This deck was shared on Thursday, July 27, 2017 as the ninth live training session in the Church Online Communications Comprehensive, a 14-week online training course.

1. BUILDING A GREAT WEBSITE FOR
CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS
Session Nine
Church Online Communications Comprehensive
How can our website help us communicate?

2. OUTLINE
My First Church Website
Timeless Truths
Timely Trends
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3. MY FIRST CHURCH WEBSITE
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4. BEST PRACTICES FOR CHURCH WEBSITE DESIGN
Timeless Truths
As valid today as they were 16 years ago.
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5. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#1. Focus on Your Audience
As in any form of communication,
if you don't care about your audience,
they won't care about you.
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6. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#2. Keep Your Navigation Simple
The path to information on your website
should be clear, easy to follow, and
supportive of your church goals.
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7. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#3. Build It Strategically
A website without a plan is barely better
than no website at all.
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8. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#4. Prefer Images over Text
Images will draw people in;
too much text will push people away.
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9. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#5. Prefer Timeliness over Design
An ugly-looking website with current
information is always better than a
pretty website with old news.
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10. TIMELESS TRUTHS
#6. Remember the Low Barrier to Entry
It's always been inexpensive to get started,
but the tools are even better now.
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11. BEST PRACTICES FOR CHURCH WEBSITE DESIGN
Timely Trends
Addressing the needs and technology of today.
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12. TIMELY TRENDS
#1. Optimize for Search Engines
The potential traffic for your website
from search engines is far greater than
any other acquisition source.
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13. TIMELY TRENDS
#2. Make it Mobile Compatible
More people will visit your website
on their phone than on their desktop.
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14. TIMELY TRENDS
#3. Contextualize for Your Audience
One-size fits all has never been ideal.
Now it's no longer necessary.
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15. TIMELY TRENDS
#4. Make Your Content Shareable
You've put a lot of time into creating content;
allowing others to share it has never been easier.
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16. TIMELY TRENDS
#5. Prioritize Video
Consumption of video content is greater
than ever before (and it's only growing).
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17. TIMELY TRENDS
#6. Utilize Conversion Actions
Your website is not just a billboard;
use it to move your audience further along
your journey map and closer to your goals.
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18. TIMELESS TRUTHS
1. Focus on Your Audience
2. Keep Your Navigation Simple
3. Build It Strategically
4. Prefer Images over Text
5. Prefer Timeliness over Design
6. Remember the Low Barrier to Entry
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19. TIMELY TRENDS
1. Optimize for Search Engines
2. Make it Mobile Compatible
3. Contextualize for Your Audience
4. Make Your Content Shareable
5. Prioritize Video
6. Utilize Conversion Actions
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20. BLOG
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ConcordiaTechnology.org/Blog

21. FREE DOWNLOAD
Timeless Truths and Timely Trends of Church Website Design
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22. FACEBOOK GROUP
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/groups/ChurchOnlineCommunicationsComprehensive/

23. NEXT LIVE TRAINING SESSION
Establishing a Communication Hub
for Your Church
Next Thursday, August 3rd at 11:30 a.m. CDT
/ConcordiaTechnology
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24. SCHEDULE
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Aug 3 | Establishing a Communication Hub for Your Church
Aug 10 | Utilizing Social Media in the Church to the Fullest
Aug 17 | Understanding Search Engine Optimization
Aug 24 | Saving Time in Your Online Communications
Aug 31 | Sharing Excitement about Your Communication Strategy

25. CONTACT
Peter Frank
peter.frank@cph.org
peterfrank235
(314) 268-1408
27Church Online Communications Comprehensive