What makes the optimal law firm website?

Having a website that is functional and attractive is perhaps the best way to ensure that potential clients see your law firm as professional and accessible. In many ways, your website is the face of your law firm. If your site doesn’t make a good first impression, the prospects will never become clients.

So what elements make up a great attorney website?

First, your site absolutely must feature responsive web design. This means that your site responds to the screen size of the mobile device. A responsive website works well on a smartphone screen and an 80 inch television screen. Don’t drive people away from your site with an old non-responsive design. More and more people want to view your website on the go. A mobile-friendly website is a must.

If you are a larger firm that employs a number of different attorneys, it is imperative that you provide potential clients with the ability to search them based of different criteria. Some people may be interested in searching for an attorney based on location, while another is concerned with finding the most experienced. The more interactive the searches are, the better chance your clients will have to find what they are looking for.

The main goal of your website should be to facilitate any clients looking to make direct contact with you. That is why your contact methods should be featured prominently on your site. There should be no ambiguity about how to contact you. Multiple phone numbers and email addresses should be listed, along with a direct contact form on your page. Putting links to your contact information on your website’s header is the best way to insure its visibility. We also recommend to show your physical address in the footer area of your site.

The best way to transform a boring website into an authority website is by regularly posting to your blog. Make sure that your blog offers valuable information and links to helpful resources, rather than just sales pitches for your firm. Establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your field, and the dividends will pay off long term. Be sure to promote your blog posts through social media platforms for an even wider reach. Speaking of which, include the social media profiles of each of your attorneys on your site to establish personal and professional connections between them and potential clients.

Your website should showcase all of the good work that you have done. The best way to do this is to allow your satisfied clients to speak for themselves. Include testimonials from your clients that highlight your strengths. Consider incorporating multimedia to create a more visceral connection for viewers. You can also ask your clients to review your services on outside web pages like Google+, Yelp, or Angie’s List. A great attorney website encourages connectivity across a variety of platforms.