Your law firm is booked and busy, you’re well known in your city…so do you really need a website for your practice? In this post, we explore some of the benefits of a well-maintained law firm website that operates as a business tool and share insights into what to consider before DIYing your site.
Why Does a Law Firm Need a Website?
All law firms should have a website—and yes, we know we’re biased. Your website, when designed with strategy in mind by a professional, should function as a tool that attracts prospects, increases referrals and partnerships, and saves time on the phone with people who aren’t the right fit.
Here are some examples of why a website is important for your practice:
- If a prospect searches for your firm’s specialty, your website should clearly communicate what you do and how you can help them. Based on what they gather from your site, they may move to book a consultation.
- If someone refers a prospective client to your firm, they’ll likely look you up online. Assuming your website confirms what they were told about your practice, they schedule a consultation.
- If a prospect in your area needs help with a legal matter and knows of your firm, they go to your website. They find out you don’t specialize in the practice area they need support with, so they don’t book a consultation. This saves both of you time.
Underrated Benefits of a Well-Maintained Law Firm Website
Having a website that’s beautifully designed, user-friendly, optimized for search engines, and well-maintained contributes to a multitude of benefits for your firm.
1. Signals Credibility and Professionalism
You’re an expert in your field and provide a standout experience for your clients, and your website should represent that level of professionalism. When you have a website that’s well-designed and strategic, it signals to prospective clients (even subconsciously) that you’re credible.
Having a website that shares more about who you are and what makes your firm different builds trust with prospects. It gives them the opportunity to see photos of your team and learn more about your story.
2. Communicates Your Value and Process
Through your copy, or the words on your website, and testimonials, prospects learn more about what your team brings to the table. This is a place for you to communicate your value and the transformation that clients can expect from working with you. Your website is also where you highlight your process, which puts prospects at ease by anticipating what comes next.
3. Reduces Phone Calls and Emails
If your firm is booked and busy (with the emphasis on busy), efficiency is likely top-of-mind. A strategically written website reduces phone calls and emails for you, by naturally repelling prospects who aren’t a good fit and answering questions upfront.
A prospect may browse your website and discover you don’t specialize in what they need help with, or perhaps you’re out of budget for them. Instead of discovering this while on a consultation, they don’t even book a call, saving time for you.
In another scenario, you may find yourself spending way too much time in your inbox. Your website should provide all the relevant information a prospect needs before booking a consultation, and that drastically reduces the amount of questions you receive via email. No more emails asking about investment, timeline, areas of expertise—all of that information can be found on your site.
4. Allows Prospects to Find You via SEO
There are people you can help who are actively looking for what you offer on search engines, such as Google. When your website is optimized for these search engines (included for all of our website design projects), your site can rank for relevant keywords, such as “Seattle divorce attorney” or “law firm for small business”. This adds another layer of visibility for your firm, where you can connect with prospective clients without even having to attend a networking event.
5. Increases Referral Opportunities
It isn’t uncommon for law firms in smaller towns to not have a website—after all, they likely have a strong presence within their communities. However, there are large firms nearby who are looking to send referrals your way. You are missing out on partnerships with other firms and referrals in general if you can’t be found online.
6. Highlights What Sets Your Firm Apart
You know your firm is special. Your team is knowledgeable and empathetic, your clients feel seen, heard, and supported, and you operate differently than other law firms. Your website, especially on your About Us page, is the perfect place to highlight all of the aspects that set your firm apart from competitors.
What to Consider Before DIYing Your Law Firm’s Website
Convinced that having a website is important for your practice? We were hoping so—and the next thing to decide is whether you’ll DIY your website or hire a professional web designer to build it for you. There are two very important factors to take into consideration.
Knowledge and Experience
Building a website that converts requires a knowledge of website builders, messaging, copywriting, branding, design, and SEO. Even if you DIY using a template, you still need to learn how to make changes, add your own images, write your own copy, and optimize for search engines. If you don’t have anyone on your team who is experienced in these areas, we strongly advise you to work with a professional web designer.
Available Time
DIYing your own website takes hours upon hours of time—even if you start from a template. That’s time you could be spending serving clients, talking to prospects on consultations, or overseeing your team. If you’re a brand new practice, this isn’t a bad option, but once you have a few clients under your belt, it’s worth bringing on a website designer.
Ready to Have a Professional Website for Your Legal Firm?
As you can see, there are many benefits of a well-maintained law firm website. If you’re excited to have a website that clearly communicates your expertise, helps you stand out from your competition, and showcases what makes your firm so special, click here to schedule a free brand clarity consultation with Allie, the founder of Growth Story.
FAQs about Law Firm Website Benefits
It’s recommended to have a website regardless of being booked, as your website is a tool to increase credibility, strengthen referrals and partnerships, attract best-fit prospects, and communicate your value.
A good site for a law firm should include strategy and messaging, branding, copywriting, design, and search engine optimization (SEO). Ideally, it’s custom built by a professional website designer, so it not only looks beautiful, but it also converts prospects into paying clients.
If you’re brand new and haven’t worked with clients yet, DIYing your website may be a good option. However, if you have a few clients under your belt, it’s worth considering hiring a professional to build a custom website. A strategic website will not only boost your professionalism and credibility, but it also can attract prospects from Google and help you stand out.
Websites are important, even for legal firms located in small towns or rural areas. Often, larger firms are searching online trying to find you for referrals. Prospects who get referred to you look you up online to confirm what they were told is accurate. Prospective clients who need your services are Googling you. No matter where you’re based, it’s important to have a well-maintained website.