How Often Should a Law Firm Update Its Website?

     Your website is a valuable tool for establishing credibility, demonstrating expertise, and attracting clients. Whether someone goes to your site because of an online search or because they met you or were referred to you, your website should present your firm in the best light possible. That means not only investing in a good site to begin with, but also continually updating it. How often and when should you update your site? Here are some guidelines:

Content Updates: 

Your content is key to shaping visitors’ perceptions of your experience, approach, and trustworthiness. How often you update information on the site depends on the nature of your practice and the image you want to project. Consider updates including:
1.    Thought Leadership: If you want to position yourself as an authority in your field, you should regularly share insights on new developments and trends.
2.    Blogging: Consistently sharing relevant information through blog posts not only enhances credibility but also improves search engine rankings and keeps you top of mind with contacts.
3.    Service Offerings: Any changes to the types of work you do or clients or industries served should be reflected on all relevant pages of your site (Home/About/Practice Area Pages). Cross-link related pages to encourage visitors to stay on the site and learn more about you.
4.    Bios: Bio pages are among the most visited pages on any website and should be kept up to date to highlight your current experience and activities. New headshots should be taken every few years.
5.    Client Success Stories: Regular updates to success stories and client testimonials reflect the firm’s latest achievements and feedback.

Design Updates: 

An outdated website design can undermine your image as a successful professional. You want to project a fresh contemporary image. Updates can include:
1.    Strategic Redesigns: Major design overhauls should be considered every few years or during significant branding changes (ex., name change, etc.).
2.    Subtle Enhancements: Minor adjustments like a new color scheme or image updates can be made more frequently to freshen the site’s look.

Functionality Updates:  

Your website should function smoothly and securely to ensure a good user experience. This means hiring a professional to handle:
1.    Regular Maintenance: Monthly or quarterly updates to the website’s core engine, theme, and plugins are necessary to improve functionality, address bugs, and patch security vulnerabilities.
2.    Mobile Optimization: Your website must be responsive (i.e., look good on all desktops, laptops, tablets, and cellphones regardless of browser) and load pages quickly.
3.    Enhanced Features: Any new tools or features must be integrated within the existing framework, with thorough testing conducted to identify and address any issues.

Conclusion: 

Keeping your website up to date demonstrates a commitment to staying current and providing visitors with a positive experience. It also helps improve search engine visibility. Most importantly, you’ll stand out from your competitors.

By Edie Reinhardt, Esq., RDT Content Marketing.

Edie is a former practicing attorney turned marketing consultant and writer. She specializes in helping attorneys showcase their expertise to attract more clients. 

Thanks to Linda McCormack, Pixellence for sharing her insights on website functionality.