Integration is the Key

One of the things I sorely regret about my firm's website and blog is that they're not integrated too well. Sure, I think they're each marvelous in their own right, but I wish when I started the firm site and blog that the Headway theme was available when I created mine.

The thing I see, especially with a lot of "home made" blogs/websites, is that someone pays to have their site designed, and starts a blog using Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, or some other free host. This breaks continuity between the image you're trying to portray on your firm site, and creates a disconnect between the two sites. How is someone supposed to find your information when they're visiting your professional site at joelawyer.com, but have to acquire your updated content at myjoelawyerincity.free.freehosted.blog.com? It just doesn't work.

You'll notice that my blog and site create the disconnect I'm talking about. Don't agree? Check out the color schemes, fonts, permalink style on each. They're both different. You want cohesion, you have to create it.

This should all be a segment of your marketing plan. You need to package it all together and ensure that you're synced in every aspect.

The great thing I found with the Headway blog theme is how easy you can integrate each element. It's quick and easy, making the integrated changes that are necessary.

If you're just starting out, make sure you integrate well.

Note: I get a "kickback" from the makers of Headway if you purchase using the link, but regardless, it's not about the money, it's about helping you get your firm going.

Simplify Your Site

Want to make your website more manageable, and improve your SEO and Google ranking? You have to try the Headway Theme for Wordpress (full disclosure: I make a little money if you'll click the link). I'm sure there are other themes out there that do the trick, but I've found this works just as well, and costs less money.

Truthfully, the Headway Theme is the best tool for developing and maintaining a website. It's easy to set up, easy to maintain, and more importantly, the theme generates results.

I started my firm's website by coding HTML and spending hours trying to make it look right. In the end, I can't attribute any prospective clients to my hours of work. Frustrated that I had a non-operable, and basically worthless site, I switched to Headway in August 2009. I used the theme on both my firm's site, and my firm's blog.

Literally, in about 1 hour, I restored the site, and was changing/adding content without a complex database or coding. In about 1 week after that, my site and blog started receiving credible incoming links and prospective clients.

I could drone about the wonderful features of Headway, but you need to experience it yourself. Heck, it's only $87.00 (for the "newbie" version), and if you don't like it, move on to something "better." Just because it's such a great value & tool, I guarantee that if you purchase the theme from my link, and you're not satisfied with it, send me an email explaining why you don't love it & why it's not working, and I'll refund your purchase price. I'm not an employee of the company, it's just that good. You won't turn back. The Theme is simple to use, and the support is top-notch.

If you're looking for a tool to improve your marketing and Google ranking, Headway is that tool. What's more, Headway's support is wonderful, and Clay Griffiths is fantastic about answering questions (even the dumb ones) and providing the tools to help you succeed.

The forum on the Headway members' site provides excellent examples of some great law firms using the theme. Here are some of my favorites: Linarducci & Butler, P.A., Law Office of Lawrence Ballew, and Sarah White. I'm sure there are a number of other attorneys using the theme, they're just not listed.

End note: if you're looking for a great web hosting service, check out my provider, ipower(dot)com (disclosure note: I get a little kickback if you purchase). It's reliable, easy to use, has great web support, and a great bang-for-buck bargain (can't beat their current offer - unlimited space, 2,500 emails for $5.95/month).


Edit & Update (11/9/09): Check out this blogpost giving some additional reasons to utilize the Headway Theme.

Get up and running quickly

How long does it take to get yourself an online presence? 1 week. I know, because I did it.
How much did it cost me? About $250. How, you ask? Because I found innovative ways to manipulate the system, while saving some costs. Here's the secrets:

1. Find a cheap hosting service, and pay for the long-haul. I recommend this site for "heavy hitters," and those people seeking full-service web hosting. DISCLAIMER: I'll get a "kick-back" from them, if you tell the site you're referred by me (jbtokc). I'd still recommend their services if you decide not to line my pockets. I also recommend this site for the "faint of heart." Either site does the trick, and provides a method for developing your own content/style sheets. Note: I reviewed MS Office Live here.
   
2. Minimize your initial web-design costs by using web templates, or pre-fab sites. You can use sites like this one to get an idea or design. Note: you will probably need to know some HTML coding (I do) to make these work for you. However, you can still make it work by taking the site to your designer and asking him/her to make your changes. Save even more by writing your website copy, and sending it to your designer to cut-and-paste. Part of the cost of web-design is having to develop the code, and write the content. You've done both, and saved the developer some time. If you need a developer, I'll recommend a guy if you'll email.
   

You're done. I added some features, like SSL encryption, that will serve some of my specific purposes.

Now, there will be naysayers who will critique my method, especially using templates. I can see the headline/post now, "I would not recommend using someone else's content. Find your own style and spend the money to develop it." Well, sometimes you're stuck with what you've got. I have a web/design budget of $350. When that's gone, it's gone. If I'm seeking the services of someone else, it's going to cost me at least $2000. Budget BLOWN!

With my work-around, I'm within budget (I spent $400 with the SSL upgrade), and I have a web-presence I can be proud of. What's more, I'm online in 1 week, as compared to a colleague who has been paying for his site designing for 3 months, and still isn't online. I'd hate to pay his design bill.

Finally, my method allows for expansion. I can save money now for a future rebuild, or I can pay my web-guy to design a site on my monthly budget, and have the rebuild ready in a year or so.

Side notes:
I agree with Susan Cartier-Liebel in her constant (see here and here) admonition to buy your domain names. It's important for your firm and practice, if you're going to develop the right brand. Remember, despite your aversion to the process, you're just like every two-bit car salesman, auto repair shop, and pizza joint. You need people to remember you, and want to use your services. Build your brand now, and use it effectively in the future. You're small, but you've got the tools to be big.

Second, do not spend time learning HTML in order to "save money" in your web-design. Also, never learn to use advanced coding programs like Dreamweaver or Adobe GoLive. TOO LATE. If you wanted to be a web-designer you should have changed career paths long ago. Cut your losses, and pay someone. Just increase your design budget and move on. These programs have enormous learning curves, and often their "easy" method isn't so easy. I spent 3 hours on one page, fixing code because the drag-and-drop feature didn't place it right.

Office Live

When I should be preparing for finals, I've been doing some playing with my Office Live site.

I want to emphasize what a value this is! I talked with an attorney at the office who said he's considering paying $2,000 for a website. I don't think that any attorney needs to pay that much for web content. You should impress your clients with your abilities, NOT your Flash.

Take a minute to reflect on what sets your business model apart from the others. Then, design some content that instills confidence in all those prospective clients.

What should you have? Here's a few suggestions on the pages:

Describe your services;
Describe yourself - make people want to associate/personalize with you;
Provide contact information;
Blog;
Legal help list;
Pictures

I'm not a big fan of "About Us" pages that tout the attorney's "achievements." For the most part, these are law/law school related, and very few clients will care about your law review article or undergraduate research paper titled, "Communicative interaction in an interdisciplinary research team," or something similarly vague.

Your clients want to know that you're going to relate with them, and can personalize your services to their situation. Save the other academic hoopla for the Jones Day interview.

Microsoft Office Live - the pros & cons

After writing this rather lengthy discourse regarding Microsoft's latest venture into total world domination, I began playing around with my prospective site. Here's my list of the benefits and potentital downsides of using this application:

The Pros

1. Easy to use web designer - create professional looking webpages quickly with the point, click, and type module.
2. 500 MB of storage space - use photos, videos, etc., you'll be hard-pressed to fill up this much space (if you do, you should be doing more lawyering, and less web designing - which one did you go to school for again?)
3. Marketing applications - easily promote your business with "adManager" and Email Marketing
4. Email - download all of your email to MS Office Outlook 2007 (of course) with the Outlook Connector, store up to 5 GB of messages, and create 25 separate "branded" email accounts
5. Price - the service is free for the 1st year, then $14.95 each year after, what's better than that? I paid $200 for 2 years, for my personal family website, and I still had to learn HTML

The Cons

1. No calendar synchronization - without paying more, it's impossible to synchronize your online and offline calendars. For anyone in a larger firm who depends on other attorneys, you should check out alternatives like ShareO. See my analysis here.
2. You're tied to that evil empire
3. Limited web design tools - despite the many design features, there is a limited number of templates, which may look "cheesy."

Certainly, every small firm or solo practitioner will benefit by using the MS Office Live service. This gives you a quick opportunity to establish a web presence and "validate" your law practice.