We are a culture of 4G Facebooking smart phone users who have become accustomed to having the internet at our fingertips. When we have a need, "There is an App for that". Simply put we are a culture that expects to find everything we need online and we expect it to be instant. For churches and non-profit organizations, this means that a website is no longer just an outreach tool, it is a cultural standard; if you run an organization, your organization has a website.
The problem arises: with so many websites out there, how do people find your site? And furthermore, what about your site helps you reach more people?
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Most likely, if you are reading this article you are looking to establish an online presence for your church / non-profit organization or perhaps you already manage a website but want to learn how to get the most out of it. In this article I will go over what key aspects your site should address along with what you should look for in a web design company.
We Want Modern!
A website is more than just pictures and a phone number, it is the number one place people will go to find information about your organization. It is also your first point of sale. Here's what will put you on the map:
Fresh Design - If your site is not modern, it's expired. You must invest in making a perfect first impression. If you want to reach our culture, your site must be modern and up to date. Graphics - A picture says 1000 words... always incorporate graphics into your site. Fresh Content - We are a culture of bloggers. We want the most recent news and we need to be updated and informed. This means you must have new content for visitors to read. Content Management - A perfect way to keep fresh content and easily maintain your site is to use a Content Management System. This allows access for multiple authors to easily modify, add, and remove content on your site. Clean Content - Unfortunately most of your viewers will not read all of your content. Though you need good, quality, fresh content, you also must not overwhelm the viewer. My guess is that you skimmed through some or most of this article. Your content should be concise and to-the-point without sacrificing the intended message. SEO - It is the buzz word web designers use all the time: Search Engine Optimization. Very simply put, make sure search engines like your site and then market yourself for higher ranking. A couple of ways to do this are: update your content frequently, make sure your site is accessible to everyone including screen readers, and use keywords in your content and page titles. Social Tools - We love Facebook. Create a Facebook page and a Twitter account for your organization and start "friending" and "tweeting" (yes, both are now actual verbs recognized by Microsoft Word). But don't stop there... plug them into your website so you can show off how many people like your company (it's all about reputation) and update viewers with your latest news! Specifically for Churches - There are a few key features you should have on your church site. Your site is not just a tool to reach new people, it is a tool to keep your members informed. You should use calendars of events, sermon podcasts, and pastors' blogs. Another great tool for your members is an Evite system that allows your members to invite their friends.
So Where Do You Go From Here?
Is the answer Web Templates? You must set your company apart from the rest, not join the rest. You need to be unique. If you decide to go with templates, make sure to fully customize it to fit your organization's vision and brand. I would recommend finding a company that will custom build a site based around your organization's existing brand.
What about Flash? Flash is awesome, but it should not be used for an entire website. This is because search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing look through your content with Flash, JavaScript, and CSS disabled. This means that any of your content that is written in Flash will not add value in the eyes of search engines. I suggest looking for a text-only browser and looking at your site to make sure search engines have quality, updated information to rank your site.
"We can build your site in 24 hours???" Do not go there. Companies that claim to build you a site overnight do not invest in your organization. The goal of a website is to convey your organization's vision and mission. This is not just communicated in the content, it is communicated in the very design and layout of the site. Make sure the company you work with invests in learning about your organization so that they can design to communicate your vision.
So where then? Invest in a company that will invest in you. Look for a company who knows web design AND web development. Make sure the company you work with knows your specific needs before providing you with a quote. Your budget is already tight; you need a solution that fits it. Look for discounts for non-profits... You deserve it! Find a company with a portfolio of work that displays the key aspects I listed above. It is okay to go with a smaller company. Keep in mind that bigger and more experienced companies expect more money.
Key Features in Church and Non-Profit Web Design
David Hamilton - 706design.net
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