One of the first words that might come to mind with the thought of creating your church website design is, overwhelming. The possibilities seem to be endless and they are. The thing is, is that the endless possibilities are the problem and the solution all at the same time.

We’ve lined up five simple but very key elements that will help you stay engaging, efficient and user friendly. Balance should always be a top priority and a great rule of thumb is to always begin with the end in mind.

#1 Research…then build.

It’s completely acceptable to do a bit of a comparison on what’s working with other local church websites or what’s not. The church is one body and the purpose here is not to view another church as the competition. We share a collective mission. The goal is to see what design choices are working for other churches and take note of what may potentially help your church connect better with it’s current members and invite new ones.

After identifying some well known churches in your region that have a significant digital footprint…be thorough with your recon.

What’s functional and efficient? (information layout, site speed, form integration, social network access etc.)

What’s engaging? (parallax effects, graphic elements, use of imagery, video integration, interactive content, etc.)

It won’t take long to also identify what you like, and what you don’t like. This you will help you establish a great starting point you the design of your church website.

#2 Content really is king.

It’s kind of a cliché term at this point but it’s still true…content is king. More specifically video content is the new king! While this is true and video will likely be one of your most distributed types of content – it shouldn’t be the only focus.

Content is not just about the text you put on your pages - it involves several types of media and to be most effective you should work to create balance in your distribution strategy. We mentioned a few different ways to approach your content strategy in, “Don't be dressed with no place to go!”

Bottom line – you should always think quality first and know what your audience wants and what they are responding to. How do you do that? See #1 above

#3 Navigation made easy.

Navigation should not only be easy – it should be very easy. This doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with your navigation but it’s typically not the place to go all out with the creative juices. You want it to clear, consistent and specific.

You want to keep the placement of your navigation consistent across your site. For instance, if your homepage navigation is horizontal across the top, you don’t want to move it to being vertical side navigation on another page. Not keeping consistency can cause frustration for users. You also want to speak clearly and keep a consistent “voice.” If your “About Us” navigation links to a page that’s titled, “This is who we are at ABC Church!” then you may be diminishing user experience.

Some of these things seem small but they all contribute to that warm and fuzzy feeling you want visitors to have and keep while they are visiting your site. The less they have to focus on figuring out where they are going…the more they can focus on your content.

#4 Keep it mobile-friendly.

Have you ever looked at a site on your mobile device and the layout seemed broken and the text was too small to read? That’s because it was not responsive. If you don't have a mobile responsive site these days or you're not planning on updating to one, then you might as well pack it up. We are nearing the point where not having a responsive design is really not an option.

Over 80% of web traffic today starts on some type of mobile device. A responsive website uses code that shrinks, grows and re-orders content for the viewer based on the device it’s being viewed on. A responsive website not only helps users view your website; it also increases engagement, connection and conversion.

#5 Blog, share, connect, repeat.

Your blog and social media platforms are some of your most powerful resources and avenues of connection. This is especially true with today’s, “always connected” generation. Many church websites and websites in general for that matter, fall into neglecting these media channels.

It is one of the essential keys to expanding your reach and investing some time and energy into this can really opens some doors for your ministry. It doesn’t take much but the more you know and can put into this form of connection…the greater your potential reach to connect, engage, empower, encourage and share God’s love within and beyond your local community.

If you did find some useful value, please comment below and don’t forget to share this post!

The post 5 Key Design Elements of Successful Church Websites appeared first on Design on Target.

It's time to EAT!

When it comes to RSS (Really Simple Syndicate) Feeds, I’d say “feed” is a most appropriate term. You are hungry for visibility which results in conversions,  revenue, visitors, new members and increased reach. Who isn’t hungry for some of that?! Well, your visitors are hungry for content. So how do these three terms satisfy all the hunger? Let’s take a look.

 Semantics and SEO

In her article, “How Google's Semantic Search Will Change SEO” - Erin Everhart describes Semantics as using, “…artificial intelligence in order to understand the searcher’s intent and the meaning of the query rather than parsing through keywords like a dictionary.” This is a simple straightforward way to start thinking about Semantics.

It’s important not to get bogged down just yet in the logistics of how to strategically create semantic content. We can tackle that later. For now our goal is to gain a general understanding of what it is and its function.

Let’s keep it simple. Semantic connectivity is the relationship factor between keywords and phrases that a user is typing in to conduct a search. In the old days (a few years ago) one of the main focuses and strategies was on using direct key words to create a connection between the content and the user. The Search Engine would crawl and return content based on those exact keywords.

Today with advancing technology, companies like Google can use tools that search content based on the connection of words and phrases to help put a user in front of relative and desired content. This is very powerful. In the past, a search term like “Top places to eat great BBQ” might have broken the Search Engine! Well, maybe it wouldn’t have broken it literally but it likely wouldn’t have given you what you were looking for. It would have returned results based on the exact words you typed in – kind of like a dictionary. These days, the search engine is able to use algorithms that assess the relativity and connection of the words and return the relative content that you are looking for.

By now you should be starting to grasp the power behind semantics. For a slightly more in depth look at the process, take a look at Sergio Redondo’s, “SEO 101: What is Semantic Search and Why Should I Care?”

Developing a strategy can be involved but now that we have a basic understanding, let’s move on to the next dish…

Social Media and Sharing

Social media and sharing simply put is being a part of an online community or social network and the use of tools that allow the sharing of media and content between community members.

Even if you have been hiding under a rock for most of the last decade or two… you've likely used (or at least know of) several of the social media tools and websites that exist today. Social media and online connection has been growing even in "non-tech-savvy" circles.

In studies that take a look at those who might be considered “Digital Immigrants” or non-tech-savvy – a consistent annual increase is shown in the use of social media sites. My dad who is in his 70’s has a difficult time bringing himself to use text messages to communicate just out of preference. He is a, “Digital Immigrant” but even he has a Facebook account that stays up to date. He even knows how to like, share and follow!

In today’s younger generation, it's no secret that social media usage is off the charts. You can take a look at some interesting stats presented in this collaborative Pew Research Center article about Social Media Usage.

That being said, you can see the power behind Social Media Sharing and using it in developing online content or marketing strategies.

Now for desert!

Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

If you are unfamiliar with RSS Feeds, it is probably the easiest of the three concepts presented in the article to grasp and start implementing.

Essentially taking online content (such as this article) and making it available via RSS allows other users to connect to that content instantly and be notified of changes or new content as it is published. The beauty of RSS is that it also cuts down on and save a user time which these days, is truly a hot commodity.

This is accomplished using an RSS reader. One of my favorite feed readers is the Feedly reader. A feed reader creates an environment that allows a user to subscribe to a website’s blog or article content via its RSS Feed via a link or little button with a universal “RSS” symbol. Typically when clicked, it will present the user with a page of code - some applications will allow an instant one-click subscription. If presented with the code for the RSS, the next step would be to copy the URL in the address bar on this page of code into the RSS reader application.

Somewhere in the application there will be a place to add the URLs of the feeds you want to subscribe to. In Feedly, you simply paste the link into an input box and you are good to go:

You can keep adding feeds and this is where you can keep track of your favorite content all in one place. It’s powerful for users who want to keep track of new content and stay connected while saving time.

You’ve been served!

I hope you enjoyed this brief three-course explanation of few tools that help can maximize your efforts. If you found any of this information to be of value to you…

Please share and remember…don’t go hungry – subscribe to our RSS Feed!

The post RSS, Semantics and Social Sharing – “Feed me Seymour!” appeared first on Design on Target.

In today’s society it’s safe to say most American’s share an, “always connected” mentality. In fact Pew Research reveals that 92% of adults in the U.S. own some type of mobile phone and a whopping 90% of them frequently keep their phone with them. Nearly half of all mobile users say they rarely or never, turn their cell phone off. Most of you reading this are likely not surprised.

Even for those of us who were around before the cell phone – it’s easy to forget what life was like when the closest thing we had to a mobile call happened inside of a telephone booth.

So what does the revolution of mobile technology mean for the church? Depending on which generation you belong to you may already be against mobile technology in the church or absolutely for it.

In either case, please allow us to offer you just a few points – five to be exact – that may show mobile technologies positive impact on the church.

#1 Site for Sore Eyes

Using a mobile device during church is even more frowned upon than it is during a movie. In fact, 96% of Americans view mobile device use as unacceptable during religious services as opposed to 95% during movies. However, adding a bit of perspective to that question yields a very different result.

If you throw in a variable like using a tablet to follow along with scripture reading, then you might get a response that starts with something more like, “Oh, well in that case…”

That’s exactly what an AT&T Research Survey revealed. When the use of mobile technology falls inline with advancing the message and connecting with the ministry, the previously mentioned 96% is reduced by nearly half.

Mobile technology and apps like YouVersion make scripture access and note taking - fast, efficient and beneficial in many ways beyond just being convenient. For many reading from a mobile device is easer on the eyes and can be adjusted to the users needs.

#2 The Digital Natives are Restless

Many churches are finding it difficult to bring Millennials into the church and keep them there consistently. There are others that are finding the various keys to growing and connecting with these 18 – 30ish members of their organization. There are several keys to reaching this community with three of those main factors being:

Music that is rich in content - This is not so much focused on style – that’s another story and an important one as well. But, the greater focus for this group is on the meaning behind the worship and their connection to it.

Authenticity in worship - Millennials have an uncanny ability to see through a “performance” and will readily reject worship or teaching that they perceive to be less than genuine or for show.

Quality worship and preparation – a large generation that is ready for a pastor and worship team that is prepared. They want leadership that will put time into quality teaching and authentic worship. (Rainer)

Separate articles can be written on each of those three ideas. From a mobile technology perspective it’s all about creating access and a connection to the above. Having the ability connect to that authentic message and worship through mobile media and then take it a step further and share it in real time on the social network is a game changer.

The millennial generation makes up the largest group of users in both regards so you might imagine the power mobile technology has here when used effectively and most importantly – with a spirit filled and authentic message

#3 Point, Click, Give

The third and final point on this topic today is the power behind online giving and tithing and optimizing your platforms for mobile.

Recent stats show that online giving is steadily increasing in general but more specifically for churches – approximately 49% of all church giving transactions are made with a card and 60% of the church reports a willingness to give digitally. (N|P Source)

A large part of how effectively this is implemented in your church or organization will come down to the platforms you use, how user friendly and easy the process is and how accessible you make it.

The truth of the matter is that many members of the church would give more if the process was more accessible and could be done easily and from a mobile device.

Well, that does it for the mobile round up quick tips for today. We hope you found some value in this article. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us or request a quote.

If you found any value in the information, please comment below and don’t forget to share this post.

The post 3 Reasons to Embrace the use of Mobile Devices in Church appeared first on Design on Target.

Get up, get out and do something!

Imagine the time it takes to get ready for a major event - one that calls for a tuxedo. If you’re like me you may even pull out the badger haired brush, some shave oil and a straight edge razor. What can I say - I’m a classic kind of guy. As for my other half…I won’t even get into the amount of time she takes to get ready... however the only thing you will hear come out of my mouth is, "Babe, you look amazing!"  One thing I have learned over the years is how to keep the peace. Can I get an Amen!

The point is, you’re not going to spend all that time getting ready just to sit at home on the couch.

Why would you treat your organization any different? There are ministries that have put their time, talent and resources into having an amazing website but their online presence is sitting at home right now watching TV in a tux!

You can have the best product and service in the world with the most dynamic content known to man, but if you can’t be found then what’s the point?

Here are a few quick tips that can help you gain visibility and increase the strength of your church's online presence.

Tip #1 – Let’s be Social

This is all about Social Media Sharing. Earlier this month we published an article that discusses RSS Feeds, Semantics and Social Media. It has some more information you might find useful in this area. I’d suggest taking a look once you are done here.

To keep it simple, Social Media is being a participant in online networks that allow you to interact with others, share and exchange information. Some of the most popular, are communities like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You’d be amazed at how dedicating just a couple hours per week to connect with people, can positively impact your ministry.

In “How to Tap the Power of Social Media to Forge Customer Loyalty”, Brett Relander talks about how effective Social Media can be in forging customer relationships. Social media is one of the most powerful tools you can use today.

Tip #2 – Be a Content King..or Queen

In his Forbes article, Mike Templeman effectively defines Content Marketing as, “… the act of a company, business, or organization producing and promoting informative content to engage and interact with their target audience.” It’s true that content marketing has been defined in so many ways. Templeman’s article takes a look at a more accurate definition of the term. When you have a minute go over to Forbes.com and read, “Content Marketing Doesn't Work.”

Our theme here is to keep it simple and in doing so let’s talk briefly about what it is and the impact that Content Marketing can have on your business.

Content marketing is not tied down to one type of platform or media. It can be almost anything. The gist is to create various types of quality content and market that content by way of distribution through various channels. It has to be engaging to your intended audience. Content Marketing can become a science and it is crucial to have a strategy. One of the most popular content strategies involves the use of video. Ever seen a video go viral? Sure you have and it was likely a Content Marketing strategy.

Here's just a few forms of content marketing:

• Blogs
• Videos
• Quizzes
• Infographics
• Online Surveys
• Email Newsletters
• Slide Presentations

…the possibilities are almost endless.

One of the most important things to remember is that whatever type of content you are producing, you must make quality count. The better the quality is the more effective it will be – not to mention, valuable to the recipient. It’s better to take more time creating it than trying to push out less than stellar work hoping for a quick return. Investing time and being methodical will always prove better in the long run.

Tip #3 – Follow the “Knows” it always “Knows”

If you “know” anything about anything you will “know” what’s popular – “know” what I mean? I’m sure you are getting the point here.

You have go to know what people want to know. In other words – what are the current trends in your industry or even outside trends that you can find a way to relate to your industry? It’s possible to take a current trend that is generally unrelated and find some key point that allows you to create relative content that links back to you.

Knowing what trends are out there is a powerful weapon to have in your marketing arsenal. Just by taking the first two tips you will see that trending could help in creating an effective content campaign or chiming in on the current social media buzz with some of your own original content.

Knowing trends will give you an all around advantage in almost any marketing approach you use. So you need to know – what people need to know. A great place to start with this is by going to Google Trends. Follow the knows.

If you got some useful value out of this information, please comment below and don’t forget to share this post!

The post Market Your Website: Don’t be dressed up with no place to go! appeared first on Design on Target.

WordPress has definitely been the gentle giant CMS for of all types of organizations - including churches – who want an affordable and efficient website. The word “gentle” in no way means lacking in power; it’s only to say that somehow, WordPress quietly flies in under the radar of many people.

By taking a closer look and unpacking the facts, you can see for yourself that WordPress is the most powerful and sought after platform on the market…and for great reason.

By the Numbers

Of all the websites that are built using a CMS (Content Management System) 60% are built on the WordPress. That also equates to over 29% of all websites globally being built on the WordPress platform – over 17 million in total.

WordPress is not only the most used – it dominates as a CMS. (CMS Usage)

We don’t want to drown you in all of the stats – after all, the infographic below is an awesome visual representation of just how powerful a resource WordPress is and the organization behind it.

Platform Scalability

Efficiency

WordPress is incredibly efficient. It is updated regularly to keep up with web trends, emerging technology and web code standards. It is true that hackers have targeted WordPress in the past.

Some may see this as a drawback but the reality, is that these past events only reinforced the security of the CMS. Security breaches today are usually due to improper coding by a hired developer, the use of outdated extensions or not keeping your WordPress install up to date.

Using the right Premium Theme or finding the right Custom WordPress Developer will help ensure that your site is built with security in mind. If you keep your install up to date and extensions current then your headed in the right direction.

Extensibility

WordPress is the most extensible CMS on the market. Nearly 43,000 available plugins make the capabilities virtually endless. What this means for your church is being able to integrate functionalities that are vital to the ministry; online giving and tithing, live streaming, video libraries and image galleries, social media networks and the list goes on.

WordPress for Your Ministry

Because WordPress is free and open source as a base platform it offers you full control. If you are using a premium theme or third party template it’s important to understand the technical specs of a theme before making a selection. If you are seeking custom site development choosing the right developer is crucial.

Design on Target specializes in Full Custom WordPress Design for Churches, Ministries and Non-Profit Organizations. We can also assist with theme selections, customization and complete build-outs if you decide to go that route. Either way, security and efficiency are always kept in the forefront of development.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us or request a quote.

If you found any value in the information, please comment below and don’t forget to share this post.

Presented by Skilled.co

The post 28 Facts to Know Before Building a Church Website in WordPress appeared first on Design on Target.