Critiquing a Small Law Firm's Website: What Not to Do
The website of solo practitioner Giovanni Rosania recently came to the attention of the blogosphere--and with much derision.
While it certainly is something to poke fun at, the website is actually a great learning tool. It's the perfect example of what not to do.
Don't have background music.
A website should never greet potential clients with music. Even more so, they should never be greeted with music that belongs in the end credits of a video game.
Besides being slightly tacky, you never know when or where a person is looking at your website, and music could cause them to leave immediately and never come back.
Don't get too personal.
It's important to connect with potential clients and let them know a little bit about you, but there's a fine line that is easy to cross. Rosania does this by mentioning his high school and inconsequential information about how he found his "true calling."
No mottos or slogans.
If you absolutely must have a firm catchphrase, it should be as far away from "All Crime, All the Time!!!" as possible. Your motto should be professional and paint a positive picture of who you are as an attorney. Think about your skills and your dedication to client care.
It's too complicated.
You can have a well-appointed site without the stock photos and animation--the latter of which has been known to annoy a person or two.
Instead, think about designing a site that is sleek, will load regardless of internet connection or computer, and that is easy to navigate.
Remember, you want your website to encourage people to contact you, not surf over to another site.
Related Resources:
- Starting a Solo Practice: Top 3 Initial Marketing Moves (FindLaw's Strategist)
- ABA Releases 'How-To' on Virtual Law Offices (FindLaw's Strategist)