Legal Internet Marketing Blog
Are you thinking about building a new website for your firm and don’t know where to start? Here is a short checklist of information that can help you:
1) Contact information
Include your firm’s name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail addresses, and any other critical information on EVERY page. Many law firm sites don’t list contact information anywhere except the “Contact” page, which makes it more difficult for users to find it. Put it on every page in a prominent position so that potential clients don’t need to go farther than the first page they land on to find it.
2) Who You Are
Make your website informational and personal. Give your clients more than an unsmiling photo and a dry professional C.V. Make them feel like they know you before they pick up the phone. Remember every potential client that comes to your site is unique – you need to be unique also.
3) Educate your user
Your potential clients are searching the Internet for information about their particular situation. Don’t be afraid to educate them, it won’t scare them away. It actually has the opposite effect – by establishing your site as an informational site in your niche of the law, you’ll not only appeal to potential customers, but you’ll also please the search engines. The more educational and detailed site is, the better chance you’ll have of organically attracting clients.
4) Description your services
Brand your legal web site effectively. In plain language, describe what your firm specializes in and what you provide in the way of legal services. Use bullet point lists, graphics, and other simplifying tools to boil down your site’s “essence.”
5) Testimonials from satisfied clients
Honest testimonials from happy clients can go a long way towards “making the sale” and transforming a web visitor into your next client.
6) Awards, commendations, and accreditations
Establish trust with your visitors by showing your credentials. Are you a member of a State Bar, the Better Business Bureau, a Trial Lawyers association, or even an admirable community group? Then let visitors know!
7) Information about your fees
How do your clients pay? Do you take credit cards? Do you work on contingency? Potential clients want to know so make this information readily available.
8) List of successful cases
The more details you provide, the more you’ll appeal to potential clients. Just listing numbers and/or great results isn’t enough, give some general details about the case as well… not only do your potential clients want to know, but your State Bar may have rules about this also.
For more tips and advice feel free to call our offices anytime or visit our website at www.slsconsulting.com.