Common Law Firm Web Design Mistakes
Cluttered or Overcrowded Layout
Having too much information can be overwhelming for visitors. Yet, this is a common mistake a lot of law firms make with their web design. Having too much content on a single page, pop-ups, or calls to action on a single page are some examples. Cramming every practice area, attorney bio, legal update, and FAQ onto the homepage-or worse, every page, are other specific examples of this.
Unclear or Inconsistent Branding
Your website should feel like a cohesive, professional office-not a patchwork of mismatched décor. Inconsistent branding is like having a mahogany desk in one room and plastic patio furniture in the next.
Lack of a cohesive visual identity or messaging on your law firm’s website causes confusion. Whether it’s different colors, fonts, or even messaging or tone, these inconsistencies are quickly noticed by visitors. With inconsistent branding, your website is not only jarring, but can even come off as unprofessional.
Poor Navigation
Imagine calling a law firm and being transferred from receptionist to paralegal to voicemail, and never reaching the attorney you’d like to work with. Poor navigation is the digital equivalent.
If visitors can’t find essential information, such as contact info or practice areas quickly, it can lead to frustration. Overcomplicated menus or hidden links are a sure way to lose potential clients as well, and should be avoided. If you bury important pages under layers of menus, use unclear labels, or offer too many choices at once, this will negatively affect user experience and lead to frustration and higher bounce rates.
Lack of Mobile Optimization
If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential clients. If your website only looks good or works properly on desktop, you’re turning away half your audience.
Take car accident attorneys for example. If someone is involved in a car accident and are looking for attorneys, the first thing they’ll do is look up a law firm online on their phone. If your website isn’t mobile friendly, your competitors who have properly optimized for mobile will be getting all of these potential clients.
Lack of Trust Signals and Social Proof
Choosing a lawyer or attorney is a big decision. Clients want proof you’re the right choice, and want to know that they’re choosing a reputable, experienced firm. If your site lacks testimonials, case results, or professional affiliations or awards, your website may be turning away visitors before you know it.
Ignoring SEO
A beautiful website is useless if no one finds it in search results pages. SEO isn’t just for big firms—it’s essential for every practice’s marketing strategy. If your website isn’t optimized for search engines and local queries, you’re invisible to many potential clients searching for legal help nearby. Forgoing SEO completely can be a costly mistake for your website.
Slow Load Times
Slow loading websites drives visitors away out of frustration. If your site takes too long to load, visitors will bounce – and Google will penalize you in search rankings. By making sure your website is built correct and loads quickly, your website will provide information quickly for clients who need assistance.
Missing or Weak Calls to Action (CTAs)
If someone lands on your website, but doesn’t know what next step to take, they could leave your site quickly without taking immediate action. With missing or weak CTAs, your law firm is missing out on clients who aren’t sure what their next steps should be.
Lack of Contact Information
Improve Your Law Firm Website
At Nine Isle Solutions, we create websites for law firms looking to grow. Get in touch today about your law firm website!