Creating a law firm website that helps your practice thrive

This month, we’re offering a series of blog posts and a free webcast all focusing on simple, actionable strategies firms can put in place to kick start their digital marketing plan. Be sure to check out our latest post on gaining exposure for your law firm on search engines, and download our webcast, “Attract and Keep Clients: Everything You Need to Know About Digital Marketing for Your Law Firm,” here.

2020 has forced lawyers to adapt to new technology and embrace a more digital world. With hearings held via Zoom and a newfound dependence on lawyer apps and case management software, attorneys have adjusted to new requirements and continued to thrive.  

Along with updating their case management systems, firms are finding themselves in need of developing or strengthening an online marketing strategy. More and more, potential clients are using the internet to find attorneys to help with their legal needs. The most successful law firms will be the ones with a strong digital presence. If you haven’t yet created a website for your law firm, now is the time.  

For digital newbies, creating a website often sounds intimidating – but there’s never been a better time to be a DIY web designer. We’ll break the process down into three manageable steps – purchasing a domain name, selecting a website builder and hosting, and developing content. 

Purchasing a domain name

What’s a domain name, and why do you need one? 

A domain name is the URL or address of your site, for example www.smokeball.com. This is the information that allows visitors to find your website. Most law firms will want to use either their name or a phrase related to their business as their domain name. Domain names are usually quite affordable and can be purchased from what’s called a domain registrar. Examples of domain registrars include Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Google Domains. Once you have purchased (or “registered”) your domain name, you will be able to use it on your website. 

Select a website builder and hosting

Hosting is the like plot of land you build your house (or in this case, website) upon. You can often purchase hosting through your domain registrar, or you can purchase it separately from sites like SiteGround or HostGator. Depending on what platform you use to build your website, hosting may be included. 

If you want to build a basic website quickly with no coding knowledge necessary, a drag and drop website builder like Squarespace or Wix is a great option. Most of these builders will charge a monthly fee and supply hosting for your site. 

Another popular choice is WordPress. WordPress offers increased customizability when compared to the above drag and drop builders and is preferred by those who want to build more complex websites. With WordPress, you will need to purchase your own hosting. 

Develop content

Now that you’ve got a place and the tools to build your website, it’s time to create some content. Common sections on lawyer websites include details about practice areas and services, attorney and staff profiles, and contact information. You may also consider including a blog. When regularly updated with articles relevant to your desired audience, a blog can be a great way to drive traffic to your site. But above all else, your main goal in setting up your website should be to make sure visitors know who you are, what you do, and why you are the best choice for their legal issue. 

In future blog posts we’ll be exploring ways to continue increasing your digital presence through search engine optimization, social media, effective branding, and more. Whether you’re a personal injury lawyer, specialize in family law, or anything in between – the time is now to fully modernize your marketing strategy. The most effective case management system or billing software is only useful with a healthy load of clients, and we’ll be giving you the tools to ensure your law firm thrives in 2020 and beyond.