Okay...Here's the deal.

I'm a business transactional attorney who also does marketing for service professionals on the side.

Just put together a new website for my law firm and would appreciate constructive criticism of the content.

As you pick it apart, please note that state bar rules of professional conduct limit content. I can't promise that using my legal services will result in 50-pound weight loss, cure erectile dysfunction or baldness, or provide my clients with 15 bonuses.

Here is the URL: Business Lawyer Plano Collin County TX Dallas Corporation Law Attorney Texas

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Regards,

-Mike

It's okay. Again and again I come back to belief structure. Here is something from my favorite law firm:

Our Stats
As of February 2006 our partners have tried 520 jury cases to verdict, winning 467 or 90%. They have also won 378 of 402 bench trials and 213 of 229 arbitrations. The combined record for all trials and arbitrations is 1058 wins out of 1151 cases, or 92%. When representing plaintiffs, our lawyers have garnered over $5.3 billion in judgments and settlements.

As they might say in Texas, if you can do it, it ain't braggin'.

Hey Mike,
I haven't had a chance to read the copy yet, but I would like to comment on the aesthetics if you don't mind...

Two things that bug me are the header and the link buttons/text on the right side of the page.

I love a ll the pictures on the header, but they don't seem to fit well together. I would revise the header and possibly move the headshot (pic) somewhere else on the page.

You may want to ask Mr Subtle for some feedback on this and see if he can give you some ideas on what would be best.

The text links on the right side are waaay too big.

If I get some time, perhaps tomorrow I'll come back and give you some feedback on your copy.

Sell the free consultation aspect.

Explain why they should take you up on the free consultation, what they stand to lose if they don't shop around for an attorney.

How you'll tell them if you're not a good fit because YOUR time is limited and you can only handle a limited number of preferred clients.

Also tell them the free consultation may not last forever because again you have a limited amount of time (that gives urgency for your call to action - getting them to book a free consultation with you).


For this kind of service I would strongly recommend you create a referral system from happy clients.

Create an endorsement letter they can send out or even an online endorsement letter they can email their business collegues to.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

FREE Online Copywriting Course

John,

Great use of stats. Thanks.

Regards,

-Mike

Stephen,

Thanks for the design input. Appreciated.

Regards,

-Mike

Andrew,

Thanks for these valuable tips. Will implement the free consult advice. The endorsement letter idea is intriguing. I'm using dead tree testimonials. Going to have to research the ability to use online endorsement without running into improper solicitation issues with the state bar.

Regards,

-Mike

Hey Mike,

I know you really asked for a copy critique, but since I'm a better web developer than copywriter I'm going to focus on the web stuff!

Like Stephen, I have to say I feel your site could look a bit more professional. While I appreciate the importance of copy, the look of a site does say a lot about the company and people behind it and your site has a very dated look in my opinion. With three almost equal width columns across the page it's difficult to know which one to focus on, and while having links on the right side makes sense to me because it's closer to the scroll bar, convention says links should be on the left or across the top and that's where most web surfers expect them to be.

In regards to the copy I think it's alright, but you could probably get your point across and convey the main benefits of doing business with you with a lot less words. Also, I know a free consultation sounds like a really generous offer to you, but I think many people would be intimidated by this because they're probably expecting a hard sales pitch when they call in. I'm a big believer in two-step marketing and think a better offer might be to signup for your newsletter or a special report to give people a chance to know you and trust you before they call in for that consultation - plus that might also help to prequalify folks and see to it that you don't waste your time with those who aren't good prospects.

You're off to a good start there, but with a few key changes I think you'd have a much more effective website.

All the best,

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your insightful design comments.

Regards,

-Mike

Dumb question, but why not incorporate those bullets from the left column to
your salesletter instead?

For me, you need a better headline. But I'd imagine that's tough due to being
in compliance (as much as possible) with your state's laws on advertising by
attorneys.