|
June 2019
|
|
How to Choose a Website Developer
|
Ten Key Questions to Ask
If
your firm needs to update your website, it can be a daunting task
sorting through the numerous website development vendors. How do you
know which to choose? Here are 10 key questions to ask:
- What is their
experience level? There are many newcomer wanna-be website
developers. Don't become their experiment. A qualified website
developer should have many years of experience and at least 100
websites developed. This experience helps the developer in myriad
ways to avoid problems and quickly resolve issues, instead of
learning on your dime.
- Do they have extensive
experience working with lawyers? Once you've narrowed
down the list based on minimal experience requirements, the major
hurdle is finding a developer that actually understands law firms.
This is the biggest complaint law firms have about website
developers - most don't understand the practice of law, so they
require hand-holding and daily management to make sure they get
the website done right. Isn't that their job? These developers are
no more than order-takers
who must be told exactly what to do at every step. If
you've been through this drama, you know how much time you've
wasted and you'll never want to do it again.
- Do they have internal
staff that can write the content? We've found that 90%
of our clients don't like writing about themselves (individually),
and most prefer to have help in writing the firm's marketing
content. Very few website developers have this in-house expertise;
most source it to a freelance writer, which can cause delays,
miscommunication and often result in an end-product that doesn't
represent your firm.
- Do they offer branding
expertise? Will the website look similar to your other
marketing materials? Or will it look very different and contrast
your branding? Does it incorporate other key elements of your
firm's brand (i.e., branding is the combination of name, words,
symbols or design that identifies your company and it's
products/services and differentiates it from the competition)?
- Do they know how to
position your firm in the market? Marketing
professionals know how to identify what your target market wants
and how to best position your firm. This is done in combination
with your branding campaign and involves sophisticated strategic
marketing expertise.
- Are their designs
modern and attractive to your target market? Of course, you'll want
a design that is mobile-friendly (i.e., "mobile
responsive"), looks contemporary and offers up-to-date
technology. Another key factor is that the design is right for
your market; not too surprisingly, many website developers try to
convince you to use a website template that they designed for
other industries (e.g., retail, construction, manufacturing, etc.)
- which are entirely inappropriate for law firms.
- Can they customize the
design to meet your needs? Or do they offer a small number of templates,
so that your website looks like many others using the same design?
Instead of a hugely expensive fully-custom programmed website, do
they offer alternatives to tailor the website design to your
firm's specific requirements?
- Who will supervise your
project?
It can be very frustrating working with someone who isn't involved
hands-on with programming your website. Or they are
sub-contracting to another firm several time zones away. Or you
communicate your desires clearly but the draft isn't anything like
what you requested. Instead, work with a website development firm
that has a local team, speaks your language, and can quickly
respond to your requests.
- What is their
turnaround time? Did you know that many website developers
require over 6 months to build and launch your website? Choose a
developer that can complete your project within 60-90 days (of
course, as long as you are available to quickly respond to any
questions).
- Is the work done
domestically or overseas? If you don't ask this question, you may find
out the hard way (after you've hired the firm) that the underlying
reason with the problems in developing your website the way want
it are that it is being programmed through sub-contractor vendors
on the other side of the world. This can result in slow
turnaround, poor communication, and overall frustration with the
project. Instead, work with a website development firm that does
all programming domestically, preferably on the West Coast (being
in the same time zone helps in minimizing delays).
Using
this list, you should be able to identify a website developer that
meets your firm's needs. At the same time, this can help you to avoid hiring a firm
that is costly, time-consuming and designs an inadequate website.
At
The Specialists in Law
Firm Marketing, we focus on developing websites that are
visually attractive, rich in useful and interesting content, designed
with logical navigation, and built around fundamental marketing
concepts. Our assistance includes site design, text writing, graphic
design, marketing strategy, and integration with other marketing
programs, such as social media. Contact
us to discuss building your firm's new website!
|
|
Business Development Training
|
Service Profile of the Month
Do
your attorneys, both partners and associates, need to improve their
skills in generating new business? If so, The Specialists in Law Firm Marketing's
"Business Development Training for Lawyers" may be the solution for your firm. This program is
designed specifically for lawyers and the business development
challenges they encounter.
Day-Long Training or Short Workshops
We
offer numerous course options, which can either be done as a
"One-Day Comprehensive Training Program" or a 2-3 hour
"Periodic Workshop" training session(s). You may select from
any of the topics below. For Periodic Workshops, we suggest monthly,
bi-monthly or quarterly training.
Format
All
training is lead by Kevin W. Brown, M.B.A. Each session is designed
around an extensive handout package that includes useful action steps,
checklists, forms and worksheets, helping your lawyers to learn and
apply key rainmaking and practice development concepts. Q&A is
encouraged and, depending on the topic, role-playing and discussion
groups are used. The presentation will be held at your offices. Time
length for the Periodic Workshops is designed to be 2-3 hours.
Training Topics
- Marketing for Lawyers
- Essential Rainmaker
Skills
- Personal Branding:
Raising Your Profile
- How to Optimize Your
Referral/Networking Relationships
- Maximizing Involvement
in Professional & Community Organizations
- Developing Your Own
Personal Marketing Plan
- Social Media and
Digital Marketing
- Professional Selling
Skills for Lawyers
- How to Use Business
Presentations to Gain Referrals and Clients
- Cross-Selling & How
to Obtain More Business from Your Clients
- Keys to Effective
Client Service
Contact
us with your questions and to book this dynamic series of
workshops.
|
|
Speaking Engagements
|
Does
your organization need a speaker for an event in 2019? If so, contact us for a "Speaker Package"
to see if Mr. Brown is available. Topics include:
- CLE Presentations on
Ethics
- Marketing Strategy
- Internet/Digital
Marketing
- Business Development
- Branding
- Advertising, Publicity
and Public Relations
|
|
|
|