Media Outreach

Once the site is designed relevantly, navigates easily, encourages interaction, and works properly, a church is set up to have a site that is ready for users to enjoy moving through and finding information about the church.

Content

In order to create information that will then lead to the user visiting the church or at least learning more of the Gospel, a church must look to its content. Key elements to present in the content include:

• Information about the pastor as well as member testimonials - This puts a face to the church and makes the user feel like they can relate.
• Contact information – Be sure to include the church name, contact name, phone number, email address, and mailing/physical address.
• Easy-to-print directions, maybe even with a map - This information should never be cryptic or hard to find. After all, the whole point is to get them to the church.
• Service times – visitors aren’t likely to visit if they can’t figure out what time to show up.

Other good information to have is a section about what to expect at the service. With so many different denominations out there, it is important to let visitors know what kind of church they would be visiting. It is an awful feeling to show up at a formal service is casual clothes, and it is equally uncomfortable to arrive in Sunday’s Best only to find the pastor wearing shorts.

Situations like this do not encourage a second visit, so head them off by being honest about:

• Dress style
• Type of worship
• The church’s beliefs
• Anything else that will set the visitor’s mind at ease

Another good thing to include is information about salvation. A church should keep in mind that although church growth and new members are important, the ultimate goal is to spread the Gospel. Even if a visitor to the site decides not to visit the church, at least they can gain information about God’s love and forgiveness and the reality they face if they choose to walk away from Him.

Over the past few months, we have been sharing with you how to create a good website geared towards Outreach. Please let us know how your site has helped you achieve your outreach goals by emailing us at feedback@faithhighway.com or by leaving a comment. If you would like additional information on this subject, download our free white paper with extended feedback from pastors and ministry leaders, more tips on creating a good website, and information about what churches nation-wide have found to be effective tools in achieving their online goals.