Here are some subtle signs that mean it may be time for an update or upgrade to your church's website.
I saw a welcome mat recently that said, “If I’m not expecting you, I’m not answering the door.” What a warm welcome (not)!
We often say at Fishhook that your website is like the welcome mat of your church. Unfortunately, a church’s website doesn't always accurately reflect who you are as a church and community, and even worse ... it may even communicate, “We weren’t expecting you, so we can’t help you!”
You already know this, but a great website is an essential tool for ministry in the digital age. Great websites reflect who you are and what your community is like. They show what matters most to you, how somebody can learn more and take steps. It’s really important to get this tool right!
So, how do you know when it may be time to create a new website? I’m glad you asked!
Here are eight signs that it’s time to build a new website:
- If, like the band U2, your users still haven’t found what they’re looking for! It’s time to build a new website if your navigation is not intuitive, you have too many pages and there’s too much content for users to scan.
- When you have multiple plug-ins to make the thing work – and it’s still not working! This is an indicator that you’re using multiple outdated tools to get your site to do what you want (and it won’t).
- When adding a sermon or event to your website requires a programming degree. You probably need to simplify your back-end user experience for your staff.
- If you can’t pick your website out of a lineup! This means your branding, church culture and website don’t align or stand out. And you have important stories, encouragement and next steps to share.
- When Google can’t even find it! Ineffective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) may be keeping you from connecting with many people in your community.
- If using your phone to find information on your website feels more like looking for a needle in a haystack! Your website must be responsive to different devices and screen sizes. For most churches today, the majority of your website traffic is looking online from their phones.
- When change is in the air at your church, your online presence must reflect it! So if your church has new leadership, new vision, new branding, new locations and more, it’s important to tell that story and organize the content and next steps accordingly.
- And finally, you know it’s time for a new website if you’re embarrassed to share it with others! If you know your website doesn’t look good or reflect your ministry well, it’s time to talk that up with leadership and make a plan for developing a new site.
Do any of these ring a bell for you? If so, websites are our jam, and we’d love to talk! You can find more information on our website, and check out some of our web work as well!
Our goal is to help you tell your unique story through creative and personal communications, and we believe, when that is done well, the Gospel is heard!
What you do matters, and we believe in you!
