Attorney Website Design Blog

The success of your law firm’s website is a driving force in any marketing campaign. When determining just how well your site is doing, you cannot rely solely on contact inquiries submitted through the website forms. You must also consider visitors, searching for an attorney, who learn of your practice areas and services through your site but contact you in a different manner. A good way to get a comprehensive overview of all visitors to your website is through Google Analytics.

This free service offered by Google gives you a keen understanding of who is visiting your law firm’s website and what they are doing once they arrive on the site. This can serve as an effective tool in strengthening your online marketing efforts.

These traffic reports may assist you in the following ways:

Determining the effectiveness of your site’s content
Google Analytics gives you a detailed report for each page on your site allowing you to see how many times it’s been viewed, how long the average visitor stays there and how many people leave your site from that page. If you find that the average visitor is staying on one of your practice area pages for a very short period of time or is leaving your site upon visiting that page, you will want to reassess the information stored there to learn what is deterring potential clients from making contact with your law office.

Discovering what keywords are leading visitors to your site
This service tells you where your site’s visitors are coming from (various referrers might include multiple search engines, other websites with links to your site or email marketing campaigns) and what keywords users are searching to find your law practice. If a keyword central to your practice is missing, you should edit your content accordingly.

Identifying your site’s visitors geographic locations
Once you log in to your Google Analytics account, you can also determine the geographic locations of visitors to your website by country, state or city. This information is especially helpful if you have multiple locations or are trying to reach several cities or states.

Google Analytics is a free service and registration only takes about five minutes. If you would like to get started with this valuable service and learn how people find your site and navigate through it, contact us for additional information.

Adding audio or video files to your website is a great way to deliver additional information about your firm’s services and practice areas to potential or current clients. Using Amicus Creative’s exclusive Site Manager, it is easy to add these files to any custom page within your website. When uploading a file, you may add a title and description, and the Site Manager will automatically program a player to accommodate the file you’ve uploaded.

If you have recordings of a seminar you’ve hosted, a podcast or a television segment in which you’ve appeared, we encourage you to upload these files to your site. Website visitors who view or listen to this media may get a better understanding of you and your work further encouraging them to contact you. To learn more about adding audio or video files to you website, contact our customer support team today.
 

When people see the five interlocking rings of the Olympic Games, the international sporting event instantly comes to mind.The symbol has deep meaning for the athletes who adorn it and is recognizable to those who see it--these rings exemplify a powerful logo.

All law firms, large and small, should have a logo which is easily recognizable by their clients and an accurate representation of the firm’s philosophy and mission.  A professionally designed logo is an integral part of any marketing campaign and when strategically placed on your firm’s stationery, website and business cards can bring consistency among all of your marketing efforts

Amicus Creative's design and marketing experts can work with you to develop a logo that conveys your values and expertise. Once the logo has been completed, we will provide you with the graphic in multiple formats which can be used on all of your print media and website.

To learn more about Amicus Creative’s logo services, please visit our logo portfolio page or contact us today to give your firm an identity that is unforgettable.
 

Blogging can be a great way to deliver information to your firm's website visitors and keep an ongoing relationship with your current clients even when you are not actively handling their legal matters.  Amicus Creative’s Blog Management system makes blogging easy, allowing you to add a new blog post in just a couple of minutes.

To further improve this feature and increase blog exposure on your attorney website, Amicus Creative has created a blog module which automatically displays the titles with respective links to your three most recent blog entries on every page throughout your website. This new capability draws attention to your blog updates as soon as a user lands on your site. There is no extra charge for this feature and we can have it added to your site in just a few minutes.

To learn more about our new home page blog module or to have it added to your Amicus Creative website, contact us today.

When researching the many strategies used in search engine optimization, the term “PageRank” is sure to come up. Quite simply explained, "PageRank" generally measures how many, if any, websites provide a hyperlink back to your website.  In essence, search engines interpret these link-backs to your website as an endorsement of your website’s credibility and relevancy.  All other things being equal, a website that has “link-backs” from many other highly ranked, relevant sites will rank better than a page with no "link-backs."

If you want to increase traffic to your website, you should understand how Google and other search engines use this technique so you can attain higher positions on search engine result pages (SERPs) for important searches including your practice areas and location.

When determining how and where to get these links back to your site, it is important to understand that search engines measure not only the quantity of outside links but equally important the quality and relevancy of the sites that link back to you.  Some companies engage in “link schemes”, posting a link to your site for payment or in exchange for placement on your website. We advise all website owners to steer clear of such proposals as these tactics can actually adversely affect your rankings with search engines.

When considering your site's PageRank, follow the tips below:

• Less is more in some cases: It is better to have 3 highly ranked pages link back to your site than 40 “spam” sites.
• Update your professional profiles: As attorneys and members of professional organizations, you may be able to post your profile on the respective organization's website. Take advantage of this opportunity, when available, and use this space to list your experience, practice areas and website URL. If you are not sure if your local bar association or other membership groups offer this option, contact your membership coordinator and play an active role in gathering links to your website.
• Give the links more meaning: If given the opportunity to place your link on an external site, have the “anchor tag” (the text that is displayed in the link) include key words such as those of your practice area and city and state as well as a word denoting your profession (attorney, law firm, etc).  Further, have the links go to relevant pages inside your site, not just your home page.  This is known as “deep linking” and can be especially effective.
• Give them something to talk about: The greatest way to get links back to your site is to make your site a resource that other website owners will come to trust and value. If a blogger or editor of an online publication sees your site as a resource, they will be more inclined to post it on their site.

And one final note, “PageRank” was first developed by Google and named in honor of co-founder Larry Page- it does not refer to a web “page”.  Since then, other search engines have adopted similar methodologies as part of their algorithms. 
 

There is no time more fitting to reflect on the past year and express our sincerest gratitude to all of our wonderful clients. As most of you know, our team has been hard at work developing and launching LegalVault, improving capabilities within the Site Manager and writing more legal content for your websites. All of our successes in 2009 would not have been possible without your helpful suggestions and continued support.

The entire team at Amicus Creative joins together in wishing all of our valued clients and friends a very happy holiday and a joyous new year.We look forwarding to working with you in 2010!
 

This week representatives from Amicus Creative will be visiting Amelia Island, Florida for the Annual National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) Conference. Our team members will be on hand to discuss our services and give you a demonstration of our user-friendly Site Manager which allows your law firm to easily manage your website.

With a plethora of content on Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Special Needs Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Elder Law and Veteran's Benefits, Amicus Creative is well equipped to meet the needs of Estate Planning Attorneys. Additionally, we offer interactive website tools like the Estate Tax Calculator and Attorney Blogging system which keep potential and current clients coming back to your firm's site. 

LegalVault, our advanced document storage system can also be incorporated seamlessly into your firm’s website. With 24/7 access to all their most important documents, this unique feature will give your clients peace of mind while ensuring your firm remains at the forefront of providing premium client service.

We look forward to seeing you in Florida!

The legal team at Amicus Creative Media has been hard at work adding new legal content to our practice area library. Our newest content additions include Criminal Defense, DWI Defense, Immigration (Deportation Defense, I-9 Compliance, Temporary Visas, attaining Permanent Residence status), Civil Litigation and Employment Law. In the upcoming weeks, we will be expanding our content library even more adding information on Family Law, Matrimonial Matters and Guardianships. As a client of Amicus Creative, you are always entitled to use our content at no extra charge. We encourage you to log into the Site Manager today and see all of the new material which Amicus Creative has to offer!

Amicus Creative Media proudly announces the launch of LegalVault™, an advanced document storage and exchange system which allows your firm to easily and securely upload and maintain clients’ documents and vital information for convenient retrieval.

HealthCare Documents & Information
LegalVault gives both attorney and client the option to add or edit healthcare documents and information including emergency contacts, allergies, medications, medical conditions and physician information. In the event of an emergency, hospital personnel can view this information using a secure Hospital PIN. Access to this information can help doctors treat your clients more effectively, notify and inform emergency contacts and ensure their healthcare wished are honored.

Document Storage
You and your clients can also upload non-healthcare documents to LegalVault. With the capability to add documents with an optional date and description, virtually any type of document such as deeds, policy statements and tax returns can be added. 

Each LegalVault account also allows clients to upload sensitive information regarding their assets and list their advisors. Clients will also have the option to store their various online passwords ensuring that their virtual legacy is also remembered in their planning. LegalVault’s multiple levels of access guarantee that medical providers who login to your clients’ accounts are not able to view non-healthcare-related documents and information.

Secure Document Exchange
LegalVault serves as an ideal platform for secure document exchange. Your law firm and clients can easily login through your firm’s website to upload any non-healthcare- related documents (such as trusts and deeds). This is significantly safer than sending sensitive documents via fax or email notification. With each new document added by your clients, you will receive an email notification allowing you to securely retrieve the documents.

LegalVault offers a more comprehensive approach to document storage. Unlike traditional document storage systems, your clients will always have access to these documents through your firm’s website, giving them piece of mind and ensuring that your firm remains at the forefront of providing premium client service.

To learn more about LegalVault, please visit www.legalvault.com or contact us directly at 877-269-0076.

The ABA Law Practice Management Section stresses the importance of effective attorney websites writing, "Above all, remember that your Web site is your most visible first impression. It also has a chance of being your second and third impression, if it is compelling enough to draw visitors back."

In developing the first impression you want to convey to visitors, it is important that you determine who you are trying to attract with your web presence. The primary focus of your site might be recruiting new clients, networking opportunities with other advisors, providing updates and materials to current clients or even to serve as a recruitment vehicle for job and internship openings at your firm. With the right design and content, your website can be customized to appeal to any one of the groups listed above or to multiple audiences all at the same time.

New Clients:
The majority of law firms use their websites to recruit new clients. In order for this goal to be achieved, there must be strong search engine optimization techniques in place but also effective content which will appeal to those individuals searching for an attorney in your field.

When building and updating your legal website it is important to note that new clients will come across hundreds of lawyer directories and websites so it is essential that your content is easy to read and a good indicator of the type of services you provide. Be sure to clearly list your practice areas, your experience and what sets you apart from your competitors. Furthermore, if state ethics regulations allow, you may want to add testimonials from current clients who sing your praises. Our custom testimonial page allows you to easily add as many client testimonials as you see fit and formats these entries perfectly on your site every time.

Networking Opportunities with Other Professionals:
When someone refers your firm to another professional in your field or a fellow advisor reads an article of yours in a local publication, the first thing they are likely to do is Google your firm; with this search they are attempting to learn more about you and what you have to offer. Like potential clients, they may be interested in learning of your education, experience and your practice as a whole. Furthermore, they may be looking for notable cases and even big-name clients you have represented.  You may consider having an “Advisors” section where you can list relevant articles for these professionals demonstrating your expertise and illustrating the mutual benefit which they may reap from working with you.

As a Resource for Your Current Clients:
In addition to attracting new clients, your site may serve as resource for existing clients. You may want to post client forms, toolkits or surveys on a “Clients Only” page. Amicus Creative’s Site Manager even allows you to password protect pages, meaning that you can make certain pages in your site reserved for clients who will use a shared username and password to gain access.  If your clients rely on you for explanations of current laws or cases in the news, you may want to send out newsletters or post new blog entries that explore the impact of the law.

To Recruit New Attorneys, Staff and Interns:
Posting your employment opportunities on major job sites can be expensive and quite time consuming as they often result in hundreds of resumes which must then be reviewed. A website that can be easily updated provides a perfect venue through which to recruit qualified and interested parties for open positions at your firm. An attractive site which outlines the strengths of your firm may catch the eye of promising interns who scour the web looking for summer jobs which will provide them with great experience under knowledgeable mentors in their area of law. Also, posting employment openings to your site allows clients or colleagues to review the information and refer potential employees. As with all job postings, it is important to provide a description of the position, requirements and preferred method of submission for resumes.

The Amicus Creative Site Manager allows all of the previous suggestions to be easily implemented. With the ability to add unlimited custom pages and articles at any time, you can create unique sections that appeal to the many audiences you are trying to reach.

Over the past few years, legal weblogs, also referred to as blogs, have become increasingly popular as a medium through which individuals can communicate their thoughts on a wide array of issues. When utilized correctly, your law blog can help you attract new clients, keep you connected to current clients, establish you as an authority in your respective areas of practice and assist with search engine optimization. Below we have provided you with some tips on the ins and outs of maintaining a successful blog.

Blog Topics
First and foremost, your blog entries and the topics they cover should be interesting.  You may wish to use local or national news stories to highlight the need for your services. For example, if you are an estate planning attorney, you might post a blog entry about a celebrity death and the aftermath as it relates to their estate plan. If you are an elder law attorney, you may wish to track a proposed law concerning Medicare as it makes its way through the House and Senate detailing the implications for your clients. 

It is important to note that blog entries are not intended to be scholarly pieces. Instead, they allow you to reflect on a certain issue and express your professional opinion on the matter.  As you write these entries, let your own voice be heard. Your site should serve as a place where potential clients can get a good feel of who you are and what you have to offer; your blog can help convey both your expertise and personality.

To encourage people to read these posts, you should keep them short. At times it is okay to write a lengthier piece, when the subject matter requires a more thorough discussion, but this should not be the norm with all blog entries.

How Often
The success of your blog lies not only in the quality of your blog entries but also in how frequently you post new content to the page. With your law blog, be regular.  You should try to write at least once or twice a week.  Finding time to write can be difficult so it might be a wise decision to schedule in one or two spots throughout the week to sit down and tackle new blog entries.

As professionals, you stay up-to-date on developments within your field. Use the Amicus Creative Blogging System to share this knowledge with others and make more contacts with individuals interested in your work. Visitors can subscribe via email to automatically be notified of new blog entries. More sophisticated subscribers can use the RSS feature.