Ideas Please!!

bukky · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 01:03 AM

Hey people, I'm new to the whole web design and online business idea. I'm planning on starting an online legal research information service. Could i please get some pointers about developing the website and also setting up the business online as well. Thanks heaps!!

Great Elephant · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 02:42 AM

How about you tell us what your goals for the website would be. Do you know who you're targeting? Will you be trying to profit off the website? etc...

James · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 09:26 AM

You have started off right, already. If you think and plan ahead you can avoid a lot of mistakes.

Without getting into specifics, there are a few very basic ideas that I would keep in mind.

First, listen to Lisa's sage advice. She is a real success story, not an imaginary millionaire guru overnight scam. If you haven't been there already check out her 2createawebsite.com for a lot of good help.

Second, and again you will get this from Lisa too, remember that the two critical areas are content (writing) and marketing. There are a lot of things to learn but those are the two essentials for success.

Third, check out carefully where you learn. For example, there are many sites that are useless if not harmful to use. In particular, no matter how you work, eventually you need to know at least the basics of html and css. Even if you use templates, etc., you need to make simple adjustments. Many sites are terribly outdated and inappropriate for designing modern web sites. For good information the best in this area is probably w3schools.com. Similar factors are at play in other areas. You just want to be careful.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 11:11 AM

Also consider your audience. Since you're choosing legal research, I'm assuming it's something you know quite a lot about. So ask yourself, "What kind of problems or questions do people have regarding this topic?" "What sort of things do people need to know regarding legal research?" Then once you've defined those things, build a site to meet the needs of this specific audience. Use the Adwords Keyword tool and Wordtracker to research phrases people type in surrounding your topic. This may help you narrow it and focus it better.

pcgames · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 11:54 AM

I dont have much idea on that ....nyways all the very best to you...

bukky · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 07:58 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

Great Elephant - my goal for the website is to be able to attract enough traffic and potential customer who will use the service. I also want to be able to make additional income with relevant affiliate programs and other systems such as google adsense. My target audience are australian clients or people with questions about australian law. I will also eventually set up another site that provides will writing services for australian clients. So I'm thinking of getting the back to work package.

James - I will have a look at the website as I really need some knowledge of web design. I will also be looking at some of the stuff avaialable on web design on lisa's 2createawebsite.com

Lisa - I currently work in the field as a Legal Information Officer so I have an idea of the legal questions people ask. Are Adwords Keyword tool and Wordtracker part of the SBI system? Also when I purchase the SBI package is it sent physically or available online?

Thanks pcgames!

lisa · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukky

Lisa - I currently work in the field as a Legal Information Officer so I have an idea of the legal questions people ask. Are Adwords Keyword tool and Wordtracker part of the SBI system? Also when I purchase the SBI package is it sent physically or available online?

Thanks pcgames!

It's available online. You'll just go to http://login.sitesell.com and login with your username and password.