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When it comes to legal
websites, there is no shortage of advice on what absolutely
should be on these sites. However, little is mentioned about those elements
that should never see the light of day. As a result, poorly planned legal
websites with irrelevant content might remain uncertified and this could
lead to lost business, security concerns, slow traffic and other problems.
Fortunately, missteps on designing legal websites are preventable. Here are
seven items to avoid
Photo on the Home Page
Many web experts say although your picture may welcome the visitors,
it can detract from why they should be there in the first place.
Instead, try placing your picture on a different page within the site,
such as an ‘About Us' link or something similar. Remember that legal
websites should be about law firms and their services, not about the
partners' perfect bone structure.
Visual and Audio Overkill
Multimedia overload on legal
websites can take any number of forms. It
can show up as dizziness–inducing Flash home page on the one hand or
as a self-indulgent photographic display of everything from clients to
your pet dog on the other. The former often comes off as little more
than a pointless exercise in exercising technical muscle, the latter a confusing – and
potentially unprofessional – distraction from the business at hand. Beyond
that, overly flashy intros with loud, pulsating music on legal
websites can take forever
to load and cause users to flee.
Too Many Confusing Menu Options
Granted, law firms want to offer a variety of pages
and features for their legal websites,
but the site structure should be kept simple so that users are not bewildered
by too many possibilities. Keep legal
websites easy to navigate.
Information that Could Lead to Privacy
or Security Breaches
This depends, to some degree, on the nature of the legal
websites, and
perhaps also on your personal comfort level. However, it is imperative
that you review your web site content for any material that may lead
to security or privacy snafus, as hackers and spammers are constantly scanning
for web sites that reveal personal information and the underlying technologies
used on a site. Legal
websites must exhaust all means necessary to protect
information that may compromise confidentiality or security.
Undue Jargon and Techno-Speak
The purpose of most legal websites is to inform potential clients about
what you do and, hopefully, have them grasp why they need to avail themselves
of your services. Conveying that message is tough when much of the language
on your web site is overly technical or loaded down with industry jargon
that laypeople cannot come close to deciphering. When it comes to legal
websites, straight talk, more than legal mumbo jumbo, gets the message
across.
Content that Makes Your Law
Practice Sound too Good to be True
You are trying to sell something via your web
site, but marketing content – including client testimonials – that boasts
and brags more than it informs and interests people is certain to turn
many visitors of legal
websites.
Bad links and Outdated Material
Nothing can mislead or alienate visitors of legal
websites more than basic
business information and other content that is obviously outdated or
long since irrelevant. Review your web site regularly for content and links
that have changed or are no longer relevant.
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