All About Lawyers

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

7 Common Misconceptions About Law Firm Websites

by: Matthew Samp

Many website design firms have courted the legal market to create website for law firms. The problem is, most designers don�t understand the unique needs of a lawyer, how the firms operate and how to create a website that makes money for the lawyer.

Following are seven common misconceptions about law firm websites.

MISCONCEPTION #1: I can create my own website.

If you're happy with a website that gives visitors basic information about you, then you're right. You don't need to have a website that works.

However, if you want a website that will consistently bring in cases, it has to be different from the websites of other lawyers in your area.

Further, it has to give the visitor a reason to contact you. Simply offering a free consultation or free report is not enough. You have to have a �sticky� website, one that has lots of information that people find useful, one that they come back to for reference and a website that develops a relationship with the visitor.

MISCONCEPTION #2: If I put my website on the Internet, people will automatically find me.

They old saying, �build it and they will come,� couldn�t be further from the truth. Just because you have a site on the web, doesn�t mean people can find it.

Today, SEOs (search engine optimizers) are getting big money (two to five thousand a month) to get websites listed in the top of the search engines.

Once you have a website, you have to have a systematic way to drive traffic to your site. There are many ways to drive traffic, but just putting the site up is the first step in having a website.

MISCONCEPTION #3: If I put my website on the Internet, people will automatically hire me.

Usually not. Most law firm websites are nothing more than a few �fluffy� paragraphs about the law firm. If your website says:

�At Smith Law Office, we believe putting the needs of the client comes first. With the use of technology and competent legal research, our attorneys are able to advise our clients, giving the client an advantage in each matter.�

Or something similar, no doubt your message is ignored by the visitor.

The fact is, consumers are smart today, than ever before. With the amount of information available to people and those lawyers willing to give it out in mass quantities, people expect more than lop service. They want solid information in a format that�s easily accessible.

The visitor has to be compelled to contact the firm, or they won�t turn into a client.

MISCONCEPTION #4: Law firm websites don�t make real money.

This is actually true of nearly all law firm sites. However, it doesn�t have to be that way.

The fact is, there are solutions available to lawyers today, that can replace part or all of a marketing program. In fact, several of my lawyers have massively reduced the amount of yellow pages advertising due to the results and income they get from their website.

Since websites are cheaper than yellow page ads, it makes sense to work to get clients from a lower cost solution.

MISCONCEPTION #5: Putting up my areas of practice, contact information and mission statement is a good website.

Not true. Often times, a lawyer�s website is so poorly done, that it actually causes people to look for another attorney.

And, those attorneys who pay big bucks for snazzy flash presentations, and lots of bells and whistles end up looking too polished. People want a lawyer that�s a person, not a lawyer that hides behind his law firm name.

A site with all sorts of clever plugins is usually a waste of money. It makes the lawyer feel good about his or her website, but it doesn�t actually make money.

Should an attorney spend five or six thousand dollars on a website that looks great but doesn�t make money? That�s not an asset. It�s a waste.

MISCONCEPTION #6: Websites created by web designers are usually �good� websites.

Just because someone knows how to code a website, doesn�t mean they know what will make a person pick up the phone and call you.

Look at it like this: A paralegal can draft a demur, but what kind of success would they have going into court to argue that demur?

MISCONCEPTION #7: Buying a website from I lawyer directory is a safe and easy way to get my firm a website.

Not true. A website that has lawdomain.com/SmithLaw is a website that will rarely be looked at. Sure, there are some big companies around selling these sites to lawyers who know they have to have a website to look �official� yet, all the sites are bases off of a brochure type idea.

Again, putting up your �mission statement,� a few areas of practice and your bio doesn�t mean you have a website that will make you money.

The most likely scenario is that very few people will actually find your site if it�s created by one of these companies.

About the author:
Matthew Samp is a law firm marketing consultant. Information about his turnkey websites can be found at or by calling 402-292-3400.

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

The Intricacies of Personal Injury Cases

Personal Injury Lawyers at your service

The Search for Personal Injury Lawyers

The Need for an Auto Accident Lawyer

The Importance of an Auto Accident Attorney

Asbestos Lawyers Can Help You

Wrongful Death Lawyers

Colorado Divorce Planning

How To Choose A Legal Structure For Your Business

Choosing a Boston Personal Injury Lawyer

Choosing an injury attorney

Hire Divorce Lawyer or Use Online Divorce Forms?

What to know about a Personal Injury Attorney

Mesothelioma Lawyer � Upholding the Rights of P...

Slip and Fall Injury Buzz

The Proof of Small Claim Services

What Should I Do If I Am Arrested?

Wanted: Perfect Lawyers

Getting a Car Accident Lawyer

Getting a Social Security Disability Lawyer

Been in an Accident? Need a Maryland Accident ...

The Role of Your Wrongful Death Lawyer

Finding a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Income Tax Returns Your Accountant Should Not File

In Focus: Construction Accident Lawyers

The Pros and Cons Of Hiring A Real Estate Lawyer

Is it necessary to go to court?

How to Choose a Lawyer: Referral Attorneys

Discover The Nine Vital Questions You Need To A...

California � What happens when you get a DUI?

More Article Pages 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Personal Injury Lawyer - Do We Need Them?
by: Mumtaz Shah

Following an accident you'll hear a person say that they don't need to see a personal injury lawyer, TOO expensive! In this article we will set out for you some reasons why NOT seeking, at minimum, a consultation with an accident lawyer could end up costing you a lot of money!

More often than not, regardless of whether you caused the accident or are its victim, if you do not seek a consultation with an accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident you may well end up regretting your decision. The overriding reasons for saying this are two-fold:

� the insurance company you will be making your claim against are trying to minimise their losses; and

� you most probably don't know what you're entitled to.

As A Victim Of An Accident

Let's assume you are the victim of an unfortunate accident. Let's further assume that your insurance company has come through and has agreed to pay all your medical bills. Now, you may well be feeling that your insurance company are the good guys and you don't need a lawyer's advice. Wrong!

What's happened is nothing less than what the insurance company is obligated to do under the terms and conditions of your accident policy. Moreover, the insurance company is hoping to play on the fact that you feel somewhat indebted to their generosity.

Profitability

That way, they hope, you'll not bring about a bigger claim for what you are rightly entitled to. In the long run that means that they don't have quiet as big an insurance claim loss and they can still make a profit from your policy.

In short, they are protecting their financial wellbeing at the cost of your entitlement rights. But, unless you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer you'll not know this and you'll feel that everything is fine.

So, the next time you are in an car accident or accident, ask yourself this question: 'Is my insurance company interested in protecting me and my rights, or are they more concerned with paying a dividend to their shareholders?'

Non-Profitability

On the other hand, a professional compensation lawyer is normally an ethical impartial third party who knows what your rights are. Aside from possibly being paid a fee, not from or by you, he's also likely to have another job to help a victim better than its' insurance company, (and, keep in mind, if any court proceedings occur, these fees are reclaimed from the opponent side).

So, why shouldn't they tell you the truth about what accident compensation you are entitled to? What's more, even if he does have a financial interest in your case, surely the better compensated you are, the better compensated he is?

As such, if anything, he has even more interest in making sure that you know exactly what your rights are and of making sure that you claim for those rights according to what you are entitled to.

Looked at it like this, it not too difficult to see who the interested party is and who the independent party is. Now ask yourself: 'Do you want to take advice from someone who is interested in minimising your claim, or someone who is interested in maximising it?'

Cause Of An Accident

Now let's look at it from the point of view of, you being the person at fault in the accident. You may well feel that you have nothing to fear, as your insurance company will pay for the damage done. You may even find that initially your insurance company agrees with this. But why...?

Unless you see an accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident you'll never know. Why? Are you 100% sure that it was your fault...?

Being Polite

The insurance company has to be polite, you're their customer! However, once the claim is over and you're thrilled with their service, you're definitely going to renew your policy. But the extra couple of hundred they ask for will justify the accident? 'Sir/ma'am, you had an accident and your premium has increased!'

Knowing exactly what your rights or obligations are after an accident can be extremely tricky. In most cases it will depend on what happened to cause the accident in the first place.

As such, seeking the advice of a compensation lawyer as soon as you can following an personal injury is the only independent way you can really determine and know exactly what you are entitled to or what you may be liable for arising from the accident.

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor