Law Firm Web Design

The Internet has revolutionized the way consumers and clients search for products and services. Although many traditional marketing methods remain influential and impactful, it’s incredibly beneficial for law firms to have an online presence. Statistics suggest that over a third of people now start their search for an attorney online (source). Organic search accounts for 66% of call conversion in the legal industry (source). If your firm is not already using digital marketing methods and promoting services via a professional, slick website, you could be missing out on amazing opportunities. 

In this comprehensive guide to law firm web design, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of law firm websites, highlight the benefits of a fast, attractive, impactful website and provide details about what goes into web design and how it can make a difference within the legal sector. 

Web design is a term used to describe the process of designing sites for businesses, organizations or individuals. Design focuses on aesthetics and user experience. The aim is to create websites that look appealing and provide a positive experience for web users. Web design should always be tailored to the client and the user. Every website should be unique to cater to the needs of the brand and its target customer. The design aspect is centered on how the site looks and the kind of experience it offers the user. A website for a law firm will look very different from a site for a toy retailer, a chic city hotel or a children’s clothing brand, for example. 

When the Internet first launched, website design covered laptops and desktop computers. Today, web design has to deliver experiences for mobile users too. Creating mobile-friendly sites for tablets, phones and other mobile devices enhances user experience and it can also help businesses and firms to gain a competitive advantage and tap into new audiences and markets. 

Successful web design involves covering multiple bases and bringing elements together to turn a vision into a streamlined, functional, visually appealing site that promotes the firm or brand and resonates with the target customer or client.

In this comprehensive guide to law firm web design, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of law firm websites, highlight the benefits of a fast, attractive, impactful website and provide details about what goes into web design and how it can make a difference within the legal sector. 

There are several benefits of having a website for law firms. These include:

1. Boost lead creation and conversion

One of the most significant benefits of having a website is boosting lead creation and conversion rates. More and more people are using the Internet to find law firms and research attorneys and lawyers. The Internet is a fantastic resource for prospective clients to find local law firms, locate offices that specialize in the relevant practice areas and learn more about specific attorneys or firms. If you have a professional website and clients can find your links and browse your site, you can expand your client base and improve the quality of your leads. Search engines are the first port of call for over 30% of people looking for a lawyer and this figure is likely to rise in the years to come as screen time increases. 

2. Raise brand awareness

Many people still rely on recommendations from friends, family members or colleagues and neighbors when they’re searching for a law firm, but websites play an increasingly important role in putting law firms on the map. If you have a website, it’s easier for clients to discover your firm and learn more about your team, the company ethos and your practice areas. 

3. Provide useful information about your firm

When prospective clients search for a law firm online, they are usually looking for more than a name and some contact details. Having a law firm website provides opportunities to offer additional information and answer common questions. Your homepage, service and practice area pages and blog can serve as useful reference points for clients as well as promotional pages with a clear call to action. Research suggests that 92% of web users looking for a law firm value detailed service descriptions and 86% like to see lawyer profiles (source). 

4. Enhance credibility

Trust and credibility are crucial in the legal sector. Clients want to work with attorneys they trust and most people focus their search for a law firm on offices that have an excellent reputation. Having a website for your law firm is an effective way to boost credibility and show clients why they should have confidence in you. You can use your website to provide accurate, useful, insightful information, share statistics and client reviews and testimonials, and introduce your team and offer information about their qualifications and areas of expertise. You can also use web design and branding to underline and promote your core values and show people what your firm stands for and why you are a leader in your field. 

In a sector where trust is critical, not having a website can contribute to a lack of confidence. Prospective clients may not trust a firm that doesn’t have an online presence and this could cause them to explore other firms. 

5. Customize experiences to create positive impressions

Law firms and businesses don’t have to have their own websites to have an online presence, but there are significant benefits to creating and running your own site. When you launch a website, you have control over the content you produce and share, branding, design and site function. You can customize experiences and manage content to create positive impressions and convey the messages that you want to share with existing and prospective clients. If you don’t have a website, people may not get the impression you want them to get or they might only get a snapshot of what your firm offers. 

6. Encourage clients to take the next step

Figures from The National Law Review indicate that 74% of people who search online for a law firm will contact the office via telephone (source). Your website can help you to attract prospective clients and give them a sense of what your firm offers and what you stand for, but it can also encourage clients to take that all-important next step. This may involve calling the office, sending an online enquiry or scheduling a call or a consultation, for example. 

7. Start building relationships

The relationship between a client and an attorney is unique. People want to find a lawyer they trust and they want to work with law firms that make them feel welcome and comfortable. A website can act as a springboard to help law firms to establish relationships and encourage interaction and engagement. With a professional website, you can connect with clients and get to know them before you meet in person.

There are millions of websites, but not all of them are successful. Working with a professional web design company offers an array of advantages for attorneys and law firms looking to attract new clients, enhance their online presence, optimize ROI and boost efficiency. Here are some of the key reasons why professional web design is advantageous for law firms:

1. Creating the right impression

In the legal field, it is vital to set the right tone and create the right impression when prospective clients discover your firm. Just as it’s imperative to get off on the right foot when you meet a client in person for the first time, it’s important that your website sends the right message. Experienced web designers create sites that are tailored to the organization and the target client or user. They use themes, layouts, images and design features to portray brand values and encourage visitors to form impressions that align with key objectives. Clients want to find law firms that are reputable, reliable and trustworthy. It’s essential that your website promotes these values, strengths and traits. 

2. A professional, polished product

Web design is a complex skill and it requires expertise and experience. If you don’t have experience in web design, working with an agency that has expertise in the relevant field can help you to reap the rewards of a professional, polished product. Experts can create a site that not only looks incredible but also delivers a fantastic user experience.

3. Freeing up time

One of the main advantages of outsourcing services like web design, SEO (search engine optimization) and email and social media marketing is freeing up time for your core team. If you run a busy law firm, it’s unlikely that your employees will have time to spend on tasks related to web design, development and marketing. 

4. Improve lead conversion rates

Having a law firm website is an effective way to generate more leads, but it can also help you to enhance the quality of those leads and improve lead conversion rates. Even if you have a successful SEO campaign, which drives traffic to your website, you can still fail in the quest to attract clients. If your website is drab or dull, it lacks information, or the pages are slow to load or not suitable for mobile devices, you run the risk of losing prospective clients. Web designers utilize rigorous processes to optimize the look of the site, how it functions and the experience it offers to encourage users to take the next step. 

5. Access to expert advice and insights

Web design is an ever-evolving art and there are several elements that go into a successful website. If you work with an experienced, creative agency that has an excellent track record, you will gain access to expert advice and insights that will help your law firm to capitalize on the popularity of the web and use your website to achieve key objectives. 

6. Personalized services

There are lots of guides about web design available online and articles that offer tips and advice to help business owners and individuals to build sites. One of the key benefits of hiring professionals is receiving a personalized service. No two clients are the same and there is no universal blueprint for a successful website. If you hire an agency, the team you work with should take the time to get to know you and discuss your primary targets and goals before they start developing a plan for your website. 

Web design covers a diverse range of elements that should come together to elevate a site and deliver results. We have a simple, comprehensive 5-step process, which is designed to cover all bases to enhance user experience, aesthetics and outcomes. The five steps are outlined below:

1. Discovery

The first stage is to discover everything there is to know about the client and the website. At this point, communication is our priority. Our team meets with the client and soaks up information like a giant sponge. We want to know everything about our clients, the services they provide and the target audience to make sure we understand what is required. Our job is to represent the firm accurately. To do this, we need to know everything from the practice areas and the overarching business objectives to the core values and the target client.

Once we have an accurate insight into the firm, the team and the client base, we turn our attention to the website. We outline macro and micro goals and we go through the sitemap using tools and exercises to look at the structure and design. At this juncture, we value our client’s ideas and input. If you have suggestions, or you’ve seen websites that you like or features and design elements that your competitors are using, we actively encourage you to share them with us. 

2. Design

Web design is all about turning ideas and visions into reality and bringing concepts to life. At this stage, we focus on desktop and mobile web design, utilizing innovative tools like Figma to enhance UI (user interface) and UX (user experience). We analyze the full sitemap and gather as much information as possible. 

3. Development

The development phase covers front-end HTML, back-end PHP and CMS integration. We have many years of experience in working with WordPress websites and using development tools and strategies to create functional sites that are simple to maintain and update. 

4. QA/Testing

The QA (quality assurance)/ testing phase is designed to provide feedback and test design and development elements before the site goes live. We use Pastel to test and collect feedback related to mobile, desktop and cross-browser use. At this stage, we’ll test the site and we’ll also encourage the client to have a walk-through and give their feedback. You can suggest edits or changes, share ideas and opinions and tell us what you like or dislike before the site launches. It’s hugely beneficial to identify weaknesses and implement changes before launch day. We will always make sure that you are 100% happy with your website before it goes live. 

5. Launch

The final step is the most exciting: the site goes live. Our team will update the DNS, issue the new SSL certificate and enable the cloud content delivery network to accelerate site speed.

WordPress is one of the most popular open-source content management systems in the world. When it first launched, WordPress was used commonly for personal blogs, but it quickly evolved into a powerful platform for businesses and organizations across a diverse range of industries. Many organizations, including law firms, now use WordPress and its impressive in-built content management system. 

Elevating your WordPress website

If you’re looking to get more out of your WordPress website or elevate performance levels, we are here to help. We offer a comprehensive service, which moves from the start to the finish to optimize outcomes. Our first job is to analyze the site and get to know clients. We evaluate speed and performance, visual appeal and technologies to identify weak points and highlight pain points and problems. We use the 5-step process outlined above to elevate the site, address issues, make improvements and optimize performance. From boosting speed and user experience to driving traffic through SEO, we know what it takes to turn an average website into an outstanding website. 

WordPress maintenance

We don’t just specialize in designing and developing websites. We can also help you to take the hassle and stress out of maintaining your WordPress website with efficient, cost-effective WordPress maintenance services. We implement systems and tools to make maintenance easy and facilitate updates and improvements. Our clients receive a monthly WP report. Maintenance services cover the following:

• Security checks
• WordPress backups
• Monitoring uptime
• Plugin updates
• Performance checks
• SEO ranking
• Google Analytics
• Theme updates and upgrades
• Vulnerability checks
• Clone/migration

Wordpress Hosting

We provide seamless, hassle-free, affordable hosting services, which improve SEO results and save our clients time, effort and money. Whether you’re considering migrating an existing WordPress site, or you’re launching a new site for your law firm, our team will handle the process for you. With our WordPress hosting services, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Fully-managed services to free up time and save stress
• Enhanced security
• Speed
• Daily backups
• Quick, easy migration
• Enhanced SEO

It’s our goal to design the best possible website for your law firm. The vast majority of law firms now have a website, but some are much more effective and influential than others. Here are some key features of a good law firm website:

1. Accurate, accessible information

Many people who search for an attorney or a lawyer online are looking for information. They don’t just want to find a telephone number or an email address. Increasingly, people want to find out more about the practice, the team and the services on offer. When creating a website, it’s essential to provide accurate, reliable information that is accessible. Landing pages, articles and guides should be easy to find and the content should be interesting and digestible. 

2. Mobile-friendly

Over half of all search engine traffic comes from mobile devices (source) and figures are increasing year after year. As more and more people use tablets and smartphones to find businesses and explore and research online, it’s critical to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. If your site is dated and the pages are not mobile-friendly, they might not open properly and the user experience will suffer.

3. Clear, consistent branding

Your website should provide an insight into your brand and the history and culture of your law firm. The branding should be clear and consistent. From your logo and identity marks to the font you choose and the themes you use, everything should be relevant to the firm and the target market. You want the client to feel reassured that they have landed on the right page if they search for a law firm and create a positive first impression. Testing and gathering feedback is incredibly valuable to ensure that your site presents your firm in the best possible light. 

4. Detailed practice area pages

Many law firms specialize in practice areas rather than covering all fields. If a client is looking for a specific service, they need to be able to find information about the relevant area quickly and easily. A good law firm website should provide detailed information about the practice areas you cover. You can include a list on your homepage with links and tabs to offer additional information and advice about each area. 

5. Meet the team

It is incredibly important for clients to have a positive relationship with their lawyer. Law firms can start to make connections, enhance credibility and build trust by adding a ‘meet the team’ page. Lawyer profiles and bios give prospective clients information about attorneys and their qualifications and areas of interest, and they can help to break down barriers by putting faces to names. It’s also helpful to include a page about the firm, its history and the core company values. 

6. Reviews and client testimonials

More than 90% of people use online reviews to find products and businesses and organizations that offer services (source). Reviews provide a useful reference point for customers and clients and they are often very influential. Negative reviews tend to put people off while positive reviews have the opposite effect. Sharing reviews and client testimonials can help you to enhance trust and encourage people to contact you. As well as client reviews, you can also add case studies and press articles. 

7. Statistics

Statistics jump out on the page, they command attention and they can help you back up claims and give prospective clients an idea of what to expect. Your homepage may mention how many clients you have helped or how much money you’ve recovered through settlements, for example. 

8. Settlements

Most people who are looking to hire an attorney want to find a law firm with an incredible record. Law firms may claim that they have an excellent reputation and a fantastic track record, but there’s a difference between saying something and backing it up with facts and figures. Including settlement data is a brilliant way to add weight to claims and showcase the successes of your team. 

9. Calls to action

Clear calls to action are beneficial for both law firms and prospective clients. Adding a clear call to action makes it easy for clients to take the next step or solve a problem while improving lead conversion rates. Make it quick and simple for your clients to contact you online, find a telephone number or email address, or sign up for emails. You can also use a call to action to promote a service or incentive, such as a free consultation or virtual chat. 

10. Contact details

Most people who visit a law firm website will need to take further steps to achieve their objective. Finding information online, reading articles and browsing landing pages can be very helpful, but most people will need to make a phone call or organize a meeting with an attorney once they’ve visited a website. A slick, professional website should have an accessible contact us page and links to contact details. Ensure that all the information is up-to-date. Adding live chat can help you to provide assistance for clients 24/7 and enhance customer service and support. 

11. Blog

Adding a blog to your law firm website is an excellent way to provide clients with more information about legal matters and practice areas and improve your search ranking through optimized content. It’s a good idea to use videos and images to enhance readability. 

If you’re thinking about hiring a web design agency, you may be wondering if it’s the right choice for you. Here are some reasons to consider working with professionals:

• Boost lead generation and conversion
• Optimize website performance
• Customize your site to suit your firm’s objectives
• Create a bespoke, enjoyable experience for your clients
• Tell people all about your law firm and what makes it different
• Make your law firm more visible online
• Take the stress out of site maintenance
• Move with the times to gain a competitive advantage
• Represent your firm accurately and positively
• Iron out problems and address pain points

What to look for in a law firm web design agency

It’s understandable to want to make the right decision if you’re searching for a web design agency to help you launch a new website or improve an existing law firm website. Here are some factors to look out for:

• Industry experience: look for agencies that have experience in the law sector
• Track record and results
• Positive reviews and testimonials
• A personalized, bespoke service
• Excellent customer service and support
• Open communication
• Good value for money
• Innovation and creativity
• Proficiency in using the latest tools and technologies
• Case studies, portfolios and examples available to view

Law firm web design services are designed to help law firms to attract clients, enhance credibility and promote services online. More and more people are starting their search for an attorney online. Having a smooth-running, seamless, visually appealing website can help law firms to reach new clients, create positive impressions and generate and convert more leads. Professional web design agencies create functional, attractive, bespoke websites, which deliver results and help law firms to reap the rewards of having an online presence.

If you’re looking for a web design agency to help you launch a new website for your law firm, or you’d like expert advice about updating your website, don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

What is web design?

Web design is a service, which focuses on how a website looks and functions and the experience it provides for the user. 

Why do law firms need a website?

There are many benefits of having a website in the legal sector. Websites provide useful information for prospective clients, they can help you to create leads through SEO (search engine optimization) and they enhance credibility and trust. If you don’t have a website, you may lose out to competitors that do have a website and it will be more difficult for clients to find you and learn about your firm. 

What are the benefits of hiring a web design agency?

Working with a web design agency enables you to access expert skills while focusing all your time on priority tasks like working on cases and liaising with clients. Web design agencies take care of design and development and they can also assist with hosting and site maintenance. Experts have the knowledge and experience to implement ideas and concepts and use tools and technologies to optimize site performance and help clients to achieve key objectives.