Financial Advisors – websitedesignfor.com

Most of our clients fall into one of these two categories…

You Have No Website

Financial advisors without a modern website are missing out on a critical opportunity to connect with today’s digital-first clients. Millennials and Gen Z aren’t picking up the phone—they’re researching online, and if you’re not there, they’re moving on. Without a credible web presence, potential clients may question your legitimacy, and even loyal clients struggle to refer you without something tangible to share. Relying solely on in-person networking in an increasingly digital world puts you at a serious disadvantage, especially when competitors are capturing leads directly through online searches. On top of that, uncertainty around compliance can lead to complete inaction—causing you to fall even further behind.

You Have a Basic or Outdated Website

Having a website isn’t enough if it looks outdated or doesn’t work on mobile devices. Many advisors have basic sites that do little more than check a box—no lead capture, no updates, and no real brand presence. These sites often feel abandoned, don’t inspire trust, and perform poorly in search engines, meaning you’re invisible to potential clients in your area. Worse, they may include outdated disclosures or miss key compliance elements, creating unnecessary risk. Without integration to tools like your CRM or scheduling software, or the ability to track user behavior through analytics, your website becomes more of a digital paperweight than a growth engine.

Website Requirements by Level – Built for Financial Advisors
Wouldn’t it be nice if your website simply worked—looked professional, built trust, and clearly showed who you are and how to contact you? At a minimum, every financial advisor deserves a mobile-responsive site with secure hosting, local SEO, compliance-friendly disclosures, and clear calls to action. A site that reflects your professionalism and helps clients feel confident before they ever pick up the phone.

Or imagine going a step further—with features that actively support your business growth. Lead capture forms offering helpful downloads, a blog to keep your insights fresh, scheduling tools, testimonials, and social proof that reassure visitors they’re in the right place. And for those ready to truly elevate their digital presence, advanced tools like client portals, resource libraries, interactive calculators, and automated newsletters can turn your website into a powerhouse of engagement and retention. Best of all, every level can be built with compliance in mind—because in this industry, peace of mind matters as much as design.

DIY Website Builders with Templates ($10-30/month)

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress with financial advisor templates
Advisor handles all setup and maintenance themselves
Limited customization and financial-specific features
No compliance guidance or industry expertise

Link to Do It Yourself page.

Freelance Web Designer – General ($1000-3000)

Individual designer creates basic custom site
Usually one-time fee with additional charges for updates
May lack financial industry knowledge and compliance understanding
Variable quality depending on the freelancer’s experience

Small Agency – General ($3,000-8,000)

Team-based approach with designers and developers
More professional project management
Potentially faster turnaround than freelancers
May still lack financial industry expertise

Financial Industry Website Specialists ($5,000-15,000)

Companies focused exclusively on financial service websites
Deep understanding of compliance requirements
Industry-specific templates and modules
Often include maintenance packages and regular updates

Full-Service Digital Marketing Agency ($10,000-30,000+)

Comprehensive branding and marketing approach
High-end custom design and functionality
Integration with broader marketing strategies
Ongoing content creation and lead generation

Enterprise Financial Marketing Solutions ($25,000-100,000+)

Complete digital ecosystem for large advisory firms
Extensive compliance-checked content libraries
Integration with client portals and proprietary systems
White-glove service and dedicated account managers

Regulatory Compliance

Financial advisors face several website compliance requirements that are important to address in their web design:

Regulatory Disclosures
- ADV Form disclosure requirements (if RIA)
- Clear display of registration status (RIA, broker-dealer, etc.)
- Prominent placement of Form CRS for SEC-registered advisors
- State-specific disclosure requirements
FINRA Requirements (for those affiliated with broker-dealers)
- Pre-approval of website content
- Archiving of all website versions
- Specific language requirements for certain topics
Testimonial and Endorsement Rules
- Recent SEC changes under the Marketing Rule allow testimonials with proper disclosures
- Clear disclosure of whether testimonial providers are clients
- Disclosure of any compensation for testimonials
Performance Advertising Limitations
- Strict rules about how investment performance can be presented
- Required disclaimers about past performance
- Prohibitions against certain claims or guarantees
Social Media Integration
- Compliance requirements extend to linked social profiles
- Need for archiving and monitoring of interactive elements
Cookie and Privacy Notices
- Requirements under privacy regulations (CCPA, GDPR if applicable)
- Clear privacy policies regarding client information
Accessibility Compliance
- ADA website accessibility requirements to avoid potential lawsuits
- WCAG 2.1 guidelines compliance increasingly important
Record-Keeping Requirements
- SEC/FINRA requirements to maintain copies of website versions
- Documentation of approval processes