The design of mid-sized law firms' Web sites continues to outstrip their content and usability, according to a survey of 100 law firms, which awarded the prize for the best site to London firm Collyer-Bristow for the second year running.

Web site consultancy Intendance surveyed the sites of 100 firms with between 20 and 190 fee-earners for their content, design and usability.

Collyer-Bristow's site topped the survey for the second consecutive year (see [2003] Gazette, 25 April, 11) with a total score of 91%, followed by Cheshire-based Alexander Harris and north London firm Hodge Jones & Allen - both on 84% (see box for top ten firms).

The report said: 'Web sites are great levellers and this survey shows that there is virtually no correlation between the size of firm and the quality of its Web site.'

Content was the weakest area, averaging a score of 50%.

The survey singled out problems such as law firms failing to update news, and a lack of good links to publications and photographs of key contacts.

It said: 'Some may shy away from seeing their picture broadcast, but a professionally photographed portrait will add gravitas to a firm's Web site.'

The survey also said firms should be careful to gear their Web sites towards the visually impaired by having text-only versions.

The average score for usability was 59%.

Firms were scored on the ease of finding and extracting information from the Web sites, the sites' profiles on search engine Google, the speed of downloading files, the technical design of the menus and the ability of consumers to print pages.

London firm Payne Hicks Beach came top in this category with 91%.

The reviewers found that introductory sequences on the sites involving the use of animation software were often too slow, and the survey said: 'It is advisable to avoid the use of any introductory sequences, be it an animated sequence or static page.'

Design had the highest average mark, 65%, and was judged on clarity of text, colour and use of images.

Again, use of animation software was penalised.

The survey said that the use of colour 'adds life to a Web site', but warned against the use of too many contrasting colours.

Some colours can make the background text difficult to read, it said.

Collyer-Bristow received full marks for the design of its 'consistent, clean and uncluttered page layout'.

The survey said of the firm's Web site: 'A sense of a "people-focused" firm is instantly conveyed by the use of personnel portraits and quotes - of everyone from the back-office staff to the senior partner.'

It praised the site's extensive content and use of six languages, its easy accessibility and balance between text and graphics.

Alexander Harris's high score reflected an 'extensive and logically laid out' Web site, which 'makes effective use of dynamic menus and shows a good balance between text and images', the survey said.

Hodge Jones & Allen's site was praised for its client focus, extensive provision of case reports and transcripts for most practice areas, and a clean and professional design.

However, 13 firms were awarded no marks because at the time the survey was conducted they either had no Web site, a single-page site or a site under construction.

Jonathan Fox, the chief executive of Collyer-Bristow, said he was 'over the moon' about the survey results.

Of the firm's decision to use staff photographs as a theme of its Web site, he said: 'I think that there are some people who like having their photo taken and some who don't.

The trick is to make it fun.

At the end of the day, clients are buying legal services from real people and that's why we decided to put images of all our staff on the site.'

The survey of law firms follows an earlier Intendance report on chambers, which found that barristers outshone solicitors when it came to setting up sites (see [2004] Gazette, 22 April, 9).

Jeremy Fleming