Michael L. Goldblatt is Associate General Counsel of Tidewater Inc. of New Orleans. Thousands of law firms have launched web sites, and the number continues to grow rapidly. Many of the National Law Journal 250 largest U.S. firms have created sites, or at least reserved domain names. Selecting a domain name is a critical first step in launching a site. The objective is a domain name that is easy to remember and consistent with a professional image.
Domain names with less words are easier to recall.
If a firm is known by an abbreviation, such as ABC, he recommends using it in the domain name. Outside the top 250, some small and boutique firms have chosen forenames that project images of their specialized practice areas. The web site's domain name often serves as the basis for lawyers' e-mail addresses as well. Most Internet service providers offer domain-name services for both web hosting and Internet access. As with all other marketing activities, ethics is an essential consideration in selecting a domain name.