Features and Needs of Legal Sites

Legal web sites have their own unique requirements and features. Our research determined that attorney biographies, areas of practice, client success stories, and a client list were important for properly representing the firm on-line and for bringing in new clients. Additional features requested by the customer were Active Content areas in the left margin and in the top right of each page. Also built into the site layout was a 'Breaking News' box, which allows the customer to include links to special pages such as a 'Client Discussion' page, 'Client Success Stories' pages, or recently written articles. Since the title of the box is easily changed, it can be used as a 'Glossary', or any other function which the firm may choose.

Site Navigation

The screen shot to the left illustrates the simplicity and elegance of the site's navigation. The primary links are distributed horizontally just beneath the header. Careful selection of the text in the primary links ensures visitors will have little trouble finding the information they seek.

The Biography Page

The screen shot to the right is a good example of Bayview Internet's Biography page. It includes a photograph, personal data fields, an (optional) email link, and plenty of paragraphs for including professional training, experience, accomplishments, etc.