Sunday, September 24, 2006

Consumers looking for legal info online

According to a recent Harris Poll sponsored by Lawyers.com,

"Other than family and friends (31%), the Internet is now the single
biggest source for legal information, outpacing books and
newspaper/magazine articles, which came in at just 12%. In fact, the
percentage of consumers who rely on the Internet for legal counsel has
nearly tripled in recent years (10% in 2000 vs. 27% in 2006), while the
percentage that rely on friends and family has declined by about a third
(49% in 2000 vs. 31% in 2006)."

The study also states that:
" Majority of U.S. Adults Using Lawyers; Top Reason is for Estate
Planning
Two out of three U.S. adults today have used a lawyer at least once in
their lives, about the same percent as in 2000 (65% in 2006 vs. 68% in
2000). As was the case six years ago, the single biggest reason lawyers are
hired today is to handle estate planning, like creating wills. Forty-six
percent of those U.S. adults who have hired a lawyer say that is what drove
them there, a similar percent as in 2000 (51%)."

You can see the press release at:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-06-2006/0004427441&EDATE=


So do you think you might need that legal website...See a good Genvea New York Estate Planning Website

Donald Imm
www.targetlaw.com

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Template or Custom website?

Law firm web sites fall into two categories:
1. Custom designed websites (where the design is from "scratch")
2. Templated design websites (pre-fabricated website)

Template websites can work if:
1. Your firm only needs a "brochure" style website. Name of firm, attorney names, phone number, practice areas etc. Attracting new business or competing for referred business is not that important to your firm.
2. Cost is a major issue. Custom designed lawyer web sites are generally 2-3 times more expensive than templated websites.
3. Time is a factor. Once the content for you site is completed, your web designer plugs the information into a preexisting template.

Your firm should consider a custom website if:
1. You are looking for new business and/or want to impress current clients with a great design.
2. Your firm has any type of preexisting branding (letterhead, newsletters, television ads). A custom designed website can bring those elements in.
3. You want the best looking website in your geographical area and practice area.
4. You like to be involved with design and or appearance.
5. You want to convey an important aspect or advantage of your firm.

You can check out a great example of a custom law firm website

Until next time,

Donald