Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some websites ‘preferred’ by search engines and therefore ranked higher than others?
Search engines take into account specific factors such as the extent of inbound links, the structure and coding, the key words used and their appropriateness to the page descriptions, many other ‘technical factors’ and their own (unpublished and changeable) algorithms. If a website is lacking in some or all of these factors it will not achieve high rankings.Whose fault is it if your site does not rank highly?
It is no-one’s fault. It is just that the design of the site, the competition in the profession, and the other factors mentioned above have contributed to a lack of impact on the search engines, although the site may well look very good from a design and aesthetic viewpoint. The great majority of web designers, by their own admission, do not possess the required technical knowledge which is an increasingly specialist area.What can be done to achieve high rankings?
A number of technical changes to your website are necessary along with a programme of building links to other relevant sites. Often, all of these can be achieved with only minimal changes to the visual appearance of the website.How long does it take to effect a solution?
It is very important not to attempt to make all the necessary changes at the same time as search engines may react adversely. However, it is usually possible to complete all necessary changes within a three month period although very often significant ranking improvements manifest themselves more rapidly.Will the website remain accessible while the changes are made?
Yes. There is no need to take the website “offline” - it will continue to be accessible on the Internet at all times.There will be no disruption to your normal work and your use, and your clients’ and potential clients’, use of your website. We will liaise with your IT department and/or your website designer in order to access your site and to carry out the necessary work.
Will the changes alter the appearance of the website?
In most cases the necessary changes can be made without any changes to the way the site appears to the viewer or browser. If, in our opinion, such changes would help improve rankings we will discuss them with you and yours will be the final decision.What does your service include?
Our service includes:- Link Building (to establish incoming links)
- Site Submission (to Internet directories and other sites)
- Content Optimisation (to increase the search engine ‘friendliness’ of the site)
- Code optimisation (to correct errors such as broken links and conformance to web standards)
- Reporting & Maintenance (to report on progress and react to actual performance)
- Integration of Google Web Analytics (to enable you to monitor and analyse your site)
What is the cost of the service?
The cost of the service, which includes a full evaluation of your website, liaison with your web designers and/or your IT department, completion of all necessary corrective actions and monitoring of the site for 12 months ranges from as little as £800 to £1500. This is dependant on the number of search phrases you want optimised, the structure of your website, and other technical factors*.Of this £250 is payable as a non-returnable upfront fee.
The balance is payable only if and when Legal Analytics achieves rankings for your website between positions 1 and 10 (i.e. you will appear on page 1 of the Google search results) for at least 80% of your chosen search phrases within 3 months.
*Occasionally we find websites which have been constructed using Flash or Frames. It is not possible to optimise these unless the site is reconstructed without such aids. This is entirely possible but will incur additional cost which we estimate will normally be in the range £300 - £800 depending on the size of the site. We would be pleased to quote and to undertake such work for you - or you may prefer to use your existing web designer.
Have you provided your service to other solicitors?
Yes. See Case Studies for a selection of clients for whom we have acted.Who are ‘Legal Analytics’?
Legal Analytics is a joint venture between Alcander Ltd and CMA Ltd formed to provide a web analytics service exclusively for the legal profession. Alcander is an Internet Marketing consultancy, established in 2002, which provides search engine optimisation services to various industry sectors. CMA is a management consultancy established in 1986 which provides strategic marketing and management consultancy services to the legal profession.
Quicklinks
Why are some websites ‘preferred’ by search engines and therefore ranked higher than others?
Whose fault is it if your site does not rank highly?
What can be done to achieve high rankings?
How long does it take to effect a solution?
Will the website remain accessible while the changes are made?
Will the changes alter the appearance of the website?
What does your service include?
What is the cost of the service?
Have you provided your service to other solicitors?
Who are ‘Legal Analytics’?
Why are some websites ‘preferred’ by search engines and therefore ranked higher than others?
Whose fault is it if your site does not rank highly?
What can be done to achieve high rankings?
How long does it take to effect a solution?
Will the website remain accessible while the changes are made?
Will the changes alter the appearance of the website?
What does your service include?
What is the cost of the service?
Have you provided your service to other solicitors?
Who are ‘Legal Analytics’?