If you’ve never built a website before, you’re not behind—and you’re not alone.
Most solo practitioners didn’t go to law school to learn hosting, themes, or page builders. The goal isn’t to become technical. It’s to get a clean, functional site online without creating stress or risk.
Below are the three realistic options for solo practitioners with little or no website experience.
Option 1: Website Builders (Fastest, Least Technical)
Best for:
✔️ Brand-new solos
✔️ Lawyers who want something live quickly
✔️ Minimal customization needs
Popular builders include Wix and Squarespace.
Pros
- No technical setup
- Drag-and-drop editing
- Hosting included
- Templates designed for professionals
Cons
- Limited flexibility long-term
- Harder to customize later
- Can feel “boxed in” as your practice grows
Good fit if:
You want a simple, professional presence now and plan to revisit later.
Option 2: WordPress With a Simple Theme (Most Common for Lawyers)
Best for:
✔️ Lawyers who want flexibility
✔️ Anyone planning to grow or add content
✔️ Practitioners who want ownership and control
WordPress powers a large percentage of law firm websites.
Pros
- Extremely flexible
- Widely supported
- Easy to update once set up
- Scales with your practice
Cons
- Initial setup feels intimidating
- Requires hosting and basic configuration
- Too many options can overwhelm beginners
Important note:
Most solo lawyers don’t “build” WordPress sites from scratch—they install a clean theme and edit text.
Good fit if:
You want something solid now that won’t need replacing later.
Option 3: Hire Someone to Set It Up (Lowest Effort, Higher Cost)
Best for:
✔️ Lawyers who don’t want to touch tech
✔️ Busy solos who value time over cost
✔️ Anyone anxious about doing it wrong
This could be:
- A freelance web designer
- A legal-focused website service
- A trusted tech-savvy referral
Pros
- Minimal time investment
- Fewer mistakes
- Faster launch
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Quality varies widely
- Ongoing changes may still require help
Key advice:
Keep ownership of:
- Your domain
- Your hosting
- Your login credentials
What Most Solo Practitioners Should Do
For many West Virginia solo lawyers, the safest path is:
Start simple. Get something clean online. Improve later.
A basic site that:
- Loads quickly
- Lists your services clearly
- Makes it easy to call you
…will outperform a half-finished “perfect” site every time.
What You Don’t Need to Worry About (Yet)
- SEO tactics
- Blogging schedules
- Advanced analytics
- Marketing funnels
Those come after you have a solid foundation.
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