At a minimum, you need a website so that potential clients can learn about you, get in touch with you, and find you. When I write find you, by the way, it means directions to your office, not necessarily search engines. That is because many, if not most, of the potential clients who might hire you are going to want to find out more about you before they contact you. And the way everyone finds out more about things is the Internet. Having a website is no guarantee of anything, but if you don’t have a decent one, people are probably going to contact the next lawyer on their list, instead of you. Your website is often the first service you provide to your potential clients. It gives them a preview of your personality, your attention to detail, and your ability to communicate. (Which may be completely inaccurate, of course, which is why it is important to make sure you can deliver on the promises your website makes.) So this article is not a marketing manifesto. It is about making sure your website satisfies the basic reasons for its existence — the reasons potential clients want it to exist: * Your contact information * A front page that helps visitors figure out whether they are in the right place * Your picture and bio Surprising? Yes and no. Law has always been a referral-driven field, and that 40 percent must be doing something right — they are in business, after all. Still, it does seem archaic, and it does make you ask: How much more successful would those firms be if they had websites? With that in mind, here are four reasons why even the smallest firms need a Web presence. With that in mind, here are four reasons why even the smallest firms need a Web presence. Reason #1: It’s how people find information these days * 40 percent of online adults now use search engines to find information on the Web * Nearly 60 percent of young people use the Web to find information on local businesses Reason #2: First impressions matter A Web presence also allows your firm to make a first impression on that 60 percent of people who use the Web for local searches — and on the people who get referred to you. Even the most basic website — one with details on your practice area(s), attorney bios and contact information — can quickly make a case for your firm. Augment it with, say, a blog, articles and other types of resources, and you’ll reinforce that first impression. Reason #3: It will serve as the foundation for your marketing efforts While referrals will continue to be valuable, law firms need to market themselves in today’s business environment. A website can’t and shouldn’t be your only marketing tool. But given the digital-focused nature of modern-day consumers, it can serve as a key building block for your overall marketing strategy. Reason #4: Your competitors are probably online If so, they’re visible to potential clients 24/7/365 They’ve added a relatively inexpensive marketing tool to their arsenal. And, if their sites are well designed and user friendly, they’ve established credibility by offering what is a must-have for most of today’s consumers. These four points are only the start, and you could easily add a dozen more to the list. In fact, it’s hard to think of good reasons why a law firm shouldn’t have a website in today’s economy. ]]>