There is a difference between web design and web development. The design is the style, layout, graphics, and more. Development is when the design meets programming with content integration and page building. In this section, we will focus on the design.

A website is much like a work of art. It needs to say something to the visitor before they read it. Communication through design is why it is vital to have a professional website. Your website’s color schemes, graphics, imagery, and overall design need to psychologically communicate with your target clientele before they ever read one word of your content.

I have outlined a few areas of law and explained what their design needs to say in order to communicate with their target market. This week, we will cover Divorce, Personal Injury, and Bankruptcy.

Divorce Lawyers
Divorce and family lawyers probably work with the most stressed out client base of any practice area, maybe only coming in second after the personal injury/medical malpractice lawyers. Aside from uncertainty, clients working with a divorce attorney are angry, scared, bitter, and are experiencing a handful of conflicting emotions. Therefore, when branding a divorce firm, attorneys should choose calming colors, and avoid red, orange, and yellow, and go for softer earth tones.

Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury law is the most commercialized area of law. However, it is also very sensitive. Aside from vehicle accidents, another area of law practiced by personal injury attorneys is wrongful death. If a picture of a lawyer is swinging a sledge hammer to shatter a window that has “insurance company” written on it, this will not communicate the firm as a compassionate and reliable personal injury attorney. Again, use softer colors. However, a more corporate feeling is appropriate as well to give the feeling of reliability and experience. By the way, the shattered “insurance company” window…we didn't make that up.

Bankruptcy Lawyers
While bankruptcy clients are also feeling a handful of emotions, they are primarily scared and a little embarrassed. Bankruptcy attorneys can project themselves as being tough because they are what will come between the client and large banks, intimidating financial institutions, and collectors. Darker colors are appropriate, but earth tones may provide some feeling of calm. When your firm has the option to look tough and calming, you have some creative variables to work within.

Next week, we will talk about immigration, criminal defense, employment law, and estate planning.