Today, when someone visits your church, it is likely they have already formed their first impression of your congregation from their online search. Congregations need to put their best foot forward on their web sites.
Here’s a list of questions to consider:
(This list was derived from our visits to 32 churches in the last 14 months.)
- Is service information easy to find?
It should be boldly displayed on the home page. - Is the service time correct?
Ten percent of the churches we visited had wrong times listed on their web sites. - Is parking available in a lot or on the street? What buses or trains are nearby?
Some congregations we visited had information printed in their church bulletin that parking was available at neighboring businesses. Too late! - Is the entrance they are to use obvious?
We had trouble figuring which door to use on occasion. - Is the phone number you want people to call prominently displayed?
Adding office hours and the name of the person likely to answer is also helpful. It puts a face on your community. For example: For more information about our services, call Lois at the church (555) 321-5432, weekdays between or 9 am and 1 pm. Our answering machine provides basic information 24/7. - Can web viewers ask questions online (email or Facebook) and be assured of an answer within 24 hours? People expect this these days!
- Is there a warm welcome from church leaders (clergy and lay) with photos and a little background?
Visitors will recognize leaders when they visit and have some information to ease conversation. You might even give visitors a prompt such as “When you visit, ask for Gus or Mary. They’ll be glad to give you a tour.” - Is there a date for the last update of the site?
Many sites we visited had not been updated in years, even listing pastors who had left long before. Timely updates reveal that your church is on their toes. - Is new information prominent with older information archived?
Old information is fun and can show your congregation’s personality, but the first images and information should be about the immediate future or very recent past. - Is there time for fellowship before church or after church?
If visitors want to mix and meet your members they need to know if they should arrive early or plan to stay later. Invite them to fellowship. At several of the churches we visited, the congregation disappeared quickly after worship to a side room or basement area for fellowship without announcing fellowship or inviting visitors. - How long is your service expected to be?
We encountered several services that were two or three hours long. Visitors need to know if a service is expected to be more than an hour long. - Is your service contemporary, liturgical, multicultural, or multilingual?
- Are there helpful details about your next service?
Will communion be offered? Is it a special Sunday? Will there be a blessing of pets or a baptism/confirmation? One church we visited was having a special meeting to call a pastor. Our visit seemed intrusive and we left. - Is child care available?
Not everyone is comfortable leaving a child in a nursery with people they don’t know. Will their children be welcome in worship? - Will there be a children’s sermon?
Families may like to know. - Engage your potential visitors from the start.
Give a teaser. Ask a question that will be answered in the sermon!
18 Oct 2011
