LMAtech2013: Redesigning Your Website? You’ll Need These Tools
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You finally convinced the partners to redesign the website. 07/02/20 22 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for Distribution Without Permission - 510.229.8508 1 And they want to know what it entails. By tomorrow.
LMAtech2013: Redesigning Your Website? You’ll Need These Tools
Virginia Bisek Does your firm’s website need an overhaul? Do you have a good idea of the component software pieces involved in successfully managing and launching a redesign? In this 10 minute session we’ll cover the tools you’ll need to effectively manage the redesign of your website and your new content moving forward, after you launch. •Microsoft Word: You’ll need Word for copy development. If you have the 2003 or earlier version, it’s time to upgrade. •Microsoft Excel: You’ll need Excel to create an audit of your website content; Content you have currently, and content you’ll develop moving forward. •Project management software: There are many popular cloud-based PM software tools. I recommend Basecamp from 37signals. Simple, easy way to communicate with all team members during development, allows access and version control for all files, and stores everything in the cloud for 24/7 access. This tool is also a great way to communicate with outside vendors, too, such as your web developer or web designer – and it keeps a history of all discussions. You can’t live without it and it’s very affordable. You can cancel the subscription when your project ends. For most small firms and solo practitioners the monthly cost will probably run you $24. •Open Source CMS, Blog or WYSIWYG software: All three software types listed here are a type of content management system. A content management system allows you to effectively do that — manage your content. You will want a CMS incorporated into your design that allows you to make changes to your website when and where and how you want them. A CMS leaves you in control. •Photoshop Elements: This is Adobe’s smaller version of Photoshop. For $99 you can edit images and photos and optimize them for the Web. You will use this software often. It’s not necessary to get the entire Photoshop package, unless you have an in-house graphic designer.
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1. You finally convinced the partners to redesign the website.
And they want to know what it entails. By tomorrow. 10/27/201 3
Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for Distribution Without Permission -
510.229.8508 1
2. Yo u 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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3. No problem. Lets get started. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c)
2013 - Not for Distribution Without Permission - 510.229.8508
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4. What does it mean to build a website? Many of the solo
practitioners and bar associations that I work with have two things
in common: They need to redesign their website because the existing
one is old and cranky. They have no idea how to get started. This
makes them cranky. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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5. Website redesign is not without its challenges. But if you
understand the process, keep your ducks in a row, and stay focused
you can build a successful website and have fun while youre doing
it. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for Distribution
Without Permission - 510.229.8508 5
6. Redesign is a misnomer. Many of us think that a redesign
should be easier, and less expensive, than a new design. But if you
are redesigning your website, you are starting from scratch.
Therefore, you are designing a new website. This 10 minute LMA
presentation will set your expectations about the tasks and tools
involved in creating a new website. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c)
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7. 3 Tasks Youll Do to Get Started Project Questionnaire Ten
questions to answer with your team to stay focused and on the right
path. Competitor Analysis What are other law firms doing
right/wrong to attract clients to their websites? Content Audit
Whats on your website now? What should you keep? What should you
throw away? 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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8. STATION BREAK 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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9. What is Content? Its everything that is encountered by
visitors on your website. Its images Its text 10/27/201 3 Virginia
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10. And Its sound Its duck videos Its also PDFs, links,
applications, log in and search boxes, etc. Its everything that
your users see and interact with. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c)
2013 - Not for Distribution Without Permission - 510.229.8508
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11. Back to Your Presentation 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c)
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12. 4 People Youll Need You There must be a point of contact on
your end. Im assuming you are the go-to person. Subject Matter
Experts This is you. But its also anybody else in your firm
responsible for adding content to your website. 10/27/201 3
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13. 4 People Youll Need, continued Designer/Web Developer Hire
a professional to design and build your website across all devices
(i.e., Responsive Design). Copywriter, SEO & Content Strategist
This person can keep your content/copy on point and your own
project management duties to a minimum. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek
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14. 3 Tools Youll Need New versions of MS Word and MS Excel The
teams youll hire are using new versions. Its just good business.
Cloud-Based Project Management Software Your team needs to have
instant access to all documents in production. Whether you choose
Google Apps, or MS Office 365 or Basecamp from 37signals youll need
this software. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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15. 3 Tools Youll Need, continued WYSIWYG, CMS or Blog Software
Any one of these programs allows you to easily access your website
to make changes, edits, additions or deletions that are necessary.
To keep your website fresh and updated, you shouldnt have to rely
on a developer/designer to make daily or weekly changes to your
website. So start off your redesign keeping in mind that you need
to incorporate and learn a content management system. Your
developer/designer will implement this during production. 10/27/201
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16. Thats it! If you implement these tools and follow the tasks
youll keep your project on point, chaos to a minimum and copy
development and design work on track. Meaning it will save you
money. Guaranteed. Let me also say that no two legal firms are
alike. How you complete these tasks depends very much upon your
work load, who is on your team and how you manage your day to day
activities off line. 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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17. I am a Content Strategist & Copywriter. 510.229.8508
www.VirginiaBisek.Com Id be happy to discuss your project in
detail. Thank you! 10/27/201 3 Virginia Bisek (c) 2013 - Not for
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