Website builders simplify website creation for businesses of all sizes, including law firms. A good law firm website builder offers user-friendly designs, customization tools, and advanced features like content management systems and plugins. To help you draw in potential clients and ensure your legal practice stands out from the competition, our team at Comrade Digital Marketing is sharing how to choose the right website builder for your law firm’s website design. In this guide, we will:
Tell you why law firms need a website
Give you factors to consider when choosing a lawyer website builder
Discuss the best website builders for law firms in 2024
Explore what lawyers should keep in mind when creating a website
Why Do Law Firms Need a Website
Your law firm’s website is likely the first impression your firm will have on potential clients. With this first impression, your website serves as a hub for current and prospective clients to find information about the firm and its attorneys, access resources such as case studies and legal updates, and contact the firm directly. Below are more reasons why law firms need to invest in their website design.
Online visibility: Most people today search for products and services online, including legal services. Having a website makes it easier for potential clients to find your firm online.
Credibility: A professional website gives a law firm credibility and demonstrates that they are serious about their business. It shows that the firm is established and has invested in its online presence.
Branding: A website allows a law firm to establish and promote its brand. Through the use of logos, images, and content, a website can effectively convey a law firm’s brand identity.
Information and resources: A website can be used to provide information and resources to potential clients. For example, a law firm may publish information about their practice areas, team members, client testimonials, and resources such as legal guides and articles.
Client convenience: A website can provide convenience for clients by allowing them to easily contact the firm and schedule consultations.
Ready to create a compelling online presence for your law firm? Learn about effective website design strategies in our latest blog post.
Do Lawyers Need Website Builders?
The short answer is, yes! While lawyers don’t necessarily need website builders to create a website, lawyer website builders can be a helpful tool for those who may not have the technical skills or time to build a website from scratch. Website builders offer customization options, pre-designed templates, and drag-and-drop tools that make it easy for lawyers to create a professional-looking website.
Top 7 Best Website Builders for Law Firms in 2024
Let’s take a look at some of the best website builders for law firms in 2024 to help you make an informed decision and take your firm’s online presence to the next level. In this guide, we are covering the top website builders, which include:
WordPress
Webflow
Wix
Squarespace
Weebly
Hostinger
SITE123
1. WordPress
WordPress is the largest website-building platform with over 800 million sites created to date. It accounts for over 43% of the market shares in the field of website building. It is a highly customizable website that lawyers, law firms, and attorneys can use in their website journey.
With its extensive range of SEO tools, open-source platform, and e-commerce capabilities, WordPress can help law firms create a professional and effective online presence that meets their specific needs. Additionally, WordPress offers a vast library of plugins and themes that can be easily integrated to help law firms manage and grow their website.
Pricing
WordPress itself is a free and open-source platform that can be downloaded and used to build a website. However, there are some costs associated with using WordPress as a website builder for lawyers and law firms. These include:
Domain name: You will need to purchase a domain name, which typically costs around $9 for the personal plan to around $40 per month for a business plan. The enterprise piece is not stated on the website so you have to contact the WordPress team for pricing.
Web hosting: You will need to choose a web hosting provider to host your website, which can range from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the level of service and features.
Themes and plugins: While many themes and plugins for WordPress are free, some premium options can cost anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
Pros and Cons of WordPress for Lawyers
Pros:
Customizability: WordPress offers a high degree of customizability, allowing law firms to create a unique website that meets their specific needs and requirements.
SEO tools: WordPress offers a range of built-in SEO tools and plugins that can help law firms optimize their website for search engines and improve their online visibility.
Open-source platform: WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning it can be customized and extended by developers to create custom features or integrations for law firms.
E-commerce capabilities: WordPress can be used to create an online store for law firms that sell products or services through their website.
Extensive library of plugins and themes: WordPress has a vast library of plugins and themes that can be easily integrated to help law firms manage and grow their website.
Cons:
Technical knowledge required: WordPress requires some technical knowledge to set up and manage, which may be a challenge for lawyers who are not tech-savvy.
Security and maintenance: WordPress requires regular updates and maintenance to ensure the website remains secure, which may require time and resources from law firms.
Third-party integrations: Some third-party integrations may require additional coding or customization to work with WordPress, which may be challenging for law firms with limited technical expertise.
Ultimately, WordPress’s popularity stems from its flexibility and ease of use. It provides law firms with extensive customization, SEO tools, and e-commerce features, allowing them to build websites that perfectly align with their needs.
Delivering Business Results: Our Digital Marketing Case Studies
2. Webflow
Webflow stands out as a compelling website builder for law firms seeking maximum customization and design control. This platform provides a professional website experience with high adaptability, though it does come with a steeper learning curve. Webflow’s visual development approach allows users to meticulously place and modify elements, making it ideal for firms with very specific branding visions. However, Webflow does require some understanding of HTML and CSS, so it best suits tech-savvy lawyers or those prepared to hire a web developer.
Pricing
Webflow offers more complex pricing than some competitors, featuring site plans for basic websites and e-commerce, as well as account plans tailored to individuals and teams. Site plan pricing ranges from a basic free option to advanced enterprise-level solutions.
Standard: Starts at $29/month (billed annually) – Basic e-commerce functionality.
Plus: Starts at $74/month (billed annually) – Expanded features for scaling businesses.
Advanced: Starts at $212/month (billed annually) – For high-volume e-commerce operations.
Pros and Cons of Webflow for Lawyers
Pros:
Extensive Design Control: Achieve a unique, bespoke website look that perfectly reflects your firm’s brand.
Excellent Performance: Sites built on Webflow often boast fast loading times and smooth functionality.
Robust CMS: Manage your law firm’s website content with ease, including blog posts and practice area descriptions.
SEO Capabilities: Optimize your site for search engines with Webflow’s tools.
Cons:
Technical Complexity: Webflow’s power comes with a steeper learning curve, potentially unsuitable for lawyers without technical experience.
Potential Costs: While basic plans exist, advanced features or professional assistance may increase costs.
Limited Integrations: Compared to some options, Webflow might have fewer seamless integrations with third-party tools.
If you prioritize absolute design control and are comfortable with some technical aspects, Webflow could be your best website builder for a law firm. However, beginners seeking out-of-the-box simplicity might find other platforms more user-friendly.
3. Wix
Wix is one of the most popular law firm website builders and offers a range of features and tools that can be valuable to lawyers looking to create a professional online presence. The platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for lawyers to customize their website design without any coding knowledge, while its range of professionally designed templates offers flexibility to create a unique and branded website.
Wix also offers a range of SEO tools that can help law firms optimize their website for search engines, ensuring that they can be found easily by potential clients. Additionally, the platform offers affordable pricing plans that make it accessible for law firms of all sizes and budgets. Wix’s integrations with third-party tools such as social media platforms, analytics tools, and email marketing software make it easy for law firms to manage their online presence and connect with potential clients.
Pricing
Wix has a range of enterprise plans for larger organizations with specific needs. The platform is free to use, making it ideal for solo lawyers. This plan includes hundreds of templates, unlimited pages, and top-grade hosting.
Website plans are further divided into 4 plans.
Connect Domain plan: It is the most basic plan and is priced at $8/month (when billed annually). It has all the features of the free plan plus more storage.
Combo plan: This plan is designed for personal use or small businesses and starts at $16/month (when billed annually). It includes a free domain for one year, more storage and bandwidth (2GB), and 30 minutes of video hours.
Unlimited plan: This plan is suitable for growing businesses and starts at $22/month (when billed annually) and is the most popular one. It includes all the features of the Combo plan, plus more storage and bandwidth (5GB), 1 hour of video hour, a $700 ad voucher, and a site booster (SEO) app.
VIP plan: This is the last option in the website plan. It is $45 (when billed annually). The plan includes all the features in the Unlimited plan plus 100GB storage space, a $700 ad voucher, a site booster (SEO) app, professional logo design, and priority customer support.
Pros and Cons of Wix for Lawyers
Pros:
Easy Editing: Wix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to customize website designs without any coding knowledge.
Pre-Made Templates: The platform offers a range of professionally designed templates that can be customized to suit the unique branding and messaging of the law firm.
Convenient SEO Tools: Wix offers a range of SEO tools to help law firms optimize their website for search engines, including meta descriptions, title tags, and structured data markup.
Affordability: The platform offers affordable pricing plans, making it accessible for law firms of all sizes and budgets.
Seamless Integrations: Wix offers a range of integrations with third-party tools such as social media platforms, analytics tools, and email marketing software, making it easy to manage a law firm’s online presence.
Cons:
Editing Limitations: Wix’s drag-and-drop editor can be limiting for more complex customizations or advanced features that some law firms may require.
Customer Support: Some users report that the platform’s customer support can be slow or unresponsive at times.
Restrictive Plans: The platform’s pricing plans can be restrictive in terms of storage and bandwidth, and there may be additional costs associated with premium features or third-party integrations.
With a host of pre-made templates and convenient editing tools, Wix simplifies website creation for lawyers. Its drag-and-drop editor, professional templates, and SEO features ensure a visually appealing, search-optimized site on a budget.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace is another good lawyer website builder platform that offers a range of features and tools that can be valuable to attorneys looking to create a professional online presence. The platform offers a range of professionally designed templates that can be customized to suit the unique branding and messaging of the law firm, without requiring any coding knowledge.
The templates are responsive, meaning they adapt to any screen size, ensuring a seamless experience for site visitors on desktop or mobile devices. Squarespace also offers a range of SEO tools that can help law firms optimize their website for search engines, including the ability to add meta descriptions, title tags, and structured data markup.
Additionally, the platform offers affordable pricing plans, making it accessible for law firms of all sizes and budgets. Squarespace’s integrations with third-party tools such as social media platforms, analytics tools, and email marketing software make it easy for law firms to manage their online presence and connect with potential clients.
Pricing
It’s worth noting that Squarespace doesn’t offer a free plan, but does offer a 14-day free trial for all plans to test drive the platform. Additionally, Squarespace charges a transaction fee on each sale made through its e-commerce platform, which varies depending on the plan.
Personal plan: This plan is designed for personal use and starts at $16/month (when paid annually). It includes a free custom domain, a mobile-friendly website, and access to a range of website templates.
Business plan: This plan is designed for small businesses and starts at $23/month (when paid annually). It includes all the features of the Personal plan, plus fully integrated e-commerce features, access to advanced website analytics, and checkout on your domain.
Basic commerce plan: This plan is designed for growing businesses and starts at $27/month (when paid annually). It includes all the features of the Business plan, plus powerful merchandising.
Advanced commerce plan: This plan is designed for high-volume businesses and starts at $49/month (when paid annually). It includes all the features of the Basic Commerce plan, plus advanced shipping and discounts, and the ability to sell subscriptions.
Pros and Cons of Squarespace for Lawyers
Pros:
Professional design: Squarespace offers a range of professionally designed templates that can be customized to create a visually appealing website for the law firm.
Ease of use: Squarespace’s user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor make it easy for lawyers without coding knowledge to create and manage a website.
SEO tools: Squarespace offers a range of built-in SEO tools that can help law firms optimize their website for search engines and improve their online visibility.
Mobile responsiveness: Squarespace’s templates are designed to be responsive, meaning they adapt to any device and screen size, ensuring a seamless experience for visitors on desktop or mobile.
Cons:
No free plan: Though Squarespace’s pricing plans are affordable, the absence of a free plan makes it less suitable for solo lawyers on a tight budget.
Customizability: Squarespace may be less customizable than other lawyer website builders, making it harder to create complex or unique features.
Transaction fees: Squarespace charges a transaction fee on each sale made through its e-commerce platform, which may impact law firms that sell products or services through their website.
Limited integrations: Squarespace has a limited range of integrations with third-party tools, which may limit the ability of law firms to connect with clients or manage their online presence.
Squarespace offers lawyers beautiful templates and easy website management, making it an ideal platform for beginners. Its SEO tools aid search ranking, though consider the lack of a free plan and potential transaction fees before committing to this website builder.
5. Weebly
Weebly is easy to use and offers a range of features that can be beneficial for lawyers and law firms. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to easily create and customize their websites without any coding experience. Weebly also offers a variety of professional-looking templates that can be customized to match the branding and style of a law firm.
Weebly’s e-commerce features can be useful for law firms that sell legal products or services online. The platform allows for easy integration with payment gateways and shipping providers. Additionally, Weebly’s mobile optimization ensures that the website is responsive and looks great on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Pricing
Weebly offers a range of pricing plans for its website builder platform. Here are the current prices as of 2024:
Free Plan: Weebly offers a free plan with limited features. They are free SSL security and the ability to add third-party embed code.
Personal Plan: The Personal Plan costs $10 per month when paid annually or $13 per month when paid monthly. This plan gives you the perks that come with the free plan and the ability to add a custom domain.
Professional Plan: The Professional Plan costs $12 per month when paid annually or $16 per month when paid monthly. This plan includes all the features of the Personal Plan, plus advanced site stats, a free domain, the ability to remove square ads, and password protection.
Performance Plan: The Performance Plan costs $26 per month when paid annually or $29 per month when paid monthly. This plan includes all the features of the Professional Plan, plus more features.
Pros and Cons of Weebly for Lawyers
Pros:
Easy to use: Weebly offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for them to create and customize their law firm websites without any coding experience.
Affordable pricing: Weebly’s pricing plans are affordable and offer a range of features that can be useful for law firms of different sizes and needs.
E-commerce features: Weebly’s e-commerce features, including the ability to sell legal products and services online, can be helpful for law firms looking to expand their business.
Mobile optimization: Weebly’s mobile optimization ensures that the website is responsive and looks great on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Cons:
Limited customization: Weebly’s templates and design options may not offer the same level of control over the website’s design and functionality as other website builders.
Limited third-party app integrations: Weebly’s app store is not as extensive as other website builders, which may limit the ability to add certain features or integrations.
Limited scalability: Weebly may not be the best option for law firms looking for a highly scalable website that can handle a large amount of traffic and complex functionality.
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder ideal for lawyers, ensuring both affordable pricing and mobile optimization. It offers drag-and-drop editing, professional templates, and e-commerce tools to help law firms establish a strong online presence.
6. Hostinger
Hostinger stands out as a compelling website builder for law firms seeking affordability and robust tools. Their platform is known for user-friendliness and offers a good combination of features relevant to lawyer websites. Hostinger’s standout advantage is its budget-friendly pricing, often including freebies like domain names with certain plans. However, while it’s accessible for beginners, it retains enough power to let you scale your website as your firm grows.
Pricing
Hostinger’s website builder plans are particularly cost-effective, with options ranging from single-page sites to more advanced solutions. Some plans include features like a free domain name and generous bandwidth.
Single Website: Starts at $2.99/month (billed annually) – Perfect for basic websites without advanced needs.
Premium Website: Starts at $11.99/month (billed annually) – Includes a free domain, increased storage and bandwidth, and email marketing tools.
Business Website: Starts at $15.99/month (billed annually) – Adds e-commerce features and advanced analytics.
Pros and Cons of Hostinger for Lawyers
Pros:
Affordability: Hostinger’s plans are very budget-friendly, making it great for starting a law firm website.
Ease of Use: An intuitive interface makes building and managing your website simple.
Scalability: Hostinger plans offer room for growth if your firm’s online needs expand.
Freebies: Domain names and other features are often included in plans at no extra cost.
Good Support: Known for their responsive customer support.
Cons
Depth of Customization: Compared to some builders, design flexibility might be slightly less extensive.
Potential Upselling: While core plans are affordable, some advanced features may require upgrades.
Limited Third-Party Integrations: You might find fewer seamless integrations compared to some competitors.
For law firms seeking a budget-friendly website builder that balances ease of use with powerful features, Hostinger is a strong contender. However, firms prioritizing absolute design control or highly specialized functionality might benefit from exploring more complex platforms.
7. SITE123
SITE123 positions itself as an excellent website builder for law firms prioritizing a fast, beginner-friendly setup. It simplifies the process with a guided approach and a library of law-specific templates designed for a professional law firm website. SITE123 is best suited for lawyers who want a simple, polished online presence without extensive customization needs. The tradeoff is that it offers less granular design control than some competitors.
Pricing
SITE123 features a free plan along with several tiered premium options. Premium plans offer increased storage, bandwidth, custom domain connection, and e-commerce functionality.
Free Plan
$0/month:
Includes basic website features
500MB storage
1GB bandwidth
Limited features and SITE123 branding
Basic: $12.80/month (billed annually)
Advanced: $28.80/month (billed annually)
Professional: $45.60/month (billed annually)
Gold: $60.80/month (billed annually)
Pros and Cons of SITE123 for Lawyers
Pros:
Fast Setup: SITE123’s guided approach makes creating a basic website incredibly quick and easy.
Law-Specific Templates: Choose from templates curated for law firm websites, saving design time.
Free Option: Start with a basic site at no cost and upgrade only if needed.
Appointment Booking: Some plans include appointment scheduling tools relevant to law firms.
Cons:
Limited Customization: SITE123 offers less design flexibility compared to builders like Webflow.
Feature Simplicity: Functionality might feel basic for lawyers needing advanced features (complex intake forms, etc.).
Ads on Free Plan: The free plan includes SITE123 branding on your website.
Potential for Outgrowing: Smaller firms starting on a basic plan might outgrow the available features down the line.
Is SITE123 the right choice? If a fast launch and ease of use are your top priorities, SITE123 is a solid selection for your law firm’s website. However, those who foresee the need for extensive customization or niche features may benefit from exploring more complex website builders.
What Is the Best Website Builder for a Law Firm
There are a lot of factors that come into play when considering the best website builder, and ultimately, the right choice depends on your preferences and needs. The table below compares popular website builders for law firms, highlighting key features like ease of use, templates, SEO tools, pricing, e-commerce options, mobile optimization, and integrations.
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace | WordPress | Weebly | Webflow | SITE123 | Hostinger |
| Intuitive Editor | Drag-and-drop | Drag-and-drop | Requires some technical knowledge | Drag-and-drop | Visual development, requires HTML/CSS knowledge | Guided approach | User-friendly |
| Templates | Professionally designed, customizable | Professionally designed, customizable | Vast library, highly customizable | Professional-looking, customizable | Extensive design control | Law-specific templates | Budget-friendly with good features |
| SEO Tools | Yes | Yes | Yes, with plugins | Yes | Yes | Yes, but basic | Yes |
| Pricing | Free to $45/month | $16 to $49/month | Free, costs associated with hosting/themes/plugins | Free to $29/month | Complex, varies | Starts from $11.88/month | $2.69/month |
| E-commerce Capabilities | Yes | Yes | Yes, with WooCommerce | Yes | Yes | Yes, on premium plans | Yes |
| Mobile Optimization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party Integrations | Wide range | Limited range | Extensive via plugins | Limited | Limited | Limited | Some available |
| Pros | Easy to use, affordable, wide range of integrations | Professional design, ease of use, good SEO tools | Highly customizable, vast plugin/theme library | Easy to use, affordable, ecommerce features | Extensive design control, excellent performance | Fast setup, law-specific templates, free option | Affordable, easy to use, scalability |
| Cons | Limiting for complex customizations, slower customer support | No free plan, less customizable, transaction fees | Requires technical knowledge, security/maintenance needed | Limited customization and integrations, limited scalability | Technical complexity, potential costs, limited integrations | Limited customization, feature simplicity, ads on free plan | Depth of customization, potential upselling, limited third-party integrations |
Wix offers user-friendliness, numerous integrations, and free to premium plans. Squarespace boasts professional design but lacks a free option. WordPress is highly customizable (for tech-savvy users) with extensive plugins. Weebly is simple and affordable but may be limited in terms of scaling. Webflow provides design control for advanced users but can be costly. SITE123 enables fast setup with law-specific templates, though customization is limited. Hostinger excels in affordability and ease of use.
Ultimately, choosing the best law firm website builder depends on factors such as budget, desired level of customization, technical expertise, and specific feature requirements. Each option offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important for law firms to carefully consider their needs before making a decision.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder
When choosing a website builder for your law firm’s website, there are several important factors to consider. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for you. Taking the time to evaluate each option and using the factors below will help you find the perfect website builder for your needs.
Ease of use: Look for a builder with intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, especially if you don’t have extensive technical experience. This empowers you to build and manage your law firm website builder without needing a developer.
Flexibility: The website builder should provide users with the flexibility to customize their website as per their business requirements. Opt for a platform with professionally designed templates specifically tailored for legal professionals and legal services.
Law Firm SEO: There should be built-in search engine optimization (SEO) tools to help improve the website’s search engine ranking and visibility.
Hosting: The website builder should offer reliable and secure hosting for the website, ensuring that it remains accessible and functional at all times.
Customer support: Reliable and timely customer support to cater to any technical issues or queries that users might have.
Pricing: The website builder should offer affordable and transparent pricing plans, along with the option to upgrade or downgrade as per the user’s needs.
Integration: The best website builder should offer easy integration with third-party tools and services, such as social media, payment gateways, and email marketing platforms.
Analytics: Your ideal website builder should equip users with in-built analytics tools to help track website performance and monitor user behavior.
SEO: Choose a builder with robust SEO tools to help your website rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for potential clients to find you.
Features: Consider crucial features like client intake forms, appointment scheduling, and integrations with legal practice management software.
What Should Lawyers Keep in Mind When Creating a Website
There are specific legal and ethical considerations that law firms should keep in mind when building their website. Here are some of them:
Attorney advertising regulations: The most important thing for law firms is to be aware of the rules and regulations governing attorney advertising in their jurisdiction. For example, some states have specific requirements for disclaimers, disclosures, and content that can be included in attorney advertising. Website builders can provide templates that include required disclaimers and disclosures when lawyer websites are being customized in order to comply with regulations.
Confidentiality and privacy: Law firms need to ensure that their website is secure and that client information is protected. Website builders provide SSL certificates to encrypt website traffic, secure hosting, and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR.
Accessibility: Law firms’ websites need to be accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual or hearing impairments. Website builders can help address these concerns by offering accessibility features such as alt-text descriptions for images, keyboard navigation, and color contrast options.
Ethical considerations: Law firms need to ensure that their website accurately represents their practice and services, and does not make false or misleading claims. Website builders help to provide guidance on best practices for website content and design, and by offering templates and features that comply with ethical rules and regulations.
Elevate your law firm’s online presence with effective website objectives. Discover the strategies you need in our latest blog post.
Next Steps for Building Your Law Firm Website
Website builders are a convenient way to create your law firm website without prior experience and ensure your website receives heightened visibility at the top of the search engine results. However, when choosing a website builder, it’s crucial to assess factors like pricing, ease of use, features, and customization options when selecting a website builder.
Apart from these considerations, law firms must also bear in mind legal and ethical considerations including attorney advertising regulations, confidentiality, privacy, accessibility, and ethical obligations.
For help building your website and ensuring it is compliant with legal and ethical requirements, make Comrade Digital Marketing Agency your reliable partner. With extensive experience working with attorneys, we offer law firm SEO services, web design solutions, and PPC advertising to enhance online presence, boost visibility, and attract new clients for improved profitability.
About the Author
