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
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