2018 Web Trends for Attorneys

Web trends are constantly changing. It can be difficult to keep up with them, especially when you don’t know what’s worth investing in. We’re here to help. With 2018 in full swing, we recommend keeping the following web trends in mind.

Mobile-Optimized Web Design

It’s not just retailers and digital marketing agencies that need mobile-optimized web designs. Business lawyers do, too. More and more people are using their phones to access the internet, whether they’re looking for a place to eat dinner or a reputable lawyer to serve their estate case. Google gives preference to websites that are mobile friendly, so if you want to see your site at the top of the search listings, mobile is a must.

Even if a potential client was to stumble upon your website on their own, you could easily lose them if your site isn’t optimized. The first impression of your law firm is your website, so delivering a poor experience will usually send the person elsewhere. On the flip side, providing your visitor with a good user experience and relevant information makes them more likely to pick up the phone and schedule a consultation.

Productive Websites

One of the convenient aspects of having a website is that you can manage your clients’ needs on a single platform. Not only does your website offer valuable information but also the ability to:

• Schedule appointments
• Send and receive messages
• Send invoices
• Accept client payments
• Link to client portals
• Host intake forms

As you grow your practice, having a productive website will allow you to provide the best service to your clients while keeping things organized on your end. Now is a great time to consider some of the ways that your website can work in your favor, as a digital web agency can get your site up to speed. 2018 may also be the year that you move client information and legal documents to the cloud.

Web Animations

Even though many of the issues you deal with require the utmost professionalism, you are still working with people and for people. That’s why it’s important to show the human side of your law firm. This can go a long way in building stronger relationships and generating new business. One of the ways to break the ice is with animations.

Animations include GIFs, memes and short videos. They can be obvious or subtle. With many people enjoying high-speed internet connections, it’s easy to create websites that include simple animations to improve the user experience. You can use animations anywhere they make sense, such as newsletters, blog posts, online advertisements, logos and more. If you’re having your site redesigned, ask your web developer about adding these simple yet effective animations to your materials.

Increased Web Security

As an attorney, your office is responsible for protecting client information. Unfortunately, the threat of hackers, cyber criminals, economic spies and even dishonest staff is always looming. To ensure that the ethical and legal standards for keeping client information confidential are being followed, more attorneys are improving their security measures. Encryption is becoming the norm, so even this won’t be enough in the years to come.

Here are some things to know about web security and the obligations to your clients.

• Most states require “reasonable security measures”, including encryption

• Additional security measures include secure user authentication, secure access control, monitoring to detect unauthorized access, up-to-date firewall protection, up-to-date software and training for employees

• Most states have laws that require notification of data breaches

• Many states require the proper disposal of paper and electronic records that contain sensitive information

• Identifiable health information falls under the HIPAA and must be in compliance

Pay Per Click

One last web trend for this field is pay per click. Google is trying to improve their own click through rates of ads with more callouts, new keyword styles, shared budgets between campaigns, call tracking and more. This is all great news, as it means more ways to reach a highly targeted audience and get them to complete your desired action.

For the best results, be sure that you are always testing, measuring and improving your ads. You will find that some extensions work well for your practice (call extensions) while others may not. And, don’t forget to keep voice search in mind. As more people use their voice to search for services on their mobile devices, it will change the search results that are delivered.

Conclusion

Your website is your storefront. As people look to resolve legal issues and disputes, they want someone they can trust. Having a clean, well-designed website with simple navigation, compelling content and trust signals is a great start. Be sure that your site is responsive on mobile devices, and consider adding a client portal that offers a more personalized experience for clients. They will appreciate the customized approach and excellent communication on your end.

WSI Net Advantage works with lawyers, and we’re happy to get your website up to speed with the latest trends for 2018. Our team can assist with mobile responsiveness, PPC and so much more. Call us today at 510-687-9737 or fill out our contact form here. We’ll get back to you right away!