As a lawyer, you likely interact with clients face-to-face, at least in the beginning of the process. Many people in need of legal services are at a vulnerable point in their life. Providing counsel is all about trust – and trust needs to start at your website – the first touchpoint.
Attorneys these days cannot compromise on digital assets. In this post, we discuss why investing in professional website development services is one of the smartest decisions a lawyer can make. Let’s get going.
Table of Contents
1. A Strong Website Makes You More Credible
Choosing an attorney is one of the biggest decisions a person can make – the effects can be life-changing.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a saying that doesn’t exist in online purchasing decisions. A website visitor will form their first impression in a matter of milliseconds. Visitors need to know they are in good hands right off the bat. Even if you provide exceptional legal services, you don’t look credible to new potential clients if your website looks like it’s from 1999.
Websites are judged by aesthetics, functionality, and content. Prospects should be able to find exactly what they’re looking for – without having to dig. More importantly, the website needs to present your firm as an expert in the field. This task involves a great deal of psychology.
Professional web design services providers know how to position trust-building elements (like testimonials, awards, certificates, etc.) within the layout to motivate people to take action. An exceptional website will accomplish this.
2. Branded Websites Build Trust
A law firm’s website needs to make people feel comfortable walking into the office. Law is an intense industry. Unfortunately, this has created a negative stigma. Many people seeking legal advice are doing so for the first time. Your website should present the legal brand as friendly, compassionate, and approachable – in addition to showcasing expertise.
Accomplishing this requires a strong brand presence built around positive values. These values should flow throughout the entire website, both in the design and content. Keep in mind, all attorneys need to present a certain level of professionalism. A well-branded website is instrumental in helping you differentiate yourself.
When you partner with a custom website development services partner, they will examine your competitors under a microscope. From here, they will help you build a brand presence online that stands above the pack.
3. Websites Are Marketing Tools
Marketing for most law firms is done on a local level. Your website is the foundation of all your online marketing efforts. On a basic level, a law firm website should cover the following marketing functions:
#I. Search Engine Optimization
Nearly 90 percent of clients these days meet their lawyers via Google. Firms need their website to show up on local search queries. A professional website is written, designed, and developed with SEO at the core.
Now, getting placed at the top of Google searches is not a one-time job – it takes a dedicated, consistent effort. Most website development services offer ongoing SEO, meaning they will work continuously to build up your local search rankings.
#II. Be a Resource Center
In a perfect world, potential clients should be able to get all the information they need from your website. They might not know anything about the law they need counsel on. The content on your website should be written in a clear, user-friendly way in providing basic information about the legal process – and what their next moves are. This can be done through web copy and blog content.
Not only will this work to build trust with potential clients, but it will also help improve your SEO.
#III. Serve as a Communication Tool
Clients don’t always want to call a law firm. A professional website development services provider will make sure your website is equipped with live chat, chatbots, and client portals to field inquiries around the clock.
#IV. Generate Leads 24/7/365
The best aspect of a contemporary website is it works around the clock. Your design/development partner will create your website to work simultaneously with online marketing efforts to attract leads 24/7. A strong website is a salesperson who doesn’t take weekends, vacations, sick days, or anything else.
Lastly – and most importantly – your website development services partner will watch your site’s data to assess benchmarks. If you aren’t hitting your marketing goals, they will optimize the approach accordingly.
4. A Professional Website is a Customer Service Portal
To reiterate, legal clients are usually in a tough spot. They shouldn’t have to be left in the dark wondering what’s going on. You may have had a stressed client at some point in your career that seemed to blow your phone up every few minutes. Your website can be built as a portal to serve clients more efficiently.
This portal can include:
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Ways for clients to access their case
- A communication channel in which paralegals can answer questions virtually
When you partner with a website development services provider, you can tell them about your firm’s biggest bottlenecks in serving clients. With this input, they will devise a platform that reduces these inefficiencies – and works to keep clients happy.
Over to You
For law firms looking to go beyond word-of-mouth referrals, a professional website is essential. The standards of website design change very quickly. If a site gives off any hints of being outdated, it could be the difference between gaining a client – and watching them go to a competitor.
This list barely scratches the surface in describing the role a website has in a law firm’s success. In many scenarios, professional website development services are your most powerful tool in signing clients and retaining existing ones.
For any more questions about website development, the cost of web design services, or anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Watermark Design. Get in touch today and set up a consultation.
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