Decide what and when to launch. There are at least four different church website launching designs. Each having its own purpose:
1) The Coming Soon page - This is also sometimes called a splash page. It is a simple one page site that announces activities or events that will be happening involving the church. These are good when fliers or mailers have been issued with the church website address included. for visit to:-www.instant-website-security.com If this is the type of church web design you choose, make sure you include information such as a developers' update, a podcast or some type of countdown.
2) A Soft Launch - This is useful when designing your church website to get feedback from others. It is intended not to be announced except to a chosen few. After a few days, check back with these individuals to see what they think and if they have any other ideas. It also serves as a test for the church website for ones whom have sought out the site on their own.
3) Beta Launch - This is another type of soft launch. It allows people to seek it out while at the same time informing them that it is a work in progress. These are great additions to the already established church website design. They are usually used with online service or web application rather than a blogging site or organizational site for general information. However if you are looking for a church website design for a social network, small group finder, or other organization service to run parallel to a main site, then this would be what you are looking for.
4) A Hard Launch - Unlike the other 3 types we have discussed, this one should be considered the "unveiling" of your new church website. It should be fully tested, loaded with content and information and ready to be consumed by search engines, for visit to:-www.instant-squeeze-page-mastery.com church leaders in the area and the general public.
The content of you church This would include pertinent information such as your street address, affiliation or denomination, phone numbers, office hours, service times including length and location, style of worship and any information about teaching or dress.
Make sure you check your church web design for browser compatibility. They should function correctly in major browsers and should be checked frequently during the development of the site. They should pass the test with each of the 6 major browsers: Internet Explorer 6 & 7, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Chrome.
Get someone else to look over the church website design. After several weeks of a working on a website, the developer begins looking at it as a bunch of codes or just a style. A fresh pair of eyes will give you, as the developer, a new outlook on how the design is working. Try getting someone who has never seen the site before to take a look at it. You will be amazed at the information you can get from a new pair of eyes.
1) Surf your church web designer's website. If you have been referred to a church web designer and said web designer does not even have a web site, stop right there, back away from the computer for a moment and consider this fact. The very first thing a church web designer should have is a web site, and preferably one that they created themselves. So find a church web designer that has a website and take a good look at it. A church web designer may have a completely different website than you want, but that's ok because their website is designed for a web designer and chances are, you're not a web designer and may need something different...they know that. The point is to look for three universal things that make up a good web design: a) Usability: is it easy to navigate? Were you able to find the links you needed right away? Or did you go on a scavenger hunt and left without a prize? b) "The Clutter-Factor": How organized is the website? Is it visually appealing? Or do you have to look away feeling the affects of sensory overload as if you just walked onto the set of a Beatles music video circa 1967? (this is asking if the site feels chaotic). c) Aesthetic: Much of the aesthetic of a website is psychologically based. So how do you feel upon seeing the color scheme, the graphics, the effects? Are you left wanting to see something a little more creative?
A church web designer's website should exemplify their services and give you a good indication of their knowledge of web design. If you're looking at a church web designer's site that doesn't meet the above criteria you may want to look somewhere else. I'm not saying a church web designer who doesn't meet those three points couldn't design a great website for you, but their site should be the first point of reference for their potential clients just as your website will be for your potential visitors. See how that works?
2) Technophile and Creative: Your church web designer should be both web savvy as well as creative. It's a hard balance for some to achieve but great web designers typically seem to be amazingly both left-brained and right. You want your church web designer to know the ins and outs of all that technical stuff that makes your head spin but also have an artistic sensibility that allows them to create a website that suits you in both the visual aspect as well as usability.
3) Can your church web designer offer suggestions? You have some ideas for your site, sure, but maybe it's not really your area of expertise. You just know you want a church website that brings traffic. A good church web designer should be able to give you suggestions rather than just doing exactly as you say. If it's not your area of expertise, it's likely that a church web designer can provide some insight and knowledge that you don't readily have. Now, if you want a professional looking church website but they come up with a pink background with green polka dots then they aren't listening to you or hey don't know what "professional" means. It's their job to create your vision but also to make it the best it can be so that you look your best as well.
4) The Functionality Aspect: Look for a church web designer who can provide the functionality you need. Do you need or want flash? Do you have need of an e-mail newsletter sign-up? Do you have products to sell? Do you want a forum or a blog? Contact forms? Photo galleries? Webcasts? If you need or want these things be sure your church web designer can provide them for you before you sign anything or shell out any money.
5) You Get What You Pay For: If you hire a church web designer based solely on the fact that they are the cheapest around, well, then you may as well just walk over to your fireplace, light a log and throw your money in. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is certainly true in the world of web design. On the flip-side, there are also only so many bells and whistles you can put on a church website so don't go the other way and assume that the more expensive a church web designer is the better website you'll get. Just find one that meets the criteria in the article that is within your budget and you should be good to go.
Follow these 5 Tips for hiring a church website designer and you should come out with a fabulous website that puts your church on the map and starts driving that coveted traffic.
Both Sonu Soni & Lynne Gabriel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sonu Soni has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Web Development and Marketing. . Sonu Soni's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.
Lynne Gabriel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Web Development. Lynne Gabriel is the owner of TheChurchWebsiteDesigners.com - a company based in Houston, TX. TheChurchWebsiteDesigners.com build visu. Lynne Gabriel's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.