I was flipping through websites looking for a podiatrist. They’re easy to find on Google. One after another, I reviewed their sites.

I found one who looked good. Excellent credentials, good experience, and nice photo, so I continued to read.

Then I noticed that he’s more than a foot doctor. Right next to “Podiatry” it says “Keys Made” (and, yes, I’m making this up). So, he fixes feet and makes keys? Handy. Yep.

My immediate reaction is “I need a doctor who focuses on feet, not keys,” and I flip on to the next site.

That’s the same reaction you get when someone comes to your site and sees that you do employment law as well as family law. “I need a lawyer who focuses on employment law, not family law” is the way the prospective client reads that site.

But you’re really good at two things, right? So what? This isn’t about what you’re good at; it’s about helping a client know you, like you, and trust you.

Remember, your website (and all of your marketing material) isn’t about you. It’s about them and their problem. Do they have a foot problem? A key problem? An employment law problem? Or a family law problem? Focus on them.

If you want to do two things, then you need two sites. You need one about employment law and another about family law.

You need two sites even if you’re not getting much business from the Internet.

Why Dual Practices Need Two Websites

Because your prospective clients, even those directly referred by someone they trust, are checking out your site before they call. They need to see that you’re the solution to their particular problem. The employment law people will lose confidence when they see “family law” on the site and vice versa.

You need two sites so your prospective clients, regardless of the source, feel comfortable in the knowledge that you’re the expert they can count on to solve their problem.

Am I suggesting that you lie about your practice area? Nope. Feel free to mention your additional activities, but focus on the problem the website visitors need you to solve. Don’t spread yourself thin. Let them know that you understand their problem and that you’re the solution.

Two sites feels like too much? Give me a break. Building two sites is trivial compared to learning and keeping up in two areas of the law. Keep the sites simple if you like. Make them one, two, or three pages. Keep them short and sweet.

Don’t be the key-making podiatrist. Don’t be the family-law-practicing employment lawyer. Be the specific solution to their specific problem. You can always buy your keys, like the rest of us, at Home Depot.