Rebuilding an Existing Site.

[AphexDreamer]

So I've been given the opportunity (via family connection) to rebuild a website for a small law firm. The existing site looks like and was made around the year 2002.

I've been asked to rebuild it and make it look modern for a modest fee. I have very little experience with HTML but feel confident I can make what they want happen. Its a simple advertising site with some contact and bio information, nothing complicated.

My questions is, how do I gain access to the hosting servers contents? Do I ask the previous web designer for that information? Do I buy or rent separate server space? They obviously want to keep the same URL. I'm a bit confused on this?

Any other tips and comments are welcomed.

 

[W1zzard]

First I'd ask the owner of the website, because he probably pays the bills for hosting, so he might have some login info. If that doesn't work, try the previous designer, if that still doesn't work, contact the hosting company (be ready to provide some serious proof you are paying for it).

The only potential issues I could image are that the current webhost doesn't have PHP (highly unlikely)/MySQL (unlikely). In that case ask the current host if they can enable it, or if you can switch to a package that offers what you need.

 

[AphexDreamer]

So almost certainly someone is paying a monthly/yearly fee to keep the site up? Does that mean that fee will be placed on to me or is that something the law firm should already be aware of and be paying?

I already asked my sister to ask them to contact the previous website maker for some login information, I just wasn't sure if that is how business was normally handled.

Thanks for the info.

 

[AphexDreamer]

The site remake was a success and they really liked it, thanks for the starting tips!
You can check it out here.
http://www.mitchelloffices.com/

 

[SKL_H]

Wow nice site,
Fresh, simple and clean