Virtual Legal Research Assistant

**I. Setting Up the Website**

A. Choose a suitable domain name
1. Make it short, simple, and related to your service.
2. Use a reliable domain registrar to purchase your domain.

B. Choose a Web Hosting Provider
1. Look for a reliable provider with good customer service, uptime, and pricing.

C. Install a Content Management System (CMS)
1. WordPress is a recommended CMS for its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.

D. Choosing a Theme
1. A theme should be professional, clean, and relevant to the legal industry.
2. Many themes are available free or at a cost, depending on your needs and budget.

E. Install Essential Plugins
1. SEO plugin (Yoast SEO)
2. Security plugin (Wordfence)
3. Caching plugin to improve page load speed (W3 Total Cache)
4. Contact form plugin (Contact Form 7)

F. Customize Your Theme
1. Add logo and modify color schemes to align with your brand.
2. Choose suitable fonts and add relevant images.

G. Setting up an Email Account
1. A professional email address that matches your domain provides credibility.

**II. Setup Checklist**

A. Domain name registered
B. Hosting account set up
C. Content Management System (WordPress) installed
D. Chosen theme installed and customized
E. Essential plugins installed
F. Professional email account set up

**III. Website Content Structure**

A. Home Page
1. Introduction about the service, who it’s for, and why it’s beneficial.
2. Highlight your unique selling propositions.
3. Testimonials if available.

B. About Page
1. Personal introduction – your background as a law student/paralegal.
2. Your motivation to start this side hustle.
3. Experience and skills related to legal research.

C. Services Page
1. Detailed description of all services offered.
2. How the service will be delivered.
3. Pricing information, if available.

D. Blog
1. Regularly updated with articles related to legal research and the law industry.
2. Showcase your knowledge and expertise.

E. Contact Page
1. Contact form for potential clients to reach out to you.
2. Other contact details – email, phone if available.

F. FAQ Page
1. Answer potential questions like turnaround time, payment methods, confidentiality, etc.

G. Testimonials Page
1. If available, showcase testimonials from satisfied clients.

H. Privacy Policy Page
1. Explains how you handle client data, crucial for a law-related site.

I. Terms of Service Page
1. Outlines the rules and guidelines for using your service.

**IV. Post Launch**

A. SEO Setup
1. Keyword research to optimize your content
2. Submit your site to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools

B. Analytics Setup
1. Install Google Analytics to track website performance and visitor behavior.

C. Marketing
1. Social media platforms (LinkedIn for professional connections)
2. Email marketing (newsletter signups)
3. Content marketing (blog articles)

By following these steps, you can set up a professional website for your side hustle as a Virtual Legal Research Assistant. Make sure to regularly update and optimize your site to attract and retain clients.