Church Website

(1) Keep it updated. No website is better than an old website. Make sure your information is always current. Only add areas to your site when you know you can keep them updated. A visitor browsing your site and finding details about last year's summer programs will not speak well of your church.

(2) Use graphics liberally. Nothing's more boring than a page full of computer text. Use graphics throughout your site. If you're got a graphic designer, consider using simple photos. People browse visually--a bland site turns off the eyes. Make yours colorful, exciting, vivid.

(3) Skip the cheesy junk. That MIDI file that plays "How Great Thou Art" on your home page? Ditch it. Also get rid of those spinning GIF crosses, the animated metallic fish picture and the tiled stained glass window background image. In web design, less is more. Look at what the best sites do (Amazon.com, Yahoo.com, msn.com)--they're colorful, organized, legible and at the same time they're all business. With each site feature, ask yourself, "Is this what I go to a website for?" If you're unsure whether something is a smash or just trash, ask others for their opinions.

(4) Get the basics right. Your schedule, directions, staff information, address, contact information. Make sure the basics are up-to-date and easily found on your site. Most people who go to your church's website are looking for one of three things: (1) how to get to your church, (2) your service times and (3) information about your pastor. Don't mess up these crucial bits of information.

(5) Find something unique. Once you've got your site up to date and all the basic information accounted for, think about what is unique at your church. What's special about your congregation and ministry? Is there some way to feature that on your website? Make at least one feature of your site totally unique to you--something that will draw folks in to visit. It may be photo galleries of your church's events, or online messages by your Pastor. Or maybe your site is the best place to find out about your church's calendar of events. Take one thing and make it great online.