Your Homework

That's right! You as the customer will play a very important roll in getting the job done. If you get your part done, we can most likely have your site ready for use within a week.

Hosting

First of all is the topic of "Hosting". This is where we will set up your site and where all the files we need to install will go. We will always recommend that you use Hostgator.com for your host server. It is not imperative that you do, but we have have used them for most of the sites we develop and have had almost no problems with configuration and up-time. Their support is also some of the best around and the amount of space they offer for even their smallest package will most likely never be filled. Use the link below to check them out and sign up.

Hostgator Web Hosting

No matter where you host, here is a list of specifics that your hosting should have for us to do our work. A reputable host provider should have these items listed right on their site in the table that defines the package. If not, move on.

• Linux Server (Windows platform will not work)
• PHP enabled (version 5.x is best but no older than 4.x)
• PHP MyAdmin access
• MySQL databases (version 5.x is best but no older than 4.x)
• cPanel access
• At least 1 gigabyte of space (almost any good host service should have much more than this)

Domain Name

Next Subject is your "Domain Name". While you can register a domain name in many places, there are only a handful of actual registrars out there that will allow you full control over your domain name and the tools needed to manage it. We have found GoDaddy.com to be perfect for the job. They are a top level registrar and their domain tool set is highly extensive. Yes. GoDaddy also does web hosting, but good practice a developer says that you should host your site and register your domain separately. However we can install your site at GoDaddy if you make sure to get a package with them under the above guidelines.

Please Note: If you already have your domain registered and have no desire to migrate it to GoDaddy, please make sure you will be able to set your own DNS records to point to the desired host server where your site will be located. Your registrar will be able to provide you this information.

Content

Last and most importantly for your homework is the "Content" that will go into your site. Yes, you will be expected to provide the content that goes into your site. We can do it for you, but it as been our experience with all sites that we have developed (not just lawyer sites) that customer provided content is best to fit what you want visitors to know. Plus, as you would expect, if we develop your content there will be extra charges. While we can get to work on your site before content is gathered, development goes much faster when you have it ready to go before we begin. I cases like this we will insert Lorem ipsum (dummy text) as a place holder element until actual content is provided.

Ok, what do we mean by content?

• Home page introduction
• About Us content
• News/article content
• All contact information (names, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, street address etc...)
• Lawyer profiles (best to have each lawyer write their own)
• Images (lawyer headshots, picture of your office etc...)