What Makes a Website? A Guide for Law Firms Looking to Leave FindLaw
When you’re paying thousands of dollars each year for a FindLaw website, it might feel like you’re locked into a complicated system you can’t escape. But here’s the truth: a website isn’t that complicated, and you can absolutely own and control it yourself.
Let’s break it down step-by-step—starting with the basics.
1. Domain Name: Your Digital Address
Every website starts with a domain name—it’s the unique address people type into their browser to find your site (e.g., www.yourlawfirm.com).
- Who owns it? Ideally, you should own your domain name, not your web provider.
- How much does it cost? Usually between $10-$20 per year, depending on the domain extension (
.com,.law, etc.). - Where is it registered? Common registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
Action Step: Check if you actually own your domain name. If it’s registered under FindLaw, you’ll need them to transfer ownership to you when you cancel.
2. Hosting: Where Your Website Lives
If your domain is your address, hosting is the actual property where your website files are stored.
- What is it? A server that keeps your website accessible to visitors 24/7.
- How much does it cost? Typically between $10-$50 per month for standard hosting. Premium options can cost more.
- Where can I host my site? Reliable providers include SiteGround, WP Engine, Bluehost, or Kinsta.
Action Step: When you leave FindLaw, you’ll need to set up your own hosting. At Swell Sites, we handle this for you to ensure a smooth transition.
3. Website Platform: The Tool for Building Your Site
Your website isn’t just code floating around—it’s built on a platform that determines how it looks and functions.
- Popular Platforms: WordPress (our preferred choice at Swell Sites), Wix, or Squarespace.
- Why WordPress? It’s flexible, customizable, and allows you to own your content fully.
- Cost: WordPress itself is free, but premium themes and plugins can add up to a few hundred dollars annually.
Action Step: Once you have hosting, your website will need to be built or transferred onto a platform like WordPress.
4. Design and Content: Making Your Website Stand Out
- Design: A website needs to look professional, easy to navigate, and aligned with your brand.
- Content: Clear messaging, strong calls-to-action, and pages that highlight your practice areas.
At Swell Sites, we handle both the design and content migration for our clients—ensuring your new site not only looks great but performs better than ever.
5. The Process of Cancelling FindLaw: Step-by-Step
Leaving FindLaw might feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, it’s completely manageable. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Review Your Contract
- Check your agreement for any termination clauses or notice periods.
- Look for language about domain ownership and content rights.
Step 2: Secure Your Domain
- If FindLaw controls your domain, request a domain transfer authorization code.
- Make sure the domain is transferred to your registrar of choice (e.g., GoDaddy).
Step 3: Set Up New Hosting
- Choose a hosting provider and set up your hosting account.
- Your new website will be built or migrated to this hosting space.
Step 4: Export Your Content
- Request a full backup of your website content, including blog posts, images, and any PDFs.
- If FindLaw refuses to release your content, don’t panic—we can rebuild your site with fresh, SEO-optimized content.
Step 5: Redirect Your Domain
- Once your new website is ready, your domain will be pointed to your new hosting server.
- This ensures no downtime and a seamless transition.
Step 6: Cancel Your FindLaw Subscription
- Once your new site is live, formally cancel your subscription to stop recurring charges.
- Keep written documentation of the cancellation.
6. Why Swell Sites Makes It Easy
At Swell Sites, we specialize in helping law firms break free from FindLaw and take control of their websites. Here’s how we make it simple:
✅ We handle the domain transfer for you.
✅ We set up your hosting and website platform.
✅ We rebuild or migrate your website seamlessly.
✅ We optimize your content and SEO for better performance.
✅ We provide ongoing support to ensure your website stays secure and effective.
