“If a church … can’t be Googled, for many people it doesn’t exist.” This comment was true when it was made several years ago. And if it’s possible for statements to become truer over time, then this one fits the bill.
Unscientific studies indicate that between 75 and 90 percent of people will visit your website before your physical location. Others indicate that people will visit over one dozen church websites before visiting a church’s physical location. And many—if not most—people visiting your church’s website will make a decision whether or not to visit your church’s physical location solely by their online experience alone.
What all of this points to is one simple conclusion: The front door of your church has been relocated.
It’s no longer located at the physical address of your church.
It has been moved to your digital address. Your church website.
Even though this transition has already taken place, many churches today have a metaphorical “Do Not Disturb” sign on their website. Instead of being an open door leading people to their church’s physical location, many church websites are closed doors leading people nowhere but a new search.
Your church’s website should serve as an extension of the life of your local church—not the unwieldy aspirations of a web developer, intern or volunteer. And as such, your church’s website should serve your church by furthering its objectives.
What follows are four things your church’s website must do. Allow these principles to serve as bumper pads to the development of your church’s website and your new front door.
1. Lead
Your church website should lead people to your physical location.
As a way of reminder, your church website should not exist as a separate entity from the church itself. It should serve as an extension of your local church.
Obviously you don’t have to worry about the people already sitting in the pew. The idea here is to connect with visitors to your site who are interested in potentially connecting with you and your church.
Make this information readily accessible for potential new visitors, too. If they can’t find the physical location of your church on your website, you best believe they won’t be able to find your church come Sunday morning.
Here is some non-negotiable information to share with would-be visitors:
Even though this information is some of the most commonly searched for on a church website, this information tends to be neglected by churches.
These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg.
Place yourself in the shoes of those visiting your church. And think through any questions they may have. For instance, if you’re in an urban location, do visitors need to pay for parking or get a voucher? Is it confusing entering your place of worship.
Also, if you have a large parking lot and shuttles, make sure people know they can get a ride. This article originally appeared here.
Unscientific studies indicate that between 75 and 90 percent of people will visit your website before your physical location. Others indicate that people will visit over one dozen church websites before visiting a church’s physical location. And many—if not most—people visiting your church’s website will make a decision whether or not to visit your church’s physical location solely by their online experience alone.
What all of this points to is one simple conclusion: The front door of your church has been relocated.
It’s no longer located at the physical address of your church.
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| 4 Things Your Church Website MUST Sort out |
Even though this transition has already taken place, many churches today have a metaphorical “Do Not Disturb” sign on their website. Instead of being an open door leading people to their church’s physical location, many church websites are closed doors leading people nowhere but a new search.
Your church’s website should serve as an extension of the life of your local church—not the unwieldy aspirations of a web developer, intern or volunteer. And as such, your church’s website should serve your church by furthering its objectives.
What follows are four things your church’s website must do. Allow these principles to serve as bumper pads to the development of your church’s website and your new front door.
1. Lead
Your church website should lead people to your physical location.
As a way of reminder, your church website should not exist as a separate entity from the church itself. It should serve as an extension of your local church.
Obviously you don’t have to worry about the people already sitting in the pew. The idea here is to connect with visitors to your site who are interested in potentially connecting with you and your church.
Make this information readily accessible for potential new visitors, too. If they can’t find the physical location of your church on your website, you best believe they won’t be able to find your church come Sunday morning.
Here is some non-negotiable information to share with would-be visitors:
- Where are you located?
- How do I get there?
- What time are your services?
- Where do I park?
- Do you provide childcare?
- What should I expect?
Even though this information is some of the most commonly searched for on a church website, this information tends to be neglected by churches.
These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg.
Place yourself in the shoes of those visiting your church. And think through any questions they may have. For instance, if you’re in an urban location, do visitors need to pay for parking or get a voucher? Is it confusing entering your place of worship.
Also, if you have a large parking lot and shuttles, make sure people know they can get a ride. This article originally appeared here.
