What first impression do you want to leave with visitors to your website? Photo credit
Did you know that your church website is the digital front porch to your church?
To put it another way, your church website is one of the first impressions that your church leaves with your first-time visitors who are checking you out.
What first impression are you leaving?
Don’t think you aren’t because your website is leaving some kind of impression right now with a first time visitor. Every church website leaves an impression. Good, bad, bland, fun or welcoming.
One anomaly I’ve found since entering into church world is that churches will invest budget into facilities, AV, staffing, but next to zero budget into creating the best first impression possible for their primary audience (I’m fortunate to serve in a church that is prepared to invest in the digital space).
In pure marketing terms (don’t shoot me) many churches think they have a great ‘product’ but expect people to wade through the quick-sand of a poorly designed church website and still expect visitors to come along to the church on the Sunday.
Why would they do that?
Ask yourself this question Pastor – What kind of impression do I want to make with new visitor on my church website? (If you serve in communications ask your Pastor the same question, or email them this blog link and they can answer it directly)
How do you want people to feel?
What kind of information do you think a first time visitor needs to know? (Hint: It’s not your statement of belief or a photo of you)
What perceptions do you want to break?
Can they easily see or read what you have to say on their smart phone? (because that’s how they will most likely check you out) You can find out more on this post on why your Church needs to update it’s website in 2013. There are seven great examples that I found here.
Does your website do this? If not, what will you do today to change it?
