General Web Design Tips

Have One

The importance of having a web site cannot be stressed enough. A good web site is like a 24-hour per day law office available to your potential clients.

Remember that attorney web sites fall under the jurisdiction of your State Bar rules relating to advertising. Just as you would with any brochure or print advertising, be certain to review your respective state's rules regarding lawyer web sites and be sure that your own web site is in compliance before posting it on the Internet.

Background

Using a light (preferably white) background and dark text makes a site easier to read. This also makes it more convenient for potential clients to print out portions of your website for reference.

Content

People searching the Internet with terms like "attorney" or "lawsuit" are looking for one thing and one thing only - INFORMATION! To keep these people at your site, you'd better have some useful information. Examples of information that keeps web site visitors' interest:

• news or current awareness material in your practice area
• background information on your area of law
• answers to Frequently Asked Questions about your specialty
• links to other sites of interest
• articles you've written
• your biography
• major cases you've handled or awards you've won
• an easy way for visitors to contact you

Navigation

The best written content on the planet won't do you a bit of good if visitors can't find it once they get to your site.

Clearly labelled, descriptive navigation buttons make it easy for visitors to find the information on your site that most interests them. (see below)

Next Month: How to make sure people find your web site once it's on the Internet.

Every month the Internet For Lawyers' free Internet legal research newsletter delivers this kind of useful information to your e-mail inbox.

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