Many legal professionals think complex language makes them look smarter. This is wrong. Simple language on your website works better. It helps more visitors become clients.
Why Simple Language Matters for Legal Websites
Your potential clients are often stressed. They need legal help and feel overwhelmed. When they visit your website, they want clear answers. If your website content is hard to understand, they will leave. They will find another lawyer who speaks their language.
Simple language does three important things:
• Makes visitors stay longer on your site
• Helps people understand your services quickly
• Builds trust with potential clients
• Improves your google ranking
Search engines like Google prefer websites that are easy to read. When you use simple words, Google shows your site to more people. This means more leads for your practice.
Common Mistakes Legal Professionals Make
Most lawyers make the same mistakes with their website content. They use legal jargon that confuses visitors. Words like "litigation," "tort," and "indemnification" might be clear to you, but not to your clients.
Here are the biggest mistakes:
- Using Latin phrases without explanation
- Writing sentences that are too long
- Not explaining what services actually mean
- Assuming clients know legal processes
- Forgetting to include a clear call to action strategy
These mistakes cost you clients. A professional website should speak to regular people, not other lawyers.
How to Write Simple Website Content
Writing simply doesn't mean writing poorly. It means being clear and direct. Here's how to improve your website content:
Use Short Sentences
Long sentences confuse readers. Break complex ideas into smaller parts. Each sentence should have one main idea.
Choose Common Words
Instead of "commence," use "start." Instead of "pursuant to," use "according to." Your clients will thank you.
Explain Legal Terms
If you must use legal words, explain them right away. For example: "We handle conveyancing (the legal process of buying and selling property)."
Write Like You Talk
Read your content out loud. If it sounds stiff or formal, rewrite it. Good website content sounds natural.
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Making Your Website More User-Friendly
A user-friendly website does more than just use simple language. The whole experience should be easy. This includes:
Clear Navigation
Visitors should find what they need in three clicks or less. Use simple menu names like "Services" instead of "Practice Areas."
Strong Headlines
Your headlines should tell visitors exactly what you do. "We Help You Buy Your Dream Home" is better than "Residential Conveyancing Services."
Easy Contact Information
Make it simple for people to contact you. Put your phone number at the top of every page. Use a clear contact form.
Website Design That Converts
Simple language works best with clean website design. High-conversion websites combine clear writing with smart layout. Your website development should focus on what visitors need most.
Key elements include:
• One clear message per page
• Plenty of white space
• Easy-to-read fonts
• Mobile-friendly design
• Fast loading times
When your website is easy to use and understand, more visitors become clients.
SEO Benefits of Simple Content
SEO-optimised websites use language that real people search for. When someone needs a lawyer, they don't search for "legal counsel." They search for "lawyer near me" or "help with divorce."
Simple language helps your google ranking because:
• People spend more time reading your content
• Visitors are more likely to share your pages
• Search engines understand your content better
• You match what people actually search for
Testing Your Website Content
After you simplify your website content, test it with real people. Ask friends or family to read your pages. If they can't explain your services back to you, your content needs more work.
You can also use online tools to check reading level. Aim for a Year 9 reading level or lower. This doesn't make your content childish - it makes it accessible.
Getting Professional Help
Improving website content takes time and skill. Many legal professionals find it easier to work with experts who understand both website management and legal services.
Professional website builders who specialise in legal websites know how to:
• Write content that converts visitors into clients
• Create lead generation websites that work
• Ensure your site ranks well on Google
• Design pages that are easy to navigate
A website upgrade might be exactly what your practice needs to attract more clients.
Remember, your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your practice. Make it count by using language they understand and trust.
Call one of our team or book an appointment at a time that works for you. We'll show you how simple language can transform your legal website into a powerful client-generation tool.