Photo credit: Rawpixel.comThese are the four most common mistakes lawyers make when designing their website, and the repercussions may negatively impact a law practice for years.
Websites are more than flashy brochures and much more than a digital business card. If you want to reach potential clients, having an effective online presence is critical to the success of your law firm. Let’s examine some of the most common mistakes attorneys make when creating their websites.
1. Your website ignores the importance of SEO keywords
Search algorithms are queries used to search for data. The information from these queries is then presented to users. This is why it’s so critical for websites to have content that is high quality and relevant to your line of business. Don’t ignore the importance of having your site professionally tuned for search engine optimization, or SEO. It could mean the difference between a client finding your site over a competitor’s site.
2. It’s written for other attorneys, not clients
Clients want to relate to an attorney on their level and can be turned off by legalese. They won’t be impressed by case law, but they will be impressed if you can solve their problems. Your website may be the first contact a potential client has with your firm – be sure to instill confidence so they follow through with your call to action. (Include your contact information on each webpage or at the end of each blog post.)
3. The site is disorganized
If your site is cluttered and difficult to navigate, a potential client will be immediately turned off and most likely will spend less than a minute on it. Avoid loud backgrounds, animated graphics and bright colors. Make sure every page has a menu for easy navigation. Content should be presented in an easy-to-read format that includes subheadings, bullets and numbered lists. It may be necessary to spend the extra money to hire professional writers to keep your content fresh and professional-looking.
4. It’s not mobile friendly
The time that individuals spend on their smartphones now exceeds time spent on laptops and PCs. Competitors with mobile friendly sites will be ranked higher by search engines, and if your site is not mobile friendly, you stand a good chance of losing out to your competitors.
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Conclusion
If you want your practice to grow, it’s imperative to focus on designing your website correctly at the outset by avoiding the above mistakes. Hiring professional designers and content providers can be a great way to ensure your site has top marks in functionality and user friendliness, and is highly ranked in search engines.