Kevin O’Keefe of Lexblog has re-mixed a short post from the Wall Street Journal called ”Why most business web sites stink‘. Kevin’s re-title, Why Most Law Firm Web Sites Stink.

The recommendations via Harley Manning at Forrester are nothing new, saying ‘97% of corporate websites get a failing grade’. With the key factors for success identified as: Value, Navigation, Presentation, and Trust. At the end of his post, Kevin suggests that law firms go beyond other legal websites when looking to innovate, and check out other corporate websites.

Ok, Kevin’s probably sticking himself out on a limb here, especially with a 97% chance of replicating one of those failing websites, but the essence of his thought is correct. Web innovation rarely comes from the legal web, and many times law firms don’t need to be that cutting edge. The trick is simply timing your innovation, and when it will be accepted by the business community.

Anyone want a curve ball? I suggest looking at banking websites when it comes to law firm website design. Banks have similar issues - delivering lots of varying services, packaging or productizing services lines, and making the complex easier to understand.  In general, I don’t consider banks more innovative, but if you look at their high-end services, the audiences can be similar. If you’re trying to get outside the box, banking sites can offer an alternative approach to how you conceive of presenting your services online.