Reasons why you should redesign your Faith Based Website?
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
Faith based websites are a niche of mine. I have designed many on line presence for faith based organization. Typically when I am introduced to a faith based organization, 5 potential problem area are address. Address and service time, donation/tithing button, audio and/or video sermon, chat capability with pastor or pastor staff, and introduction to new members.
The days of having a flock of baby boomers (folks born between 1946 – 1964), which means folks between the ages of 55 and 73, is not with regards to long term growth. Generation X, or folks born between 1964 – 1980 which means individual between the age of 39 – 55 is a good starting point for long term growth. Then we have the Millennial or Generation Y, which were born between 1980 – 2000, which are between the ages of 19 – 39.
Generation X and Millennial are created differently. They have cell phones, computers, laptops, and utilize technology to get things done. Making faith based organization realize that while baby boomers are an important target audience, the true target audience is generation X and millennial.
So how do you drive generation x and millennial to your organization…
Address and Service Time
Faith based organization have to realize that generation x and millennial use their cell phones for everything. If they are looking for somewhere to worship, then they are going to pull up the nearest faith based organization. If your site is not responsive, then chances are you have lost a potential member.
Another issue is not having your address and services time in the first section on the home page. PLEASE DO NOT PUT IT IN THE FOOTER!!! And expect a visitors to scrolled down the bottom to find you, again another lost visitors.
Donation/Tithing Button
Nothing more frustrating then having to search for the donation or tithing button. Or worst, you locate the button and have to go through multiple steps just to donate or tithe. Giving should come from the heart, and nothing should make helping your fellow man difficult.
Most faith based organization will use a third party software, which is fine. However, if your target audience has to negotiate through more than three clicks, then you are losing another potential member and donation or tithe.
Audio and/or Video Sermon
Generation X and millennial have grown up using Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They are use to seeing video and audio. Many generation x and millennial work very strange hours. Many might want to hear your message, and not live in a remote location. Some have a crazy travel schedule, and still are seeking inspirational messages.
Having audio and/or video sermon (homily) is critical to generation x and millennial. While this is a new ministry to some faith based organization. This is not new to generation x and millennial, who have probably been requesting it. Empower them to head up this ministry, you will be surprised at how much they understand their peers.
Chat capability with Pastor or Pastor Staff
Generally speaking, no faith based organization can be on call 24 hours, and 7 days a week. Most crisis occur after 5:00pm or before 8:00am. The ability to go to your website and speak to your pastor or someone on your pastor staff is such a wonderful tool to generation x and millennial. While this service is general not an easy fix, there are several solutions available for most faith based organization.
These solutions can offer inspiration, motivation, and (just) words of encouragement to your flock. While providing a faith based organization some information about a upcoming situation.
New Member Forms
Why most faith based organization wait to approach someone new about all the ministries available? Why you think just because I work at a bank, that I want to be on the financial committee…my passion might be to video the sermon. Maybe to post relevant items on our social media platforms.
Having a form, which identifies what are your new member’s interest is so important. Not only does it begin the foundation of ownership for them…it allows a new perspective and growth to occur.
Conclusion
Having worked with faith based organization on a daily basis, I would love to review your site and give you a complimentary review.
Image courtesy of Samantha Sophia.
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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