Value & Benefits of a Website

Your church or ministry website is one of the best tools for attracting new visitors. Recent studies have shown that when people relocate to a new area prior to arriving, or shortly thereafter, they seek out churches they would like to attend by searching on the internet. Having a web presence will allow these new arrivals a way to find you, see what you have to offer, get times & location of services, etc. A custom church website design attracts visitors even more if you make it truly reflect the quality of your ministry and your brand.

Have you ever printed hundreds of letters or flyers only to realize there was a typo, a wrong date, or a misspelled name? Your church website is the best communication medium because it is electronic. Information changes daily for a ministry. A meeting is postponed, someone moves and needs an address change, and there are new prayer requests. How do you keep information current and make sure people are informed? Since a website is digital it is quick to update. If your website has a content management system (CMS) behind it that to gives you total control over updating your pictures, text, etc. then it is extremely fast and easy for your staff to update it. People accessing your website get current info 1 second after your staff makes a change.

Your ministry website is also one of the top ways to engage the user and the culture. With the amount of time people are spending at work, the subdivision of communities, and the continuous running here and there, Americans are seeking new ways to build community. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, people are not just using the internet to socialize but as a means of seeking information, exchanging advice, and making decisions. The number of American internet users who rely on the internet for decision making has increased by one-third since 2002! Online ministries utilizing the internet have seen significant increases in users who have made decisions for Christ!

What does this mean for the average local church? “It’s important for the local churches to meet people online, as that’s where they are spending a significant amount of their time,“ advises Ministry Camp founder Dan Lee, who adds that an emphasis on interactivity is of the utmost importance. “People don’t just look at pages of information anymore. They watch videos, play games, use applications and communicate with friends. It’s especially important that local churches embrace the social elements of Web 2.0. Studies have shown that churches with interactive online communities are making congregants feel more involved and empowered to serve.†Your website can provide amazing interaction using audio, video, blogs, e-invitations, message boards, etc.

The impact of your ministry for God’s kingdom could be exponentially explosive! With the way people communicate today, websites can play an integral role. For ministries especially, they can connect not only with their members but also to their local community, shut-ins, college students, those abroad involved in missionary work or traveling, etc. The Gospel message and Christ centered teaching can be shared with practically everyone having a connection with the internet. Think of the global effect your ministry could have touching lives, ministering, evangelizing, helping other Christians grow towards Christ-likeness, and, also available for the seeker/searcher 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Explore Understanding Content Management, Importance of a Custom Website Design, Budgeting for a Website, Building a Website Team, Your Website and Branding

Envision Website Packages, Custom Church Website Design, Content Management, Featured Website Add-ons, Help & Support

Some info excerpted from: Church Solutions Magazine Sept. 07 Issue