This document provides guidance on creating an effective church website that engages both visitors and members. It outlines strategies for optimizing the website URL, utilizing members to promote the site, keeping the site simple, creating a strong first impression, clearly communicating basic information for visitors, introducing the pastor, including essential elements like worship times and location, and giving a clear invitation. It also discusses ways to engage members by giving them exclusive access, sharing relevant content, encouraging participation in groups, and personalizing mass communications. The overall message is that an effective church website needs to have a clear audience and purpose in its communication.

1. More than an
Online Bulletin Board
Creating an Engaging Church Website

3. Peter Frank
Manager,
Concordia Technology
Solutions
peter.frank@cph.org
(314) 268-1408

4. 1904 World’s Fair

5. Developing software for
churches since 1984

6. “…The word of the Lord
remains forever.”
1 Peter 1:25 ESV

7. While the message
remains the same,
the communication
methods have changed.

8. Communication revolves around
two things*:
Audience Message
* Mediums factor in later

9. Who is your audience?
Why are you communicating?
What do you want them to do?

10. The who, why, and what
of communication
must be decided
before the
where and when.

11. Does this
look
familiar?

12. Why bulletin boards
are not effective:
1. The audience is everyone
2. The purpose is unclear
3. The message is everything

13. Why some church websites
are not effective:
1. The audience is everyone
2. The purpose is unclear
3. The message is everything

14. Effective Communication
Checklist
 Identify the audience
 Define the purpose
 Focus the message

15. Who is the audience for
your church website?
Visitor Members
The Lost
Family Member
Church Shopper
Event Visitor
Staff
Students
Active Members
Parents
Ministry Leaders
Homebound

16. Purpose = Goal of Audience
The Lost
Family Member
Church Shopper
Event Visitor
I am visiting this website because I want to…
…learn about the church, what they believe, when
they worship, and what their worship service is like
…learn about the church, what they believe,
and why it matters to me
…know where the church is, what time the
service starts, and where I should park
…know where the church is, what time the
event starts, and where I should park

17. Focus the Content
Visitor Members
• Address / Directions
• Worship Times
• Beliefs
• Building Information
• Public Events
• Church Staff
• Member Directory
• Prayer Requests
• News & Announcements
• Calendar
• Ministry Pages
• Documents

18. 9 Strategies for
Engaging Visitors

19. 1. Optimize Your URL

20. Common Strategies
Including the full name:
www.christcommunitychurchbakersville.org
Keeping it short with initials:
www.cccb.org
Using a creative phrase or tagline:
www.livingchristslove.org

21. Recommended Strategy
Exclude:
The denomination or affiliation
The word “church”
www.christbakersville.org
Promote it as:
ChristBakersville.org

22. 2. Make Your URL Known

23. Include it on:
Bulletins
Newsletters
Business Cards
Letterhead
Outdoor Signs
Flyers and Posters
T-Shirts

24. Put it in place of your phone number
Use it to announce special events
“Learn more about our Easter services at
ChristBakersville.org/Easter”
Talk about it frequently
Make your members aware
Put it in their vocabulary

25. 3. Utilize Your Members

26. Share events on social media
Ensure every event or story has a site page
Encourage members to “Share” or “Retweet”
Create a badge for other websites
Windows clings or other car decals
Take feedback surveys
How familiar are your members with your site?

27. 4. Keep it Simple

28. Minimize the number of clicks
Flat site structure, not necessarily fewer pages
Make most important information prominent
Avoid scrolling
Minimize the amount of text
Use images wisely
Utilize page anchors if necessary

29. Minimize the clutter
Always ask yourself “Does this support our goals
or distract from the main point?”
Don’t be afraid of white space
Limit hovering
Make sure all navigations are clickable
Think mobile

30. 5. Create a Strong
First Impression

31. Add an “I’m New Page”
Use 2nd person writing
Show a Welcome Video
Show real people
Feature pastor
Keep info update
Focus on what’s new
Write it for the visitor

32. 6.

33. Display basics clearly and concisely
Where is the church located?
What are the service times?
When is Sunday School and Bible study?
State what your church believes
Summarize your doctrine
Explain your worship practices

34. Tell visitors where to go
Where should they park?
What entrance should they use?
Where in the building should they go?
Show them what it will be like
Display a virtual tour of the building
Show how people dress

35. 7. Introduce Your Pastor

36. Provide info about pastor and staff
Provide sermon samples
Audio or Video
Full Text
It’s not about the pastor,
it’s about the visitor

37. 8. Don’t Forget the Basics

38. “The church website just needs to show the worship
times and the church’s address; nothing else is
really that important.”
Church Name and Location
Worship Times
Changes to Calendar

39. 9. Give a Clear Invitation

40. Worship Services
“We invite you to worship with us this Sunday.”
Christian Education
“See you at Sunday School, starting Sunday at 9:00.”
Fellowship Events
“Join us for fellowship at the BBQ this Saturday.”
Service Opportunities
“Sign up to help at our soup kitchen Monday night.”

41. 5 Ways to
Engage Members
with Your Website

42. 1. Give Exclusive Access
to Members

43. Update Contact Information
Email Address
Phone Numbers
Address
View Member Directory
Including Pictures
View Protected Pages

44. 2. Share Relevant and
Timely Content

45. Sermons
News and Announcements
Prayer Requests
Community Care Requests

46. 3. Encourage Participation
in Groups

47. Small Groups and Bible Studies
Ministry Teams
Music Ministries
Church Boards

48. 4. Display the
Church Calendar

49. Separate Public and Private Calendars
Share Calendar Management

50. 5. Personalize Mass
Communication

51. Mailing Lists
Event Reminders
Group Notifications

52. Core
All-in-one website builder that
gives you to the tools to unite
your online communication.

53. Online Communications
Website Blog Member Hub
File Sharing Calendar Mass Email

54. Core
Peter Frank
peter.frank@cph.org
(314) 268-1408
Software Sales
softwaresales@cts.cph.org
(800) 325-2399

55. Core
Start Your Free 30-Day Trial at
360Unite.com

56. Core
Order by February 29, 2016
and save $199
Church360.org/Sale

57. Core
Subscribe to our blog for more tips and tricks
about using technology in your ministry.
www.ConcordiaTechnology.org
/Blog

58. Core
Download the free ebook
9 Strategies for Engaging Visitors
with Your Church Website
www.ConcordiaTechnology.org
/BulletinBoard