In today’s digital age, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for any law firm. This is especially important if you have a new law firm or are looking to update your old website. While templated website builders may seem like cheaper options, the reality is that they come with more cons than pros. In this article, we explore the nuances of these platforms and reasons why lawyers should steer clear of templated website builders.
Easy to Use, but Hard to Get Results
Law firm website templates often boast user-friendly features like drag-and-drop functionalities. However, this ease of use comes with a host of drawbacks that can hinder a law firm’s online success. Here’s why:
Uniformity Issues:
- Because website builders are pre-made, you may discover other law firms using the same template. In reality, you want an original, custom designed website that reflects your personal style and communicates your services clearly to your clients.
- Furthermore, a templated website can dilute your brand identity and fail to stand out in a competitive legal landscape.
Bad Coding and Site Structure:
- Templated websites may have underlying coding issues that affect performance, particularly with HTML5 templates and animation.
- The structure of a template may not align with the specific needs of a law firm, leading to functionality problems.
- You may need to use additional plugins, like WordPress Multilingual Plugin (WPML) for bilingual clients, which can be challenging for those without design or coding experience.
Limited Customization:
- While templates offer some customization, they can’t match the level of control a custom website provides.
- Law firms may find themselves constrained by the template’s limitations, hindering their ability to create a truly tailored online presence.
Be Original
For lawyers looking to optimize their online presence, custom websites for law firms is the key to growing your law firm. For starters, custom websites are better for SEO and PPC. They offer the flexibility needed for effective search engine optimization strategies, enhancing your site’s visibility and ranking. Plus, pay-per-click campaigns are more successful when landing pages are specifically designed to convert leads.
Beyond just SEO and PPC benefits, there’s another significant advantage to custom websites: personalization. A custom website also allows you to tailor the design and content to the unique strengths and services of your law firm. This enhances user experience, increasing the likelihood of client conversion.
Lastly, beware of templated websites for lawyers, like FindLaw, which may seem like a great deal at first. Is FindLaw worth it? The short answer is no. Many of their designs have flaws and integration issues, and their platform continues to be outdated and slow, which costs users more to make changes to their website.
