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Using the web has a huge number of advantages over traditional media: |
Primary
Reason |
The primary reason for having a website is simply that virtually everybody expects
you to have a website. It is important to live up to those expectations.
By now, instead of looking up your church or ministry in the phone book, the first
thing most people do is check to see if their favorite search engine (e.g. Google) can find your website.
If they can't find your website, the chances are good they will find somebody
else's site which has characteristics similar to yours. |
1 Billion
People |
The Nielson net ratings estimate that over 900 million people were using the internet in 2004 and
over a billion by mid 2005. The rate of growth is increasing rapidly. Over 75% of the US population uses the internet and half
of them use it several times a day. |
Contact
Information |
At a minimum, a website can provide vital contact information, directions and a map of how to get
there. |
Your Church
Members |
At least half of your church members, if not most of them, are by now internet connected and are
more and more expecting that their church will provide the information they need (e.g. calendar of events) on the church's
website. |
Potential
Visitors |
Helps people who are looking for a church to visit or a new church home. Many people’s first
impression of a church is no longer accomplished by a drive through the parking log, but by the church’s web site. Overviews
of services, directions to the church and easy ways to contact you are a few of the many ways by which a website can
facilitate church growth. |
Virtual
Visits |
Remember that Nicodemus had his famous visit with Jesus late at night. People who are not willing
to show up at your church or to attend your ministry may well be paying you visits late at night. If they like what they find
there, they may be willing to stop by in person. Give them the chance to check you out confidentially, late at night if that
is what works for them. |
| Inexpensive |
Websites are relatively inexpensive, an excellent investment, especially considering that every
body expects you to have one. A really good website can answer almost as many questions as a good secretary and be on the job
24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. You can also reduce or eliminate the need for mailings using the
postal system. |
| Up To Date |
Print up thousands of glossy brochures to hand out and the chances are good that by the time they
arrive from the printer some of the information will be out of date. So back to the printers. Website changes can be made at
no cost right now. If yours is a ministry and you have books for sale, your catalog and prices can be
kept up to date more easily than an annual catalog printing. |
Pictures Worth
1000 Words |
Yes, pictures are worth a thousand words. You can't put those pictures in the phone book, but you
can put them on the website. |
| An eWindow |
A website opens up a very large window into the world. |
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