A church website is the first point of contact for many newcomers to Christianity and church. Nevertheless, research shows that many church websites do not provide basic information about service times, and of perhaps even greater concern is a failure to respond to enquiries about service times.
But Jordan Gillman, a web designer and developer who works with churches to help them communicate online, says that in general, the quality of church websites is on the up.
He identifies five trends that feature in the best church websites of 2014.
- A Focus on Visitors
More and more churches are using their website to focus on communicating with potential visitors to their church. “This is a GREAT trend”, says Gillman, adding that “your church’s website is often the first point of contact people will have with your church”.
There is “very clear information about when and where to come along to a service, and what people can expect if they do come along”, says Gillman.
“Existing members have many other ways of finding out information, but for people who might come along–the website is really the only place they have to look.”
- The Use of Big Images
There is great value in “conveying emotion and impact through the use of big images”, says Gillman.
“Sometimes this imagery is indicative of the location of the church, which is a great way of communicating an understanding and affinity with the city and people they are seeking to reach.”
- The Use of a Looping Video
Many churches are beginning to use “a looping video of worship, ministries and other activities on the homepage”. Gillman says, “this is not only a vibrant and eye-catching addition to sites–it can also be a great way to show a range of the things your church is involved in.”
- Clean and Minimal Design
A lot of church websites have moved away from overly decorative sites to a much cleaner aesthetic. “This is often characterised by content laid out neatly in a grid, big plain type for headings and body content, and often bold use of colour and iconography,” says Gillman.
- Inviting people to “Connect”
Many church websites are now inviting site visitors to “connect” with them. Gillman says that “it is often a slightly more accessible and understandable term to describe the various ministries that a church offers and runs.”
Gillman says there is “an overall rise in the quality of websites being created by churches. They are starting to come of age as a communication tool–which can only be a good thing for ministry, and for the Kingdom.”
Gillman has chosen his top church websites of 2014. They are, in no particular order:
- Northstar Church
- Soul Church
- Life Point Church
- Newspring
- Renewal Church
- The Village Church
- Risen Church
- Bay Area Fellowship
- Cornerstone City Church
- Engage City Church
- The Light Church
- Cornerstone Fellowship
- Gallery Church
- Rise City Church
Jordan Gillman is an award winning Web Designer and Developer who works with Churches to help the communicate online. He is the founder of ChurchSites.co – an online tool that makes it affordable and easy for churches to get a beautiful and effective website.
Image: Bogie Garry on Flickr, used under CC License.
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