Qs & As
Who are you?
Hello, I’m Martin Gregory, a practising Solicitor with 10 years post qualification experience, 8 as Partner in a general High Street law firm.
What’s the problem?
If your law firm doesn’t already have a website, you’re ignoring probably the best means of marketing and conducting your business. The same goes for staid and dated brochure sites introduced years ago and never updated. You really are missing a trick, and a very cost effective one at that!
IT-savvy Clients expect a more efficient, inclusive and transparent (not to mention cheaper) service than was perhaps the case traditionally. The vast majority now want to be able to track progress of their case 24/7, pay Bills on-line or otherwise interact/participate in the legal process. New, commercially minded entrants have woken up to this and, by satisfying the increased demands of today’s new breed of Client, compete without geographical constraint, diverting work away from the high street like never before. Their main weapon in enticing, retaining and servicing such Clients is their website, simply and instantly accessed via free and paid Internet listings.
So how can you help?
Well, the good news is that all Solicitors practices can compete in this market, provided their website has the right design, make-up and content. This is where I come in. From discussing your objectives, to formulating a campaign, to choosing and securing your domain name, to designing the look and feel of the site, to writing the content, to ensuring visibility on Google and other Search Engines, to publishing, hosting and managing the site and email, to fronting search engine optimisation and pay per click advertising campaigns, I can help at every stage of the process. Unlike other legal website designers, you don’t need to waste time briefing me on the challenges facing the profession or the Law Society’s/Solicitors’ Regulation Authority’s specific requirements. As a practising Solicitor, I can also help write legal content and guidance and know what applications (conveyancing quotes, real time case tracking, electronic forms and questionnaires and newsletters to name just a few) add value. Essentially, I can view the whole project from your perspective, having gone through the whole process before. Such experience and expertise is invaluable.
So you’re a website designer as well?
Unfortunately not, but I know a man who is! Working in conjunction with a trusted and successful website development and design company ensures the best of both worlds.
What packages do you offer and how much do they cost?
This all depends. I offer packages to suit law firms of all shapes and sizes from customised to bespoke websites to fixed fee to monthly fees. My solutions are completely flexible and I only charge for what you really want/need. Just give me a call for a free initial chat.
Do you provide any other services?
Yes, I deal with most other aspects of practice management for small and medium sized firms, including:
- IT/network installation and support
- Digital telecoms
- Advertising/Marketing in both old and new media
- Human Resources/Payroll, encompassing recruitment, Contracts, policies and procedures, training, wages and employer notifications and returns using HM Revenue & Customs’ Secure Government Gateway
- Accounts-postings, reconciliations, management accounts, month and year end reports and electronic payments
- Regulatory compliance, such as Anti-Money Laundering
Further details can be found at www.thesolicitorspractice.co.uk.
I operate www.solicitor-jobs.com, a quick, cheap and easy way to post Solicitors jobs online. The fixed fee is £100 plus VAT, whatever the vacancy, and regardless of the advert’s size or duration. With no Agents’ commission to pay and introductory discount, what are you waiting for, especially as the first 25 registrations are FREE?
I also run www.solicitorsreferrals.co.uk, a national referral network by Solicitors for Solicitors. There are no third party introducers, with all that that entails, and you only pay an annual registration fee, meaning that you keep 100% of the fees. The first 25 subscriptions to SearchLite are FREE.
Finally, as I remain a practising Solicitor, I also act as a locum, dealing with family and matrimonial, civil and commercial litigation, employment, conveyancing and wills. You may need someone just to cover holiday absence/s or help out at busy times. Either way, as a Grade 1 fee earner, your firm’s mark up is considerable and you still enjoy all of the other advantages and benefits mentioned above. Please visit www.thelocumsolicitor.co.uk for more information.
