Professional Services Marketing Survey 2026

The 2026 Professional Services Marketing Survey is Now Open

Now in its sixth edition, the Professional Services Marketing Survey has become the clearest annual picture of how law firms and accountancy firms across the UK approach their marketing and business development.

Each year, this survey examines what firms are spending, how their teams are structured, the channels and technology they rely on and the work they choose to outsource, as well as how they expect the year ahead to unfold. The findings are only as strong as the number of firms behind them, so we encourage every firm to take part, and the 2026 survey is now open.

 

Why take part in the survey?

Few firms have a dependable way of knowing whether their marketing budget, the size of their team or their wider approach is in step with comparable firms, and this is where the survey earns its place.

The findings cover spend, team size, involvement in strategy and marketing maturity and, because they are reported across the sector and also broken down by firm size, you can see how your firm sits against others occupying a similar demographic.

Participants can choose to receive the findings in full so, once you have completed the survey, you will be redirected to a page to share your contact details so we can send you the 2026 report on publication.

You can be assured that all responses are anonymised and that all findings are reported in aggregate.

 

What the 2025 survey found

When 130 firms completed the 2025 survey, the results gave a candid view of where the sector stands. The headlines included:

• Firms invested an average of 3.1% of turnover in their marketing and business development (excluding salaries)
• Only 18% of firms said that marketing drives their firm’s strategic process
• Alongside the sector-wide figures, the results were split by firm size, so firms could see where they stood against others of a similar scale

See the executive summary of the Professional Services Marketing Survey 2025 report here.

 

New for 2026

The 2026 edition goes further than before in a few important ways:

• The assessment of marketing and business development maturity has been broadened considerably. Alongside website, SEO, PPC, social media, CRM, automation, systems integration and AI, it now covers a much wider range of areas. These include brand and positioning, content marketing, marketing measurement and reporting, and business development and pitch activity. It also takes in legal directories and rankings, events and networking, and client experience and listening
• A new two-year outlook captures how firms expect both 2026 and 2027 to unfold
• And a sharper set of questions draws out the opportunities and challenges that firms are prioritising

 

A word from the team

Laura Lack, LFMC Community Manager, says: "Each year, this research gives marketing and business development teams something they rarely have to hand: a clear, honest view of how their firm is resourced and how that compares with others.

“The picture only gets sharper as more firms take part, so whether you are shaping your strategy for the year or making the case for investment internally, I would encourage you to add your firm and be part of it."

 

Who is it for?

The survey is open to law firms and accountancy firms across the UK, and is written for the people who lead and deliver this work day-to-day, whether you head up marketing or business development, work within the team, or carry responsibility for it alongside a partner or practice management role.

 

Who runs it?

It is produced by the Law Firm Marketing Club, a community of UK law firms committed to improving how they market themselves and is sponsored by Sursum.

The findings are accompanied by commentary from the Law Firm Marketing Club and SurSum, who together bring an experienced and a fresh perspective on the sector.

 

How to get the 2026 report

There are three ways to get hold of the findings:

• Complete the survey and we can send you a copy on publication
• Access it as part of Law Firm Marketing Club membership
• Purchase it once it has been published

 

Take part

The 2026 survey is now open and you can complete it here.

To find out more, or to join the Law Firm Marketing Club, contact Laura Lack at laura@lawfirmmarketingclub.com or visit www.lawfirmmarketingclub.com/join/.

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