For many professionals, updating a website can be a daunting task. But with some planning and the right tools, you can make it more manageable. Users are demanding more of professional service providers over the last decade, and websites have had to develop to satisfy those expectations. As a result, you may be unsure of where to start when thinking about upgrading your site’s design or functionality. Here are ten tips for refreshing your law firm’s website from Ozeran Law Workers Comp Lawyer, the lawyer who knows what it takes to work on both sides of the screen!
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Consider your target audience and your end-user experience
When updating your law firm’s website, you should always begin with user experience in mind. So by focusing on your target audience that includes potential clients, other attorneys, students, referral sources, potential hires, and court staff, you will be better able to design a website that caters to their needs. It is important to remember that people using your website are unfamiliar with the law. So take care in presenting complex material in an easily understandable way. One way of making your website user-centric is by asking your potential users for feedback on specific pages or features of your website.
Review the analytics report for your website
Your website’s analytic data will give you a good idea of how your website is currently performing. This data can help you understand what pages are being visited the most, what search terms are being used to find your site, and how long people stay on your pages. Armed with this information, you can begin to decide which pages need improvement and which pages are performing well. You can also use your analytic data to determine where to focus your advertising dollars.
You can get design inspiration from your competitors’ websites
Performing a website audit of your competitors is a great way to find design inspiration for your website. By looking at the websites of firms in your area or practice specialty, you can understand what current design trends are popular and what is working well for them. You don’t have to copy their designs but simply take inspiration from their blog homepage and attorney profiles. For instance, you can find out if scrolling images will enhance your site or better off being static. This way, you can ensure the new design stands out from the competition but still fits with your mission and values.
Add your firm’s branding to your website
You should reflect your firm’s brand identity throughout your website by using similar fonts, colors, and images. For example, if you use cool blues in your marketing collateral, these colors should be prevalent across all sections of your site. This way, visitors will know they are on the same website no matter what page they land on. And this familiarity will help to guide them through often complex content. This is your opportunity to unleash your creative side and show off your firm’s personality. For instance, you can merge your love for a hobby, say golfing, into the color theme of your homepage or add a quote from a firm member on the “About Us” page.
Consider the overall structure of the website
Use your competitor analysis to help you structure your website in a way that is easy for visitors to navigate. When creating the overall layout, you should consider what pages will be the most important to your visitors and make them easily accessible from the homepage. You may also want to include a search bar on every page so that visitors can quickly find what they are looking for. Your website analytics data is an invaluable resource as you begin to work on your website’s architecture. You can use this data to see how people navigate your website and then build upon the design by improving those sections that need it most.
Define your workflow
Decide how many review cycles your new website needs before beginning the design process. This is not a decision to be taken lightly because it will ultimately affect the time frame of your project. If you have a tight deadline, you may need more review cycles to ensure all stakeholders are happy with the end product. However, fewer review cycles may be needed if you have more time. Either way, it is important to plan how to create the website and who will be responsible for communicating changes to the developers.
Choose the right content management systems
Research different content management systems (CMS) and decide which one is right for your firm. A CMS allows you to update your website content without knowing how to code easily. This will be especially important as you make changes to your website over time. There are many different CMS options available, so take the time to research those that best fit your needs. You’ll need a platform that is easy to use with a simple interface so that multiple members of your firm can contribute to website updates with minimal training. Also, personalization is an important consideration, as you’ll want to be able to create a unique website that accurately reflects your firm’s brand.
Embed social media channels
Study your competitors’ social media channels and how they have embedded these channels on their websites. If a channel is relevant for your target market, you should consider adding it to your design. Social media is an important platform that will help drive traffic to your site and give visitors another way to interact with you online. Ensure that your chosen channels are well integrated into your website design and easy to use.
Updating and creating new content
Once you have a plan for your website, it’s time to start writing and designing content. You’ll want to make sure the information on your site is valuable and easy for visitors to find. Reusing content is okay but make sure that it’s up to date. Also, it’s important to create new content frequently, so visitors have a reason to keep coming back for more.
Search engine optimization for your website
Make sure your website is search engine friendly by using the appropriate keywords and phrases throughout the site. For instance, you can use keywords in the titles of your pages, in the text, and in the URLs. You can also use Google AdWords to help you identify the right keywords for your target market. Additionally, make sure your website is fast loading so that visitors don’t get impatient and leave before they have a chance to see what you have to offer.
If you want to create a successful website, it’s important to ensure your site architecture and design are on point. That means putting in some time studying how people navigate the web, choosing the right CMS for your company, and including social media channels if they’re relevant for your target market. Also, updating or creating new content regularly, optimizing for search engines with keywords will help set you up for success! Keep in mind that website design is an ongoing process, and you’ll need to continuously update and create new content to keep visitors coming back for more.
