Designing a new website or undertaking a comprehensive redesign is often met with trepidation. Planning and selecting a consultant for the project can be an annoying and daunting process, but it doesn’t have to end in disaster. For legal professionals and firms considering a website redesign, avoiding three major pitfalls may be the key to success.
The first common mistake is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) with the expectation of finding the best fit consultant. Though the process of issuing RFPs is standard practice across various industries, it often obstructs the establishment of an effective law firm/web design partnership. As explained in an earlier post, the main issues with RFPs are the lack of relevant pricing information and thoughtful expectations list. Consequently, this scares away quality vendors. To avoid this, it is recommended to conduct interviews before writing any formal proposal.
The second hurdle is the focus solely on price. Leading with costs can lead to subpar vendors, restrictive contracts, and confusion when the job goes out of scope. The reality is, when the focus is primarily on price, your firm could end up paying more than your original unrealistic budget. An alternative approach would be to compile a list of preferred consultants, interview them, understand their work process, and review their previous projects. This comprehensive method ensures you have a deeper understanding of what you’re investing in.
Lastly, many firms fail to consider how their website will be used internally. Not considering the backend usage of the website by your staff can result in unexpected costs down the line. Therefore, planning on how staff will be using the website and their skill level should be considered during the scoping of the website redesign.
Taking a methodical, well-researched approach can make the path to a successful website redesign less daunting. Prepare for the journey, avoid these pitfalls, and increase your firm’s chance of successfully revamping its web presence.
Article inspired and based on the original content written by David Hitt, the President of Splat, Inc.