Larry Bodine Law Marketing Blog

I was addressing the partnership of a professional firm and emphasized that a bad Web site will disqualify the firm from getting new business. We were discussing the strategic marketing plan I had written for them.

One skeptical partner spoke up to ask, "Oh come on. Will a company really decide whether or not to retain the firm based on our Web site?"

Yes. Absolutely. Definitely.

Don't just take it from me. I've heard in-house corporate counsel say that when they are searching for a new law firm, they first peruse the Web sites of law firms on their short list. A mediocre Web site conveys that the will also give them mediocre work product. In-house counsel have told me that a bad Web site will disquality a firm from further consideration.

The new issue of Law Office Computing states: "Firm Web sites also have become the first point of contact for both clients and...recruits. 'To have a truly useful and informative site, you need to have more than just an online brochure,'" said John J. Buchanan, Heller Ehrman's acting chief marketing officer. This is on page 65 of the October/November 2004 issue of the magazine.

A professional firm's Web site is its public face to the world. The Web site is speaking volumes about the firm while the professionals are at work, on the phone, at home, on the road, on vacation and fast asleep. It's marketing the firm 24 by 7 by 365. Or else it's saying terrible things about the firm and turning away business.