Creating a Professional, SEO-Friendly WordPress Website for Attorneys: 10 Key Factors to Consider
If you're an attorney looking to create a professional, SEO-friendly WordPress website, there are several key factors to consider. By following best practices in website design and search engine optimization, you can create a website that not only looks great but also ranks well in search results and attracts potential clients.
We recommend bookmarking this page for easy reference as you work on building your website.
Here are 10 key factors to consider when building a WordPress website for attorneys:
Jump to Section
1. WordPress Themes
The theme of your website sets the tone and style of your site, so it's important to choose one that is professional and fits your brand. Look for themes that are clean and easy to navigate, and consider purchasing a premium theme that includes additional features and support."
Choosing a theme
When building a WordPress website, one of the first things you'll need to do is choose a theme. The theme of your website sets the overall look and feel of your site, and it can have a big impact on how professional and credible your website appears to visitors.
Fitting your brand
It's important to choose a theme that is professional and fits your brand. Look for themes that are clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Avoid themes that are cluttered or overly complex, as they can be overwhelming for visitors and make it difficult for them to find the information they're looking for.
Finding a theme
Premium themes
Premium themes are paid themes that often come with additional features and support compared to free themes. There are several reasons why an attorney may want to consider purchasing a premium WordPress theme:
- Usually more professional and polished: Because premium themes are paid, they often have more attention to detail and are more professional and polished compared to free themes. This can be especially important for attorneys who are trying to establish their credibility and professionalism online.
- Often come with additional features: Premium themes often come with additional features and customization options that can be helpful for attorneys. For example, some premium themes may include built-in forms, appointment scheduling, and other features that can be useful for a legal website.
- Often come with support: When you purchase a premium theme, you typically get access to support from the theme developer. This can be helpful if you encounter any issues or have questions while setting up your website.
Overall, purchasing a premium WordPress theme can be a good investment for attorneys who want to create a professional and credible online presence.
Summary
Ultimately, the theme you choose will depend on your specific needs and goals for your website. Take the time to explore different options and choose a theme that best represents your brand and meets the needs of your website.
2. Optimize Your Pages and Posts for SEO
3. Use High-Quality, Professional Images
The images on your website should be high-quality and professional, as they help to convey your expertise and credibility. Make sure to use relevant images that accurately represent your practice, and consider hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality images of you and your team.
Convey your expertise and credibility to visitors
Using high-quality, professional images on your website is important for several reasons. First and foremost, they help to convey your expertise and credibility to visitors. Professional-looking images can make your website look more polished and trustworthy, which can be especially important for attorneys who are trying to establish their credibility in the legal industry.
Relevant images that accurately represent your practice
It's important to use relevant images that accurately represent your practice. Don't be tempted to use generic stock photos that don't have anything to do with your business - they can come across as inauthentic and could even be off-putting to some visitors. Instead, use images that accurately depict your business, your team, and your services.
Hire a professional photographer
If you don't have access to high-quality, professional images, consider hiring a professional photographer to take some for you. A professional photographer can help to capture the essence of your business and create images that accurately represent your brand.
By using high-quality, professional images on your website, you can help to convey your expertise and credibility to visitors and create a more professional and trustworthy online presence.
4. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
With more and more people accessing the internet from their smartphones, it's essential that your website is optimized for mobile devices. Google has stated that mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor, so if your website isn't mobile-friendly, it could be hurting your search engine ranking."
In today's digital age, it's essential that your website is mobile-friendly. More and more people are accessing the internet from their smartphones, and if your website isn't optimized for mobile devices, it could be hurting your search engine ranking and making it difficult for potential clients to find you online.
To make your website mobile-friendly, there are a few key things you can do:
Use responsive design
Responsive design is a website design approach that ensures that your website looks great and is easy to use on any device, regardless of screen size. By using responsive design, you can ensure that your website looks great on both desktop and mobile devices.
Loading speed
If your website takes a long time to load, visitors are more likely to bounce and go elsewhere. To improve your website's loading speed, consider optimizing your images and using a caching plugin.
Easy to navigate
Make sure your website is easy to navigate: On a small screen, it's important that your website is easy to navigate. Make sure that your menu is easy to use and that your content is organized in a clear and logical way.
Summary
By following these three tips, you can make sure that your website is mobile-friendly and provides a great user experience for visitors on all devices.
5. Add a Blog
A blog can be a great way to share updates, news, and insights with your audience and improve your search engine ranking. Consider adding a blog to your website and publishing regular, high-quality posts that are relevant to your practice."
Adding a blog to your website can be a great way to share updates, news, and insights with your audience and improve your search engine ranking. By publishing regular, high-quality posts that are relevant to your practice, you can demonstrate your expertise and engage with your audience on a regular basis.
There are several benefits to adding a blog to your website:
It can help to improve your search engine ranking
By publishing regular, high-quality content on your blog, you can help to improve your website's ranking in search results. Search engines like Google favor websites that regularly publish fresh, relevant content, so a blog can be a great way to boost your search engine ranking.
It can help to establish your credibility
By demonstrating your expertise through your blog posts, you can establish yourself as a credible source of information in your field. This can help to build trust with your audience and make it more likely that they will contact you for legal services.
It can help to engage with your audience
A blog is a great way to engage with your audience and build relationships with potential clients. By responding to comments and interacting with readers, you can create a community around your website and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Summary
By adding a blog to your website and publishing regular, high-quality posts, you can improve your search engine ranking, establish your credibility, and engage with your audience.
6. Include a Contact Form
Make it easy for potential clients to contact you by including a contact form on your website. Consider adding a "Contact Us" page with a form that visitors can fill out to send you a message."
Including a contact form on your website is a simple but effective way to make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you. By adding a "Contact Us" page with a form that visitors can fill out to send you a message, you can make it easy for people to contact you and inquire about your legal services.
There are several benefits to including a contact form on your website:
It makes it easy for potential clients to get in touch
By providing a simple form that visitors can fill out to send you a message, you can make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you. This can be especially helpful for people who prefer to communicate via email or those who may be hesitant to pick up the phone to call you.
It helps to streamline your communication
A contact form can help to streamline your communication with potential clients. By using a form, you can collect all of the relevant information in one place, making it easier for you to follow up and respond to inquiries.
It helps to protect your privacy
By using a contact form, you can protect your privacy by not publishing your email address or phone number on your website. This can help to reduce spam and unwanted contact from potential clients.
Summary
Including a contact form on your website is a simple but effective way to make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you and inquire about your legal services.
7. Make Your Contact Information Easily Accessible
Visitors to your website will likely want to know how to contact you, so make sure to include your contact information prominently on your website. Consider adding a "Contact Us" page with your phone number, email address, and physical location."
Making your contact information easily accessible on your website is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it makes it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you and inquire about your legal services. By including your phone number, email address, and physical location prominently on your website, you can make it easy for people to find the information they need to contact you.
There are several ways you can make your contact information easily accessible on your website:
Include it in the footer of your website
The footer of your website is the area that appears at the bottom of every page. By including your contact information in the footer, you can make it easy for visitors to find it no matter what page they are on.
Add a "Contact Us" page
Consider adding a dedicated "Contact Us" page to your website with your contact information and a contact form. This can be a helpful resource for visitors who want to get in touch with you and inquire about your services.
Include your contact information in the header of your website
The header of your website is the area that appears at the top of every page. By including your contact information in the header
8. Use Headings and Subheadings
9. Keep Your Content Up-to-Date
Outdated content can be a turn-off for visitors, so make sure to keep your website's content fresh and relevant. Consider regularly adding new blog posts or updates to your practice areas and services to show that you are actively engaged with your website."
Keeping your website's content up-to-date is important for several reasons. First and foremost, outdated content can be a turn-off for visitors. If someone lands on your website and sees that your content is outdated or no longer relevant, they may be less likely to trust your business or contact you for services.
Add new blog posts or updates to your practice areas and services
To keep your content up-to-date, consider regularly adding new blog posts or updates to your practice areas and services. This can help to show visitors that you are actively engaged with your website and that you are committed to providing the most accurate and relevant information possible.
There are several ways you can keep your content up-to-date:
Publish regular blog posts
If you have a blog on your website, consider publishing regular posts that are relevant to your practice and industry. This can help to keep your website fresh and engaging for visitors.
Update your practice areas and services
If you have pages on your website that describe your practice areas and services, make sure to keep these pages up-to-date. If you have added new practice areas or changed your services, be sure to update your website to reflect these changes.
Review your content regularly
Set aside time to review your website's content regularly to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. This can help to ensure that your website is providing the most relevant and accurate information to visitors.
Summary
By keeping your content up-to-date, you can help to establish your credibility and trust with visitors and make it more likely that they will contact you for legal services.
10. Legal Disclaimers
Depending on your practice area and location, you may need to include legal disclaimers on your website. Consult with an attorney or review your state's laws to determine what disclaimers, if any, you need to include on your website."
Depending on your practice area and location, you may need to include legal disclaimers on your website. Legal disclaimers are statements that inform visitors of the limitations of your legal services and protect you and your business from liability.
It's important to consult with an attorney or review your state's laws to determine what disclaimers, if any, you need to include on your website. Some common types of legal disclaimers that attorneys may need to include on their websites include:
Disclaimer of legal advice
If you are providing information on your website that could be considered legal advice, you may need to include a disclaimer that states that the information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
Disclaimer of attorney-client relationship
If you are providing information on your website that could be considered legal advice, you may need to include a disclaimer that states that the information provided does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Disclaimer of liability
If you are providing information on your website that could be considered legal advice, you may need to include a disclaimer that limits your liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided.
By including legal disclaimers on your website, you can protect yourself and your business from liability and ensure that you are in compliance with your state's laws.
Summary
Article Written By Chris Lancaster
Chris Lancaster is a seasoned digital marketing expert with a passion for helping law firms acquire and retain clients. He has been providing his expertise in this field since 2014, and he is committed to building long-term partnerships with the law firms he works with. In fact, he still works with his very first law firm client from 2014. On average, Chris has worked with law firms for an impressive 4.5 years. His portfolio of successful projects includes partnering with The Watt Law Firm, Rivera Law, LLC, Krupp Law Firm, and many others.