Website Design Turn-on’s and Turn-off’s
Hey, it’s been a while since there’s been much action there, so I’ll throw-out this topic to you! Many of us have websites, either personal or for our congregations. In your mind, what makes for a good website? What really attracts you to a website? What repels you? What design elements are good and what are a turn-off?
I’d love to hear your comments to the above questions!
Here’s a list of 5 things that I think can turn people off to your church website:
1. Not mentioning what’s happening this week. New people often go to a website first to check your church out before coming to visit. Not having current info on what’s happening leaves them in the dark and may help them make their decision to not visit. Likewise, having information what what’s happening last month or last year, as if its current, can be a BIG turn-off.
2. A big picture of your church building on the main page. What’s ministry really about, people or your building? In my opinion, having pictures of people on your home page is most important. A picture of your building might be better placed on the “Directions” section of your site.
3. Having lots and lots of pictures and graphics on your home page. Having pictures and graphics are important, but be careful not to overwhelm people when they visit your site.
4. Using bad photography. Good, brightly lit, well-cropped photos are important to show your best! Pictures with shadows are not good. Pictures showing people in the distance are not good. Head and shoulder shots of people or close-ups of people doing things together are much better.
5.Directions to your church or worship times that are difficult to find. I’ve been to more than once church website where I could not easily find directions or what time they gather for worship. Something similar is not finding an email address to contact the church or pastor. To make your church more attractive to others, its important to make finding this kind of information easy.
What are your turn-on’s and turn-off’s for church websites? Do you like multi-media on sites? What would you add to my list above?
Also, in your opinion, what are the best Church of the Brethren websites? If you were going to nominate a congregation’s site for recognition, whose would you name?
I’d love to get your thoughts on all the above!
Jeff
16 Jan 2009 Jeff Glass
Jeff and Gentle Readers,
Here are my top few, not repeating what you listed. (I don’t have five.)
1. In my years of researching contacts online, my top vote is giving your church’s contact information but not the office hours. Answering machines and voice mail are fine, but sometimes you need to catch up to the pastor. Let me know when I can be assured a good chance of catching him or her (or someone else who works there, if applicable).
2. Comic Sans anything. I know, it’s picky. I appreciate that people want their sites or blogs to be friendly and welcoming. But it’s called Comic Sans for a reason.
3. Retina-burning colors just hurt. Contrasting, retina-burning colors for the background and content…yikes!
In terms of design, etc., I find that I gravitate toward two- and three-column layouts. I like concept and people images. In my recent e-learning module designs and my blog template, I find I like a blue theme using multiple shades, an old-fashioned parchment style, or a dark template (which can help some members with visual impairments).
Blessings,
Nadine
Hi Nadine,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for sharing your comments on what makes for a good website! I especially like your #1. Knowing when you can reach the pastor is more important than the office hours. Plus, small churches don’t always have good office hours when there’s not a secretary and the pastor is running around all over the place! I find that when you use call forwarding from your office to cell phone, you can be most anywhere and people can reach you. This way, you don’t have to share your cell phone to everyone.
Blessings to you!
Jeff