Building an Effective Website

It’s all about the message

Building an Effective Website

They are looking for something, that is, to find out who you are.

Because you have a product they want.

Why do people visit?

By telling people who you are.

By providing resources that help them in their Christian walk.

Satisfying their needs

People who already know about your church and search for it by name.

People searching for a church in your city or region.

Where the come from

Clearly convey who you areAnswer questions people might have about you

Help people understand whether they will fit in

Being effective means…

You must identify a relevant and compelling message to communicate to your audience. Without a message there is no need to create a website.

Before you start…

Before you can identify your message, you must know who you are at your very core and what you are good at.

Before you start…

So who are you?

We are a Christian church.

We worship Jesus and acknowledge him as our head.

So who are you?

Trinitarian theology.So who are you?

We are a Christ-centered fellowship worshipping our loving God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit…

So who are you?

The real question is what makes you different than every other church. Why would I want to visit or be a part of what you’re doing? Are you really doing anything?

So who are you?

We want to:Help more people enjoy new life through faith in Jesus Christ,

Help more people accept this new life Jesus offers,

So who are you?

Help each other enjoy the life He gives us,

Help each other through our pains and difficulties, and

Encourage each other as we live for Christ.

So who are you?

Connecting this world to the “Living Hope”… Jesus Christ

So who are you?

It’s all about Relationship.Pursuing an intimate

relationship with Jesus Christ.Deepening our Relationship

with each other.Reaching out to those in need.

So who are you?

Because people want to identify with:Your organizational DNA and

core valuesYour mission and visionYour beliefs

Why the fuss about identity?

Because people will evaluate whether you are what you say you are.

Why the fuss about identity?

Figure out who you are and what your focus is as a church

Develop that into a storyWrite the text with search in mind

The Basic Process

Start with your mission statement.

Short. 1 sentence or phrase.

Easy to remember

Figure out who you are

Your organizational DNAWhat is it all about?How are you getting it

done?Short, easy-to remember

main points.

Figure out who you are

What is your vision for your church?

Ideally, how does it live out it’s mission and DNA?

Figure out who you are

PurposeCore valuesPlanWork Goals

Figure out who you are

The story you create needs to be compelling. It should generate interest in your church.

It should be consistent.It needs to be authentic.

Developing your story

Your home page is your most important page for attracting new people.

Writing the content

Your home page needs to tell a clear story about your church.

It doesn’t need to tell ALL about your church

Writing the content

The story on your home page needs to take into account how people will find your website.

Writing the content

Your church nameWhat kind of church you are—”Christian church”, “community church”

Your location

Key home page info

We are a community of real people attempting to come alongside one another in this faith journey as we seek to know God in a deeper way and participate with what Jesus is doing in this world through the Spirit who lives in us.

Home Page Example

Add a sentence to the top:Cornerstone Community Church is a Christian church in Lemon Grove, California serving the eastern San Diego area.

Making it better…

Hope Community Fellowship is a Spirit-led body that welcomes new members. We are exhorted to, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead his followers into all truth (John 6:13). Join us in this journey into grace, knowledge, and truth.

Home Page Example

Hope Community Fellowship is a Christian church in The Colony, Texas serving the northern Dallas area. We are a Spirit-led community that welcomes new members…

Making it better…

Welcome to Christian Family Fellowship, a Christian community church located in Jacksonville, Florida. CFF is a diverse group of individuals, united in Christ.

Home Page Example

A clear link for new people

Where and when you meet

Home Page Content

Welcome from the pastor

About the pastor/staffGetting connectedA way to contact you

Other content

Coming eventsEvent calendarWeekly bulletin/program

Other content

Audio/video sermonsArticlesDevotionals

Other content

Clearly convey who you areAnswer questions people might have about you

Help people understand whether they will fit in

Effectiveness recap - musts

Give details on current events

Provide resources to help people in their Christian walk

Help people connect to your church community

Effectiveness recap - mights

Bret Millerbret.miller@gci.orgchurchtech.gci.org

Contact Info