5 Common mistakes Law Firms make when designing their Web Site

January 2023

5 common mistakes Law Firms make when designing their Web Site and how to Fix it.

1. Poor Navigation - Confusing or cluttered navigation can make it difficult for visitors to find what they're looking for.

Site Navigation Tips - Keep it Simple

Use clear and concise labels that are easy to understand.
Avoid using too many categories or sub-categories that can make navigation confusing.
Make it Consistent - Use consistent navigation across all pages of the website. This helps visitors know where to find what they're looking for and improves the overall user experience.
Use Drop-Down Menus - Drop-down menus can help organize content into categories, making it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for.
Use Breadcrumbs - Breadcrumbs show visitors where they are in the site structure and make it easier for them to move back up the hierarchy.
Highlight the Active Page - Make it clear to visitors which page they're on by highlighting the active page in the navigation.
Keep the Navigation in a Common Location - Place the navigation in a consistent location on every page, such as at the top of the page or on the left side.
Use Search Function - Provide a search function that allows visitors to quickly find what they're looking for, even if they don't know where to find it in the navigation.
Test Navigation - Test the navigation with real users to see if it's easy to use and understand. Make changes based on user feedback.
Keep it Up-to-Date - Regularly review and update the navigation to ensure it remains relevant and effective over time.

2. Slow Loading Speed - Websites that take too long to load can cause visitors to leave and hurt search engine rankings.

Tips to fix Slow Loading Sites

Compress Images - Use tools to compress images so they take up less space and load faster. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) - A CDN stores copies of your website content on servers around the world, so visitors can access the content from the closest server.
Minimize HTTP Requests - Each time a page loads, it makes multiple HTTP requests for different elements. Minimize the number of requests by combining and minifying files, such as CSS and JavaScript.
Enable Browser Caching - Browser caching stores frequently used files on a user's device, reducing the number of files that need to be loaded with each page request.
Optimize Code - Clean up and optimize the code on your website, removing any unnecessary elements and ensuring it's well-structured.
Use a Fast Web Host - Choose a web host that provides fast and reliable hosting, with fast server response times.
Avoid Heavy Plugins - Limit the number of plugins you use on your website and avoid using heavy plugins that slow down the site.
Monitor Website Performance - Use tools to monitor your website performance and identify any areas that need improvement.
Poor Mobile Responsiveness - With a growing number of users accessing the web on mobile devices, it's important to design a website that works well on all screens.

3. Unappealing Design - A website with an unattractive or outdated design can turn off potential customers.

4. Non-Optimized Content - Content that's not optimized for search engines can hurt a website's visibility and ranking.

Tips to Optimize Content

Compress Images - Use tools to compress images so they take up less space and load faster.
Optimize Videos - Optimize video content for the web, such as reducing the file size and converting to a web-friendly format.
Clean and Optimize Code - Clean up and optimize the code on your website, removing any unnecessary elements and ensuring it's well-structured.
Minimize HTTP Requests - Each time a page loads, it makes multiple HTTP requests for different elements. Minimize the number of requests by combining and minifying files, such as CSS and JavaScript.

5. Not Regularly Updating Content - Websites that aren't regularly updated can become stale and outdated, hurting the brand and its image.

Tips for updating Content

Plan Content Updates - Plan ahead for what content you want to update and when, so you can stay organized and consistent.
Create a Content Calendar - Use a content calendar to track what content you've published and when, and to plan future updates.
Use Fresh and Relevant Content - Regularly update your website with fresh, relevant content to keep visitors engaged and coming back.
Keep the Site Current - Make sure all information on your website, such as your contact information, is up-to-date.
Monitor Website Analytics - Use website analytics to track how visitors are interacting with your content and make updates based on their behavior.
Engage with Your Audience - Engage with your audience through comments, social media, and other channels to keep them informed and involved.
Update for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Regularly update your website with keywords and content that help improve your search engine rankings.
Use a Content Management System (CMS) - Use a CMS to easily manage and update your website content, so you can focus on creating great content.