A How-to Guide by Next Step Digital Solutions
People often start searching online when seeking professionals such as restaurant owners, personal trainers, physicians, or lawyers. The same applies to potential legal clients looking for a law firm. A practical, easy-to-read, and informative website is critical for growing your client base.
Clients make decisions about you based on your online presence, especially younger generations who hold a significant portion of buying power. According to the 2022 Legal Trends Report, younger generations are more likely to value a lawyer’s website (49% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials compared to 34% of Gen X and 21% of Boomers). Without a law firm website, you’re losing potential business to other lawyers who have embraced the digital age.
Who Should Read This Guide
This comprehensive how-to guide takes you through all the key areas to consider when designing a website for law firms, based on over a decade of experience managing websites for various clients. Key areas covered include:
- Website development and design basics for ease of use
- SEO as the key driver for online search traffic
- Web writing tips for law firms for effective communication
- Ethical marketing considerations
- Law firm website design tips and best practices
Whether building a new website or optimizing an existing one, this guide will serve as your roadmap.
How Website Design for Law Firms Can Grow Your Business
Creating a website might seem daunting for many legal professionals, but it’s essential for growth. Potential clients will likely search online for more information about a lawyer. According to the 2019 Legal Trends Report, 57% of consumers looked for a lawyer independently, using online search engines (17%) and visiting lawyer websites (17%).
Even personal referrals are often validated online. Your firm’s online presence is crucial for those who go straight to the web when facing a legal problem.
Website Development and Design Basics
Once you decide to invest in your law firm’s website design, consider the setup, the type of website best suited for your needs, and its appearance.
DIY or Professional Website Design?
The amount you invest in your law firm’s website depends on your industry and practice area. A simple website with basic information may suffice if your firm relies on word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business. However, investing more in your website design is worthwhile if you need to stand out from other firms.
1. Do-It-Yourself Law Firm Website Design
If you’re comfortable, several tools can help you set up your website at a marginal cost, such as:
- WordPress: Popular and trusted, it offers an intuitive editor, mobile and desktop apps, and customer support. However, it may require some web development skills.
- Next Step Digital Solutions: Exclusively for law firms, this agency focuses on helping law firms generate new business with professional website design and marketing.
While these platforms are user-friendly, professional-quality content and design can make a significant difference if you haven’t invested in your branding.
2. Professional Law Firm Web Developers
Professional services for law firms can range from a few hundred dollars to over $350,000. For a few thousand dollars, a developer can create a comprehensive design scheme for a small firm with training and support. The cost varies based on the number of pages, content support, and additional features.
What to Consider When Hiring a Website Designer
When hiring a professional, ask questions to ensure you get what you need at the best price:
- When will you be available to work on my website, and how long will it take?
- What training will you offer to show me how to use the site?
- Will I be able to update content on my own?
- Will you be available for future support?
- What steps will you take to optimize my site for search engines?
- Will my site be mobile and tablet-responsive?
- Who will own the domain and hosting accounts?
Choose a developer whose services match your budget, knowledge, and time availability.
Images and Accessibility
Appearances matter. High-quality, professional images reflect your brand and should not slow down your website. Optimize images for fast loading times, especially for mobile users.
Law Firm SEO: The Key for Driving Traffic
SEO is essential for making your website discoverable. It involves driving more traffic to your site by improving its position in search engine results. Key steps include writing great content, optimizing for keywords, promoting your site, maintaining your online reputation, and addressing technical issues.
3 Copywriting Tips for Your Law Firm Website
Effective copywriting can keep potential clients engaged:
- Know Your Reader: Write with your audience in mind, avoiding legal jargon.
- Be Clear: Use simple words and shorter sentences for better understanding.
- Create Calls-to-Action: Guide visitors to take specific actions, such as booking a consultation.
Ethical Considerations in Marketing Your Law Firm Website
Marketing your law firm online comes with ethical responsibilities. Ensure your marketing efforts comply with your jurisdiction’s rules and the Jamaica Bar Association’s guidelines.
7 Law Firm Website Tips and Best Practices
- Put Your Visitors First: Focus on meeting clients’ needs rather than aggressively marketing.
- Make Contact Information Easy to Find: Prominently display accurate contact information.
- Ensure Usability: Test your site’s usability with various people and tasks.
- Consider Essential Pages: Include an About page, Contact page, Blog, and Testimonials.
- Make Your Website Accessible: Use tools to evaluate and improve accessibility.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly to enhance user experience.
- Invest in SEO: Apply SEO strategies to improve your search engine ranking.
Following these guidelines, you can create a compelling website for your law firm that attracts and retains clients.
