One of the old dames of Top 250 web sites, EBG needs a new site to match its size and presence where everybody knows them (Labor-NY and Health-DC) and where people are getting to know them (TX, GA, IL, etc.). I’m sure a new site is around the bend. In the meantime, they’ve added good news content through ebghealthlaw.com.
The three home page headlines were so fresh; they were still warm out of the oven. Were you expecting me? Because that was something I harped on last time around (that and the Eagles-Green Bay). Since both teams stunk it up last year, we’ll move on in the review. In the nearly 23 months between visits, the firm has done a lot to upgrade the quality and content of the site. Everything is better. I would mess with the design a bit, though.
Some of the smaller of the top 250 seem inclined to put the “peer review” sticker (for lack of a better word) on your home page. This type of thing is assumed from big firms. Small firms looking for credibility sometimes are better suited to still use it. I also watched your new video movie in flash—and want that minute of my life back. Now that you think I hate your site, let’s talk about the positives. I really liked the division of headline categories on the home page. A little different, but relevant. And informative. You made putting all the office info on one page work. I found the hot links in the narrative of some bios (to cases) a very nice touch. The “in the media” page is one of the stronger of the news center section. The blue background did not work for me as well today as a few years ago. Maybe it is my vision going. All those little head shots are also a nice addition. I’m using the word “nice” a lot. I’m getting soft.
Firms like LeBoeuf are killing me. Here is what I said the last time: “The site still needs a redesign to appropriately compliment outstanding contributions from firm attorneys. I’ll repeat what was said a year ago—tell a developer to take what you’ve got and get it all prettied up.” You took what you had, prettied it up, and have a strong, professional web site presence. I was especially fond of the bios—the look, layout and content. I’m not sure what the firm’s policy is on the bios of associates, but too many were skeletal. You need to have some narrative to round out the credentials. Many had none. Some had a line or two. Two more suggestions – provide the ability to subscribe on the “client alerts” page; and create a real map/directions page for each office. The Yahoo map thing does not do it. Those pages are extremely useful to visitors when done well.
I’m sure that this is something you don’t already know, but when you hit an attorney bio, you lose all navigation and site design—you need to back-button your browser. In other words, when you check your web site traffic numbers, they are going to be way off in terms of how many pages people really are viewing. The home page is the site’s strength—providing a pretty good feel for who you are. Call it a hunch, but you’ve probably been growing too fast to dedicate a lot to the web site’s organization and development. I was intrigued by the www.boardpractice.com co-sponsorship with Wash U (which is Washington University in St. Louis for all of you not married to a spouse that donates enough to her alma mater that we get stuff in the mail every day—and phone calls galore). You can check it out through the “Directors College” link on the PSWS home page. They call themselves a “first generation regional law firm” and have crafted a message that reflects it—with a colorful ad campaign and high-energy message. When you stop growing for a second, throw some cash at the web site team.
It is always nice to see design images that I have not seen on hundreds of sites over the last few months. I’m still going to give you the same old lecture about having something current on the home page and a brief little description of who you are. And you probably know that I’m not a big fan of pop-up bios (unless I’m watching VH-1…I used to say MTV, but I’m too old now). Most of the issues involve some reorganization, archiving and tightening. I really like the look and feel. You can keep that. Another site where a little dab here and a little dab there would make the experience more fruitful. By the way, the site map is great. The search engine was not working at all on review day.
Pretty much the same site as last time I looked – OK, but still too graphics-heavy (totally unnecessary), and the effort could be better. But, since I have a bunch of friends at Ballard (saw one partner at the Four Seasons last week, always see another at the Italian spot in Moorestown I frequent)—and I want to stay friendly, we’ll leave the comments at that. Nothing like those awkward social happenings in Center City. Being part of the upper echelon of Philadelphia society, I have to worry about that type of stuff.
The long overdue new bellboyd.com is certainly an improvement, but drops the ball a little bit in focusing too much on look over ease-of-use. Overall, I liked the general design. Yet, I was spending a little too much time figuring out how to navigate through. Some of the content could be richer. Not everyone is going to surf all the way through, like poor me. The career center was a strength.
Being met with a metrosexual-looking dog touting “the hairiest deals turned best in show” made me think I could open up a zoo using just animals from law firm ads. Of course, the world-famous pit bull of Pape & Chandler in Florida would beat the daylights out of the Bingham mutt. The site still features good content, but it is not at the same level of a few years ago. I still want the home page to give me a better idea and feel of who you are. Clicks that constantly led to PDFs annoyed me. The site is still fine, but a little ruff (get it?).
The home page is still ineffective, although the use of graphics do add a nice touch. I still like the color-coded concept for news/events, but that section too needs better organization. For those where the “web copy” school of thought is to keep text to a minimum, Blank Rome does that. This is a site that could be greatly improved with some smart touches and a little different structure. At the same time, it is refreshing to be a little different, while still providing most of the necessary information. It probably would not take an enormous effort to move up in class. I like the look and layout of the “books” section. As you can probably tell, I have mixed emotions on this site. I want to love it, but can only like it some.
