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The following is a listing of frequently asked questions and helpful procedures for forwarding information to Consultwebs.com or for general coordination of your data.  Please also see our Video FAQ's.

Please contact cwsupport@consultwebs.com or 919-272-8052 with any questions.

Note: For general questions on e-mail, attachments, searching, downloading files and the basics of Internet use, Learn the Net is a very good resource.  We and others post general purpose, search engine and Web marketing information on our bulletin boards.

1. E-mail Account Request, Configuration Tips Outlook Problems
2. Checking E-mail from a Web browser
3. Editing with FrontPage
4. Consultwebs Support
5. Why is there such disparity in Web pricing?
6. Length of time to obtain search engine rankings
7. Web & search engine rankings & maintenance
8. Writing a print and Web press release to announce your site
9. Finding resources, e.g., online calculators, photos, Web tools ...
10. Evaluating Legal Directories
11. Evaluating Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firms
12. Maintaining your Web site and keeping up with search engines submissions and rankings
13. Databases on the Web - often less expensive and do not require software
14. Do you accept credit cards
15. Pasting information into an e-mail or word processor
16. Adding an e-mail signature
17. Unsolicited pop-ups, e.g., oinadserve, MidADdle spyware.  Also see Parasitic Pop-up Ads.
18. Posting to the bulletin board
19. NetSpeak - fun & useful net' abbreviations (e.g., see you - cu)
20. Consultwebs.com background information
21. Video & Audio on the Web
22. Preventing Spam & too much e-mail in general
23. Preventing Viruses
24. Improving search engine rankings
25. Law Web marketing
26. How does a Web site compare to traditional advertising?
27. Enhancing your Web site
28. Web hosting by telephone, communications, publishing companies
29. Web design by book publishers
30. Web design by companies that are owned or managed by attorneys
31. Removing Word markups (FrontPage related)
32. Evaluating your Web site
33. Web and Tech training
34. E-mail list management and resources
35. Renewing or transferring a domain name
36. Checking statistics
37. Interpreting visitor statistics
38. Web resources
39. Legal software information
40. I wish to communicate with site visitors in a non-HTML fashion.  Should I use a blog or a discussion board. 
41. Blogs versus or in addition to Websites - See our Article: "Law Firm Blogs, Hip or Hype?"
42. Individuals stealing your content - cease and desist letters
43. Preventing search engines from indexing / cataloguing Web pages
44. Solicitations to exchange links with another Website
45. News feeds, newsletters, other Web resources
46. I have lost all or part of my site
47. North Carolina Ethics and other states' ethics rules and domain name considerations

 

E-mail Account Request Form and configuration of Outlook / Outlook Express

Please see our E-mail page to request e-mail accounts or for configuration tips.  If you are transferring from another Website hosting company, please see our Hosting Transfer Form.  If you are have problems sending and/or receiving from Outlook, see our bulletin board.  If you are not certain whether your problem is with your e-mail program (e.g., Outlook) or the mail server, see if you can send and receive e-mail using Appies.

Checking E-mail from a Web browser

Webmail is an option that you can choose or refuse.  You must have a POP e-mail account to use this feature.  However, aliases that forward to a POP account will be included since the e-mail messages forward to the POP account.

Type your domain name, followed by /appieswebmail, e.g., http://www.yourdomainname.com/appieswebmail, into your Web browser Address field.  If you have trouble remembering the address, bookmark it (add it to favorites.)  Enter your e-mail address, e.g., jsmith and password.

When you first log in to your WebMail, click the Preferences link and change the Name field to your name as well as Reply To to your email address.  You can also add a signature. 

To attach a document, click on Attach new file (it is in white text.)  Browse to find the file and click on Send.

Editing your Web site with FrontPage

Please see our Web Instructors site for instructions and FrontPage purchase information.

Consultwebs.com Support

If you are unable to send or receive e-mail or open your Website, steps you can take include:

1. Type your URL (Web address) into your browser address bar to see if your Website is up.
2. See if an external site is up, e.g., www.usatoday.com.
3. See our FAQ’s for methods to test or configure your E-mail: www.consultwebs.com/faq.htm.
4. For these types of problems and/or others, write to cwsupport@consultwebs.com (our managers receive e-mail at this address) or call 800-872-6590.

We also place many support tips and techniques on our Discussion boards.

Why is there such a disparity in Web pricing?

Some Web design companies have low overhead.  Some try to buy market-share, lock clients into other services or get a foot in the door with low pricing.  On the other hand, some Web design companies want unreasonable prices for their work.  It is best to find a good middle ground.  More than 90% of Web design companies fail. This is typically due to one of three reasons.  The individual(s) may not be able to manage a business once the client load exceeds a few sites.  Some design individuals determine that they can make more money and work less hours working for someone else.  Others fail because one or two people can not provide the skill sets needs to design, program and search engine optimize Web sites.  Each of these items requires a different mindset.  Small design firm work does not typically compare favorably to the work of professional design firms.  Additionally, clients become upset when their Web sites are not successful and/or can not be found in the search engines.  You can learn more in our Evaluating A Web Designer section.

Length of time until a site shows up (is indexed) in the search engines

Search engines and directories consist of free and paid submission databases.  It normally takes 6 to 8 weeks to be fully indexed (registered) in the search engines.  The indexing process can be expedited if you are willing to pay e.g., LookSmart 15 cents per click with a $15 per month minimum, Yahoo $299, AltaVista $39, Lycos $18 and Google and Overture's pay-per-click amounts for an express sponsor submission.  The pay for inclusion search engines typically index sites within a few days to one week if you pay the express registration fee.  However, our complete search engine optimization process (if chosen as an option) takes 6 - 8 weeks to fully take effect.

Yahoo recently began charging $299 for express application submissions.  While Yahoo is important, the Web owner must decide whether the $299 for a Yahoo express "application" is warranted.  Paying $299 does not guarantee that Yahoo will accept the site.  Google does not charge for submissions.

Google offers "Ad words" which can be a good value.  Each time someone clicks on your ad, you will pay a price ranging from a few cents to a few dollars, depending upon the popularity of the search term.   To see an example, see our Google web promotion consultants sponsored ad.  Please also note that we also have two top 10 regular listing rankings for Web promotion consultants for our PromoteWebs and Consultwebs.com sites.

Pay for inclusion campaigns can range from two or three hundred to several hundred dollars per month.  An aggressive campaign will require $1,000 per month for the first few months.  An extremely aggressive campaign for competitive phrases, e.g., Vioxx, can run a few thousand dollars per day.

The most heavily used search engines are Google, Yahoo and MSN.  Google indexes more of the Internet than any search engine.  Google employs superb technology retrieves high quality results very quickly.  Google is the fastest growing search engine and has developed numerous strategic partnerships.  According to Jupiter Media Metrix, Google is the clear leader in "Average Minutes Spent Searching Per Visitor" and has more than twice the number of "Total Search Hours" of the nearest competitor (Yahoo.)

To achieve maximum visibility, your site should be entered in Google, Yahoo, MSN, (these three are the most important), Lycos, HotBot, AltaVista, Excite, Go.com (payment required), AOL (payment typically required) and Northern Light.  Submission services you should consider include DMOZ, Overture (payment required), LookSmart (payment required), Google Ad words (payment required) and Inktomi (payment required.)

If it is critical that a site be placed quickly and listed in the search engines quickly, it can be done by using sponsored ads and pay for inclusion programs.  For example, we fully designed sites and helped develop the site's content within three days and had them listed in the major search engines within another four days.

We will be happy to advise or assist you in developing your Web and marketing campaign.  We have sponsorship and/or Ad word accounts with Google, Overture, LookSmart, AltaVista, Yahoo and other search engines and directories.  Please see our search engine page and discussion boards for more information.  Click here for the links to search engine submission pages.

Finding resources, e.g., online calculators, photos, Web tools ...

Maintaining your Web site and keeping up with search engines submissions and rankings

Organizations are busy and often do not have time to maintain a site. Consultwebs.com serves as backup Webmasters for a number of businesses and law firms.  Search engines are busy and often drop sites from their listings -- or sites drop in the rankings.  Contact us for solutions and options.

Considering the Web for databases

Databases can often be programmed less expensively on the Web than using PC based application software.  Additionally, users can query from the Web and do not have to house the database and e.g., the current version of Access, Filemaker, etc., on their PC.  Databases can be updated from an authorized PC.  Many of our clients password protect their databases and/or have databases on their Intranets and Extranets.  Examples of non-password protected databases include a New York disaster database we developed and Poyner & Spruill L.L.P.'s attorney database.

Do you accept credit cards

We accept most major credit cards through PayPal or through our secure online entry form.  We also accept e-checks through PayPal.

Pasting information into e-mail or a word processor to send to Consultwebs.com

Open a Web page.  Place your finger on the left mouse button, click at the head of the information that you would like to copy, then drag the mouse downward, highlighting all of the information that you would like copied.  Release your finger from the left mouse button and click on Edit > Copy.  Now click into the email or word processor, then click on Edit > Paste to paste the chosen text into an e-mail or your word processor.  (You can also right mouse click to use the Edit > Copy and Paste.)

Adding an e-mail signature

Typically, you can add a "signature" or "text file".  The Outlook Express process is to open your e-mail system, click on the dropdown for Tools > Options > Signatures > text and enter the desired text (or file name.)

Getting rid of unsolicited pop-ups

To remove a pop-up on a one-time basis, click on Alt > F4.  For permanent solutions, see our general discussion board.  We have several posts about pop-up ads.

Posting to our or your bulletin board

To post messages or respond to other messages, you must first register a user name and password -- unless your organization has implemented a generic user name and password.  If you wish, you may also enter your photo and a brief bio, allowing other members to see your information and photo when they click on your underlined (hyperlinked) name. 

You may also notify an individual or group (if a group list is instituted that a post has been made.) Please see our discussion boards for examples.

Who are your managers and when did you enter the Web business?

Consultwebs.com is managed by Dale Tincher.  Dale is also our Law Firm Web Audit Manager.  Staff member certifications include a LawCommerce.com T³ (Top Tier) Consultant designation, North Carolina Bar Association Technology Provider (TAP) Consultant endorsement (Dale Tincher is the only endorsed NC Bar TAP consultant), Novell CNE, Microsoft CNSE and various design and programming designations.  We have several designers, programmers, search engine optimization specialists and content writers on staff.  Our firm has designed and/or consulted more than 100 Web sites for clients throughout the United States and England.  Our office is located at the Forum I in Northwest Raleigh.

Management Team
Manager of Content Services: Michael Dayton, J.D., Mike.Dayton@consultwebs.com
Manager of Design Services: Kevin Evans, Kevin.Evans@consultwebs.com
Search Engine / Admin Specialist: Jennifer Hartman, Jennifer.Hartman@consultwebs.com
Client Relations Manager: Nicole Longo, Nicole.Longo@consultwebs.com 
Programming Manager: Magnus Simonarson, Magnus.Simonarson@consultwebs.com
Senior Project Manager: Jessica Theiss, Jessica.Theiss@consultwebs.com
CEO: Dale Tincher (BIO), Dale.Tincher@consultwebs.com
President: Lisa Vaughn, Lisa.Vaughn@consultwebs.com
Executive Support / Developer: Michael Wice, Michael.Wice@consultwebs.com
Content Specialist: Aaron Phelps, Aaron.Phelps@consultwebs.com
Executive Assistant: Gretchen Bolton, Gretchen.Bolton@consultwebs.com
Project Manager: Daniel Loy, Daniel.Loy@consultwebs.com

Video and Audio on the Internet

Please view some example videos we have developed or placed.  Also view an audio on a client site - www.samakowlaw.com.

Preventing spam

Please see our spam tips page and discussion board.  These sections also includes information on spammers using fake addresses (including yours) to send spam.

Preventing viruses

See our General Bulletin Board for virus and hoax sites

Improving search engine rankings

Our PromoteWebs site contains a great deal of information on search engines, rankings and Web marketing.  Our marketing discussion board also contains current information.

Law firm marketing

Please see our Law Firm Web Marketing Site.

How does a Web site compare to traditional advertising?

Search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising provide long-term benefits. Unlike a one-time print or media ad, search engine placement allows your product and/or services to be available for an extended period of time – awaiting the time when purchasers are ready to buy. The typical price of a one-time 1/4 to 1/2-page print ad will purchase a small Web page or focused resource site that will serve you for years.

Enhancing your Web site

Information is located on our Promotewebs.com site.

Telephone company, communications company and publisher hosting services

Occasionally, telephone companies, communications companies and publishers decide to enter the Web hosting business as a means of "locking in customers" or "protecting their customer base."  Sometimes, they sell the Web hosting service as "putting all of your communications and Internet services under one umbrella."  The disadvantages can be numerous.  Many of these companies consider Web hosting a "me too" type service.  In other words, they offer it because competition does or in response to competitive pressures.  Web hosting is not a focus nor one in which they invest heavily and in which they desire to offer the best support and products.  For example, off-the-shelf Web software offerings such as bulletin boards, comprehensive Web statistics and forms are not typically available.  Support calls often require multiple menu selections and then route the caller to voice mail. 

Many non-dedicated Web hosting companies have reviewed their profit centers and abandoned the very competitive Web hosting business. 

We have worked with the same Web hosting management team for five years.  Few hosting services can make that claim.  Internet design, Web marketing and Web hosting "are" our business and we pride ourselves on rapid response and high-quality Web hosting support.

We feel that we can support our clients better if we provide the hosting.  Problems are easier to resolve when there are less variables.  We also offer sophisticated Web statistics and flexible e-mail options.

Web design by book publishers

We are sometimes told that a book publisher has contacted a prospective or existing client telling them that they can design a Web site and use their prominence to promote the site.  We have several clients who previously had Web sites designed by book publishers.  Please call for a list.  Please see our Web marketing board for our comments on book publisher sites.

Web design by design firms managed and/or owned by attorneys

The Web business is very competitive.  Many Web design companies have talented designers and experienced business managers.  The Web business does not pay as well as the legal profession.  We have seem many attorneys enter the Web design business, only to leave within a year or two.

Removing Word markup tags from Word or other documents saved as HTML

Using FrontPage 2002, edit and paste the content into FrontPage.  Once it is pasted, click on the Smart Tags icon at the bottom of the page.  Choose Keep Text Only from the dropdown.  See other tips in our FrontPage area.  Also see the Microsoft Web site.  There are also numerous useful tools on this site, e.g., templates, graphics, etc.

FrontPage 2000 (and prior) users can paste Word content into Microsoft Notepad and then paste it back into the HTML document.

Evaluating your Web site, pricing and/or choosing a Web designer

Please see Measuring Your Web site.

Web and technical training

We train by telephone and on-site visits.  Please see our Web instructors site and our NCBA published article on Tackling Tech Training.  We teach more than 1,000 CLE (attorney) students per year.  We also provide one-on-one and small group training.  We can recommend trainers if we do not offer training in a particular product.

Renewing, transferring or adding a domain name

To add a domain name, you can visit our site www.CWDomainNames.com.  We also offer a feature that lists domain name alternatives.  You can purchase a domain name for $12.95 per year from this site for .com names and $5.95 to $8.95 for .us domain names.   We can host the domain name(s) for prices ranging from $10.00 per month to $99 per month, depending upon your requirements.  We can assist with acquisitions or transfers.  You can also renew, transfer your domain name or determine who owns a domain through www.CWDomainNames.com.  In our opinion, Network Solutions charges unreasonable prices and has substandard service.  We typically recommend that clients transfer their domain name to another registrar.  If your domain name has expired, however, you have no choice but to renew with Network Solutions.  Note:

Be careful of low-price domain resellers who charge for additional services.  For example, a popular reseller offers $8.95 per year domain names, but charges another $9.95 for parking and "forwarding" to another address and for other services.  This is a service that we include in its pricing.

Checking your statistics

Please contact us for login information to access your statistics reports.  Statistics include page views; referrers (e.g., Google, Consultwebs.com and other directories, and other sites that refer traffic to your Web site), files visited and numerous other statistics reports.

Enter https:// followed by the first 10 characters (no dashes) of your domain name, followed by .cwwebs.com:1025/  Next, enter your user name and password.  For example, you might enter https://smithlawfi.cwwebs.com:1025, then jsmith and 123mypassword.  Choose: Statistics > Vew Reports

If you are hosted on a non-consutwebs.com server that we recommended, we will inform you on the procedure to check your statistics.

How do I interpret my statistics?

The following is a list of what you can view when accessing your statistics

• Total Hits This is the count of the total number of items (pages, graphics, video, etc - all elements of a site and its pages) viewed on the site for a particular time period.
• Total Successful Hits This is the Total Hits count minus any elements of the site that were not properly displayed to a user for a particular time period.  If there is a large difference in #1 and #2, it does not necessarily indicate a problem with the site.  It could indicate someone stopped the download of a page in the middle, or left the site abruptly etc.
• Total HomePage Views This is the total number of times that index.html was displayed for a particular time period.
• Total Successful Homepage Views This is the Total Home Page Views minus any views that were not properly displayed for a particular time period.  Again, If there is a large difference in #1 and #2, it does not necessarily indicate a problem with the site.  It could indicate someone stopped the download of a page in the middle, or left the site abruptly etc.
• Total Page Views ( hits minus .jpg .gif .css files ) This is the count of the total number of all pages on the site that were viewed.  Each view counts as one, so if I view the news page 10 times, this count would increase by 10.
• Total Successful Page Views ( hits minus .jpg .gif .css files ) This is Total page Views minus any views that were not  properly displayed for a particular time period.  Again, If there is a large difference in #1 and #2, it does not necessarily indicate a problem with the site.  It could indicate someone stopped the download of a page in the middle, or left the site abruptly etc.
• Percentage of Internet Explorer Accesses Of Total Page Views, this is the number of users that were using IE as browser.
• Percentage of Windows Accesses Of Total Page Views, this is the number of users that were using windows as their operating system.

Legal software information

See our Legal Software site.  For legal links and resources, please see Legal Resource Links.

Cease and Desist letters - individuals stealing your content (examples - we encourage you to consult an attorney)

http://www.chillingeffects.org/fanfic/notice.cgi?NoticeID=7
http://www.webmastertechniques.com/Insight/cease.html
http://www.gatt.org/bushcnd1.html
http://beoriginal.diaryland.com/cdletter.html

Preventing search engines from indexing pages

1. A user name and password can be applied to a folder or subweb to preventing search engines from indexing (cataloging) it or any part of the protected folder.
2. A robots meta tag on each page.  It will  read, "robots no index, no follow".  Virtually all search engines adhere to the "no index tag" and not index the page.  The tag reads, <meta name="robots" content="no index, no follow">.
   To apply the robots tag using FrontPage, choose the FrontPage HTML view and place the "no index, no follow" tag.  Or, you can open a page, "right mouse", click and choose Page > Properties > Custom.  Type "robots" in the Name field and "no index, no follow" in the Value field; or programs can be custom written to protect folders or subwebs.

I have lost all or part of my site

Search for your site in Google and see if the page(s) is in Google's cache.  If not, try www.archive.org.

North Carolina and Other State's Ethics Rules and domain name considerations

Law firms should review their state bar's ethics requirements.  North Carolina law firms can review our ethics rule links and summaries http://www.consultwebs.com/pres/north_carolina_bar_web_ethics_files/frame.htm.  Domain names can be trade names in most states. Firms should review their state bar's ethics opinions. The American Bar Association's Proposed Rule 7.5 states, "(a) A lawyer shall not use a firm name, letterhead or other professional designation that violates Rule 7.1. A trade name may be used by a lawyer in private practice if it does not imply a connection with a government agency or with a public or charitable legal services organization and is not otherwise in violation of Rule 7.1.." The ABA provides convenient links to state bar associations rules governing advertising, solicitation and marketing. The North Carolina State Bar's Rule 7.5 is very similar to the ABA's rule 7.5.

Law firms should contact their state bar for a final interpretation.

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