Law Firm Web Design 101: Top 5 Tips for a Better Website Design Process
By Elyssa on May 10, 2023 in Web Design Web Design Tips and Tools
Graphic designers and website designers understand the importance of form meeting function and how it can impact people’s lives. We think we are a special breed. In fact, we actually do think differently from other professions which is why we’re often hired to come up with creative solutions to complex problems.
Here at PaperStreet, we work hard to make sure that your brand, website, and marketing stand out from the crowd. There are a few things that designers wish their clients knew, to make the design process for your website or marketing material smoother and more successful. In this article, we’ll explore five things that can help your web design process run more smoothly.
1. Consider More Than Just the Aesthetics of Your Website
Design is not just about making something look pretty. Good design is about solving problems, communicating ideas, and creating an experience for the user. Designers spend hours researching and strategizing to create the best possible design for your needs. At PaperStreet, our design team has created well over 3000 websites. We’ve seen the layouts that convert the highest, the hero images that get the most attention and other patterns that inform our best practices. Trust your designer to make the best decisions for your project.
2. Maintain a Planning Schedule in Order to Cover All of Your Bases
Speaking of trust, designers have a process that they follow to create effective designs. For example, at PaperStreet, we start with research and brainstorming and then move into concepting and ultimately design finalization. The specific order to our steps helps the project stay on track and prioritizes the main building blocks. We always advise clients to wait until development before we finalize site images which can often lead to a lot of back and forth and lead to a delayed website launch. It’s important to trust the process especially when it’s a tried and true one. Almost every time we’ve broken our process, it has never resulted in a better outcome.
3. Provide Your Designer with Your Feedback as Quickly and Specifically as Possible
Good communication is a key necessity for the success of any design project. Make sure to communicate your goals, preferences, and expectations to your designer. Provide feedback that is constructive and specific. The more information your website or graphic designer has, the better they can create a design that meets your needs.
4. Understand That Your Law Firm’s Website Design is a Marketing Investment
Design is an investment in the success of your business. A well-designed brand or website can set you apart from the competition, attract new clients, create trust with your audience and develop a perception of credibility. While it may seem expensive upfront, it can pay off in the long run. We’ve had many projects that focused on fixing the errors and shoddy work of lesser quality designers.
5. Recognize That the Best Designs are Those That are Created as a Collaboration.
Design is a collaborative process between the designer and the client. While we intend to do the heavy lifting, we still need thoughtful input and feedback to help you achieve your goals. The projects where we have clients providing timely reviews are always the most successful. Active collaboration means the momentum continues to build, ideas get expanded, and something better than what was expected is usually what gets created.
By understanding these five things, you can expect to make the design process smoother and more successful. Trust your designer, communicate effectively, invest in good design and collaborate for the best results possible with your future projects. Together, you can create a design that exceeds your expectations and achieves your goals.
