In today’s highly competitive market, a well designed website is absolutely vital for every business, including law firms. Your website sets the tone for how a client will expect your service to be. If you have a poor website, a client will instinctively think that you will provide poor legal representation. With so much competition, you cannot afford to overlook the importance of website design.
Here are seven common website design mistakes that law firms make.
1. Assuming That Any Old Website Is A Good Website!
Almost all potential clients these days will have visited your website before you are even aware of their interest. Whilst it is absolutely vital that your law firm has a website for potential clients to visit, it is very important to understand that not just any old website will do. You cannot simply list the name of your firm, a contact number and address and expect new clients to call you or turn up at your office. A good website will make an immediate good impression, whereas a bad website will send potential clients elsewhere.
2. Designing The Website Without Relevant Skills Or Knowledge
Your website must be simple, informative and user friendly. A cluttered unprofessional website will suggest a disorganised unprofessional service. Your website is a reflection of your firm and it is always worth investing time and money into its design. Hiring expert website designers is the best way to make sure that your website is maximising your potential to attract new clients. You will find that this service will prove beneficial in increasing traffic to your website. Once you have more visitors, it is vital that your website is a good advertisement for your firm in order to turn visitors into clients. A solid investment in an effective website is always worth the initial outlay and will pay dividends in the long run.
Your website is a reflection of your firm and it is always worth investing time and money into its design.
3. Not Optimising For Search Engine Results
The third mistake that law firms make when designing their website is overlooking the importance of Search Engine Optimization. SEO employs strategically placed keywords within the content of your website to lift it higher in search engine rankings. An SEO strategist will determine which keywords and how many of them you need in the content of your website to make sure your firm is near the top when people are searching for the kinds of legal service you provide. As there is likely so much competition that you must compete against in your area, this can give your firm a major advantage.
4. Not Clearly Showing Specialised Areas Of Expertise
It is so important that a visitor to your site can immediately see the type of legal representation that your firm offers. If you are work injury lawyers that operate in Houston, Texas, make sure that is clear within the first few seconds of visiting your site. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential client, visiting your site for the first time. If they immediately recognise that you provide the service they need, they will continue reading, but if that isn’t made abundantly clear, they will go somewhere else.
5. Not Taking Advantage Of Client Testimonials
Before anything else, most people who are seeking legal advice will ask people they know for recommendations of lawyers that they have used in the past. Client testimonials on your website work in the same way as word of mouth recommendations and help show potential clients that you have a successful track record and happy clients. Two to three well highlighted testimonials are a key feature of every successful law firm’s website.
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6. Not Offering Initial Quotes Or Consultations
Because the majority of us are not used to legal matters, the weight of upcoming legal procedures can weigh heavily on our minds. You want to create an atmosphere of safety and trust from the very first moment a potential client visits your website. One good way to do this is by offering free initial consultations via message which will allow clients to learn about your rates and feel comfortable in dealing with your firm.
7. Not Checking Out The Competition
If you don’t check out the competition’s websites, then you cannot know what you are up against. If you are aware that there is a successful law firm offering the same services as you, do some research and try to determine what is working for them and how you could implement it into your website design. There are many online lists where you can look at award winning website designs and these are excellent resources for ideas and inspiration to make your website as effective as possible.
A well designed website is the most effective way to attract new clients and to keep their interest piqued. The most important thing you can do is to look at your firm’s website subjectively. Put yourself in the place of a person who needs legal counsel and is visiting your website for the very first time. Tailor your website to their needs and it will be a good sign that your services will be tailored to them also.
