5 Reasons for a Lawyer Website Redesign
Considering a lawyer website redesign? A Law firm’s or lawyer’s website is one of its most important marketing assets in today’s constantly evolving digital world. Today, a lawyer’s website is the centerpiece of all digital marketing efforts, so it is critical to understand when and why a lawyer’s website redesign is needed.
Understanding the role of a firm’s website and its effectiveness is one way to assess whether or not a legal website redesign is necessary. A law firm’s website has a few functions, such as educating potential new clients on the services and practice areas of the firm, along with featuring the attorneys of the firm. However, one of the most important aspects of the law firm’s website is its ability to generate new business and convert leads into new clients.
It is not uncommon for a firm to initiate a website redesign or update as a result of changes within the firm’s strategic plan, priorities, or brand image.
Oftentimes a law firm website redesign doesn’t necessarily warrant an entirely new website but rather changes to individual pages, design elements, sections of the website, or even implementation of search engine optimization (SEO) to existing pages.
Sometimes a law firm’s website can also be touched-up or refreshed with new content or new designs. For example, changes to the law firm’s branding, color scheme, or overall image should be reflected on the firm’s website to maintain brand continuity.
Nonetheless, there are many reasons why a law firm or lawyer may consider a web redesign. By asking a few questions and completing some research, determining whether or not a law firm’s website needs a redesign should be more evident.
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5 Reasons for a Law Firm or Lawyers Website Redesign
There are several reasons why a lawyer might consider redesigning their website:
To Improve the User Friendliness and Navigation
A well-designed website can make it easier for potential clients to find the information they need and navigate the site with ease. This can improve the overall user experience and increase the likelihood of converting visitors into clients. Web design with the user in mind ensures that your website visitors have a pleasurable experience when navigating the site. This includes including the appropriate call to action at the right time and place.
To Present a Professional Brand Image
Potential new clients and web visitors alike will have experienced their first impression of the law firm through the law firm’s website. With that being said, it is important that the website presents a professional image, as a poorly designed website may give the impression that the lawyer is not technologically savvy.
As the law firm changes, whether that be changes to the branding, color scheme, or composition of lawyers, it is important to keep the website updated to ensure that it is congruent with what is happening at the law firm.
Keeping Up to Date With New Technologies, Trends, and Website Design Practices
As technology and design trends evolve, it is important for a lawyer’s website to keep up with changing technologies. Redesigning the website ensures that it is modern, easy to use, and responsive to all devices, including smartphones. Occasionally there are new technologies that are introduced into the web design space that drastically improve the quality of the website or its functionality. It is important to keep up with these changes as other businesses, and potentially your competitors, adopt these new technologies.
A modern legal web design should include website architecture that is mobile-friendly and responsive on all devices. This means that the website should display and adjust itself properly across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and various desktop screen sizes.
To Better Reflect the Lawyer’s Brand and Specialty
A lawyer’s website redesign can be an opportunity to better reflect the lawyer’s brand and specialty. For example, an attorney that has additional certifications or special certifications, such as a criminal defense specialist, should properly display that. This can attract potential clients who are specifically looking for a lawyer with the expertise and experience that the lawyer offers.
Another overlooked component of legal web design is the creation of individual attorney or lawyer pages. These pages should feature the attorney’s background, role within the law firm, and notable awards.
To Improve Search Ranking, Lead Generation, and Website Conversions
A well-designed website that is optimized for search engines can improve the lawyer’s ranking within the results page of search engines. This can make it easier for potential clients to find the lawyer’s website and increase online visibility. Through search engine optimization, law firms are able to generate new leads every month regardless of the efficacy of referrals or outbound marketing.
Improving the search engine optimization (SEO) of the website will ultimately result in better online exposure. By implementing search engine optimization, a law firm’s website will be able to attract the right clients at the right time.
When a law firm’s or attorney’s website is designed properly with search engine optimization in mind, the website will appear in front of those that are actively searching for legal services. These people are more likely to convert into clients and more likely to reach out for legal services.
7 Signs That Your Legal Website Needs a Redesign
Website Failing to Generating New Leads
One of the most important, if not the most important, indicator to determine if your law firm’s website needs a redesign or overhaul is if your website is failing to generate new leads on a monthly basis. “How can a website generate new leads,” you might ask. It is through search engine optimization (SEO).
A firm’s website is one of its most important marketing assets in today’s constantly evolving digital world. A well-built website, paired with professional search engine optimization, will ensure that your website reaches your target audience. Ideally, your website would reach those who are actively searching for the legal services you offer. If your website is failing to generate new leads, an attorney website redesign is needed immediately.
The Website Has Outdated or Inaccurate Images and Branding
A law firm’s website should accurately reflect its brand and values. Inconsistency in this area can deter potential new clients as it comes across as unprofessional. Another thing to consider when considering a legal website redesign is the recent changes to the law firm since the website was built or updated. Are these changes reflected on your website?
Changes in branding, and strategic plans, may require updates to the website’s appearance and message. How about new partners? New hires? Notable case victories? How about recent awards? These things need to be displayed so that potential new leads gain a better feel for your firm.
Website Falling Behind Competing Law Firms or Lawyers
Does the website compare favorably to those of your competitors? Reviewing and benchmarking the websites of other law firms that offer similar services to your law firm’s website can help identify areas for improvement or opportunity. Consider the layout, imagery, and tone of competitor websites to gauge your own website’s effectiveness.
Consider searching google for the legal services you offer + the location (E.g., “Trademark Attorney in Dallas, TX.” analyze the results. Do you see your competitors’ websites appear within the search results? Is your website in the search results? If your website is not there, but your competitors are, chances they are implementing SEO and attracting potential clients that you could be having.
Website Not Optimized for Mobile – Does not Load Correctly on a Smartphone
Is your website optimized for mobile devices? Many older websites have yet to implement responsive website architecture to ensure that users on all devices have a pleasurable user experience when interacting with the website.
With more and more web users using mobile devices to access the internet, it is crucial that your website displays & functions correctly across all mobile devices. A website redesign is needed immediately if your website does not load properly on a smartphone or tablet.
Unable to Find Your Law Firm’s Website or Lawyers Within Google Search
If you were to search for the name of your law firm in Google, would your website appear? How about searching for an attorney or partner at the firm? Would they appear within the search results? If the answer is no, a website redesign would be needed.
It is essential to mention that a redesign of the website’s visual components will not address this problem. Rather the solution is to address the back end of the website. Adjusting the data and information that Google reads will resolve this issue, which we specialize in.
Client Complaints to Lawyers
This one is pretty straightforward, if your clients complain or mention how unpleasant your website may be, it may be time to address it and redesign the site.
Another overlooked aspect that many fail to realize is the occurrence of invalid, outdated, or broken links. If someone were to click a button on your website that is designed to initiate a call with your law firm, would it work? How about sending an email or completing a contact form? If these features do not function properly or are outdated, you may be losing potential new clients through poor design.
Website Not in Compliance With ABA or GDPR
Is the website compliant with all applicable laws? Legal marketing must adhere to professional rules and responsibilities, but there may also be other requirements for the website, such as consumer privacy and data protection laws.
It’s important to ensure that the website is compliant with the California Consumer Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and other relevant laws. While U.S. websites are not currently required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, similar regulations may be implemented in the future and are already in place in many other countries.
So, Is a Lawyer Website Redesign Needed?
Many factors go into a well-designed law firm and lawyer website redesign, and it can be overwhelming to try to tackle everything on your own. That’s where we come in. Our team of legal web design experts will work with you to create a stunning new site that reflects the unique strengths of your firm while also providing an excellent user experience for potential clients. So if you’re ready to start attracting your ideal clients and increase your firm’s online visibility, schedule an appointment or complete the contact form, and we will get in touch.
