If you own or work for a law firm and have the task of planning and creating the firm’s website, then you’ll want to pay close attention to the characteristics a law firm’s website should have. Read on to learn about these and to pick up some tips and tricks to make your firm’s website top-notch.
Make an Initial Plan
Your first step in designing your firm’s website is to make an initial plan of the information you want to include. You should certainly focus on a description of the firm and its services, provide up-to-date contact information and profile the various lawyers who work for the firm. Other pages might provide further details about services and even forms to help potential clients get started. Make a list of everything you’d like to see on the website and sketch some possible pages.
Use the Right Tools
If you plan to build the website yourself, be sure to use the right tools. Do some research about web design software and choose an option that will let you create the website you need at your skill level. You might start with a relatively simple option like WordPress or Squarespace, but if you want to make a fancier website with more features, you could turn to a program like Dreamweaver. You’ll also have to think about a host for your website and a domain name.
Hire a Designer
If all this already feels overwhelming, consider hiring a company that provides web design for lawyers. A designer can handle the technical parts of creating your website and guide you in design and practicality. A designer can also set up hosting and your domain name, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Make the Homepage Clear
Whether you build your website yourself or work with a designer, make sure that the website’s homepage is clear and contains all the potential information clients need to have to introduce them to your firm. For example, clients should be able to find your firm’s name, hours, contact information, and services upfront. Use an easy-to-read font and colors that are easy on the eyes. You can also include a banner and a few photos, but don’t overwhelm viewers with graphics.
Build Supporting Pages
Next, you will want to create some supporting pages to provide greater detail about your various services. These details can be lawyer profiles, a history of your firm, and perhaps some simple ways clients can get started coping with their legal issues. As you build your supporting pages, you should also create a menu that will make your website easy to navigate. Remember that clients like to find everything they need in a few clicks.
Think About Connections
Finally, you should think about connections as you build your website. You want to connect with potential clients, so give those clients a no-fuss way to contact you. A form on your homepage or a visible link to such a form helps, as does a prominent address, phone number, and email.
Your law firm should have a website that appeals to clients and sets the firm apart, so get started creating it.
