10 website design best practices for personal injury law firms
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your law firm’s website. In today’s digital age, potential clients will often form opinions about your business based on your online presence, technology your law firm use like legal calendaring software, personal injury case management software, etc..Research shows that 86 % of people seeking legal advice begin their search online, so if you think no one is going to search for you online, think again.
That’s why you need to know the best practices when it comes to website design for law firms. Knowing what should (or should not) be on your website can mean the difference between getting a new client or losing one to your competition.
We researched the top 50 ranking personal injury law firms across the United States and have put together this list of “10 Website Design Best Practices for Personal Injury Law Firms” you should know.
Below is a summary of the research analysis:
Include your firm’s logo
This may seem stupid simple, but your website’s header is one of the first things visitors will see when they land on your page. So, it’s essential to make a good impression by including your law firm’s logo in the header.
According to our research, 96% of law firms place their logo on the left-hand side of the header. Ensure the logo is prominently displayed and clickable (linked to your homepage). This way, visitors can easily navigate to your homepage if they get lost on your website.
Incorporate a live chat option
One way to make it easy for website visitors to get in touch with your law firm is to incorporate a live chat option on your website. You should be able to configure it to answer the most common questions that your potential clients will have and seamlessly capture that information into your client intake software.
However, you should remember that some clients prefer a chat feature that is more intimate and personal. So, your website can have a live chat service that connects website visitors with a customer service representative from your law firm, who can complete the intake over the phone and enter it into CloudLex Intake Manager.
Include the main navigation
in the header
Our research shows that 100% of law firm websites have the main navigation in the header. So, your website’s header should also house the main navigation for your website. Ensure that the navigation menu is easy to find and the links are easy to click.
Include the essential pages on your website in the main navigation menu, including your homepage, practice areas, attorneys, and contact page. And if you are like most personal injury law firm websites, you’ll use drop-down menus for subcategories within your website.
Have a clear value proposition
in the first fold
Your website’s value proposition is a statement that explains what your law firm does better than any other firm. It should be clear, concise, and displayed in the first fold.
Your proposition should target your ideal client. It should address the specific pain points your ideal clients are experiencing. For example, if you’re a personal injury law firm, your website’s value proposition could be, “We help accident victims get the compensation they deserve.”
Maintain a fast, mobile friendly website
In today’s world, mobile website design for law firms is one of the best ways of improving the user experience and helping your SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Our research shows the top PI law firm websites are mobile-friendly with high Google Core Web Vitals score. Core Web Vitals are website performance metrics that measure website speed and responsiveness. Aim for a score of 80 or close to 100 to ensure that your website ranks higher in search engines.
Have a clear call-to-action (CTA)
Website design for small law firms is incomplete without a clear call-to-action (CTA). A CTA is a website element that encourages website visitors to take a specific action. The CTA could be something like, “Schedule a Free Consultation,” “Get a Free Case Evaluation,” or “Contact Us.”
Make sure that your CTA is prominently displayed on your website. A good practice is to have two CTA buttons on your website, one in the center and one on the top right. The CTA button should stand out from the rest of the website by having a distinct color so website visitors can’t miss it.
Use video on your website
Videos are a great way to engage website visitors and convey your message. You can embed a video on your website that introduces website visitors to your law firm and attorneys. The video should be high quality and well-produced with clear audio.
You can also use videos to show website visitors how your law firm can help them with their legal issues. For example, you could have a video that shows website visitors what the process of their case might entail and what will be needed.
Have your website in
multiple languages
If your law firm serves clients who speak different languages, having a website in multiple languages is a no-brainer. This way, website visitors can easily understand your website’s content (and spend more time on your website, which is good).
Keep your website neat
and organized
A cluttered website can be off-putting to website visitors. A good practice is to keep your website neat and organized. This means having a website that is easy to read and navigate.
Keeping the website neat includes choosing the right colors for your website. The colors you choose should be easy on the eyes and not overwhelm website visitors. Also, ensure the colors align with your brand.
Incorporate social proof
Social proof shows website visitors that other people have used and recommend your law firm’s services. You can include social proof on your website in the form of testimonials, reviews, or press mentions. You can also include case results from your personal injury cases to show website visitors the types of settlements you’ve been able to achieve for your clients.
Embrace the Best Practices in Website Design for Law Firms
Law firm website design is essential if you want to attract website visitors and convert them into leads. These are just a few tips to help you maintain a high-performing website, manage your practice and grow your business. If you need help with your personal injury law firm website, request a demo of CloudLex, and we can help you navigate the PI website waters.
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