Already have a site?

That’s great! Ask these questions to ascertain whether it is being used to its fullest potential.

• Is it regularly updated? Potential church visitors can come to believe that if no one cares for the website, no one will care for them or the church’s ministry.
• Is it too dense or shallow? Internet users do not spend much time on a page. Make sure you clearly communicate your message.
• Is it too flashy? Does it have more bells and whistles than ministry opportunities?
• Is it navigable? Can a user, who has never seen the site before easily find what they’re looking for?
• Does it build community? Do church members know about the site? Do they use it? Are members willing to give out the URL to others? A site will not get much use if it is invisible and unknown.
• Is it easy to update? You should not have to retain a Webmaster on staff or get frustrated in trying to keep the site current. Yet, outdated content can relay a negative perception to visitors that if your church doesn’t care about their site, will they care about them?
• Do you pray about your site? Carefully pray about the content placed there and pray that God can use it to reach others, much like you may pray about other ministries. This is not something to be rushed.
• Does your site accurately reflect your church? Are you sending the message you want to send? Are you able to authentically communicate your beliefs and values in a way that non-members would easily understand?

Bridge Vision can help design your church’s site in an affordable and professional way that is easy to manage and update. Simple, yet crucial, design principles can assist in communicating your church’s identity to those who are considering visiting. A positive perception of the website will go a long way in creating a positive perception of the church as a whole.