Capture and Qualify Leads
Many potential clients head to Google to search for information before they ever think about hiring a lawyer. Your website can provide these leads with information they need as they navigate their issues. Your website should deliver different information to potential clients based on where they are in the decision-making process.
We’ll cover this more in Chapter 5, but your website should have a way of turning the right visitors into clients.
Transact with Clients
Many firms are now using their websites as a place to connect with clients—beyond simply relaying generic information—and to conduct business. Your website could give clients access to a client portal where they can see their case’s status, review documents, and exchange notes and ideas with your team. Some firms are using their site to develop a client library of helpful resources. You can also have clients visit your website to review and pay invoices and schedule appointments.
If the examples above scare you, instead you could securely collect preliminary information from clients. For example, clients come to your site to complete questionnaires that populate your practice management software and potentially create an engagement letter. One firm developed a place on their website for clients to review and manage their commercial leases.
The possibilities are endless. The point, however, is that your website needs a purpose. For more on this, check out Episode #431 of our Podcast, What’s Your Website Goal?.