eSignatures, payments, and more. Sign up for free today and launch your updated web presence in 30 days or less.