Websites can be a great first impression. The flip side is that websites can be confusing, off putting or irrelevant. The greatest frustration I have experienced with church websites throughout the years is this…
There’s no point having a website if it hasn’t been updated regularly and the “upcoming events” happened 18 months ago! It sends out a signal that visitors who might want to “check out” a church via their website aren’t that important. It has in the past made me look elsewhere for a church that has up-to-date information.
If a website is not kept up-to-date then it can have the opposite effect than the one desired (of showing that we are up to date). Depending on the graphics, pictures, fonts and layout used it can give an impression of a very ‘dated’ church or equally a very ‘flashy’ church.
I believe churches can use a website to enhance their communication to the members of the church and the public alike. If there is someone who is skilled and creative and has the time necessary to keep the site up to date on a weekly basis then it’s a fantastic idea – as long as it serves the greater purpose and vision of the church.
Thanks Shar. Good point about websites being updated regularly. (Can I be tongue in cheek about this particular site :)!)
ReplyDeleteI think that churches put too much effort into fancy graphic websites. My research shows that it is content that is important, that churches that use blogsites tend to have far better ratings and interaction and followers,
Looking forward to your insights as we go along,
Steve Taylor