Here in the US, we are starting to see life get back to “normal”.
Because more folks are being vaccinated, businesses are opening up with less or no restrictions, masks are coming off and faith communities are beginning to gather once again!
Praise God!
So you may be wondering if your digital presence is still as important or needed.
We would argue – even more so now than pre-pandemic.
Because now you have the opportunity to actually engage face to face with the people who found you online; either through your online worship services or social media groups and outreach efforts.
Click here for the video version of this post!
Here are 4 website areas that need your attention today!
- Worship times prominently displayed
Be sure to update or ensure the accuracy of your in person worship times.
If you are still offering online worship, be sure to call that out and keep the link available.
Also, consider letting your community know when (and if) you might be ending your online streaming.
We would suggest maybe never? You may have connected with folks not previously a part of your faith community and certainly outside of your physical location.
Think about how you can maintain these relationships. Can you be intentional and ask them for email addresses for a more personal followup?
If you decide not to stream live, but record and post later, make sure your extended faith community will know when to expect the service to be available.
Remember, your community’s proclamation of the Word could be the only one they have been hearing.
2. Location, Location, Location
Your new found friends will need to know where to find you. (And maybe your old friends will need a reminder!)
Display your address prominently on top of your website. If you are providing Google maps link, test it out to make sure it works. The potential visitor will appreciate this!
3. I’m New Here Section
If you do not already have a page on your website for this, stop what you’re doing right now and make one. We’ll wait..
Oh…here are some ideas for what should be on it.
- How long is the service?
- What should I wear (i.e. what are other people wearing?)
- Do you offer communion each week? If so, how?
- What will my kids do?
- Is there a parking lot or street parking?
- Is there coffee? Is it good?
You get the idea…consider that people coming to visit your in person services have found you online and only know you online.
They now will need to know what to expect in person.
4. Welcome Video
A very thoughtful and loving task would be creating a welcome video for those new to your faith community.
Not only to warmly welcome any new folks who found you during the pandemic, but anyone in the future.
A warm message from your pastor and/or faith leaders would add a nice personal touch to your website and give potential visitors a better sense of who you are behind the words on your web page. In fact we wrote about just this in a prior blog post, How to Make Guests Feel More Welcome Before They Arrive.
Celebrate how far you have come in this digital ministry world you may have been reluctantly thrown into.
Now that you’re here, let’s continue the work together!
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