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Randy’s & Rod’s Topnotch Website Tips

Randy’s & Rod’s Topnotch Website Tips. Brought to you by: the Communications Committee ( CommComm ). St Thomas Anglican Church .

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Randy’s & Rod’s Topnotch Website Tips

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  1. Randy’s & Rod’s Topnotch Website Tips Brought to you by:the Communications Committee (CommComm)

  2. St Thomas Anglican Church • St Thomas’ new WordPress website, designed and maintained by priest, Patrick Blaney and parish volunteers, is a good example of how a church website can be beautiful, informative, and community-centred without a large budget.

  3. Homepage - first impressions • Photo of the community in or outside the building looking happy and natural or a defining, iconic image uniquely connected to the parish or organization.

  4. Location, location – Information! • Anticipate what your visitor will want to know. Do you have parking? Tell them where. • Other must-haves • navigation buttons to other pages, • service times, • location (map or directions) • acknowledgment of your Compassionate Service ministries, i.e. Community Meal Served on Thursdays in the Parish Hall at 11:45am.

  5. Graphic design elements • Use consistent headings, sub-headings, captions and body copy. • Use a sub-headline every 5 to 7 lines to break up body copy • Keep to a maximum line length 65 to 70 characters • Select easy to read versatile fonts like Tahoma or Arial • Balance 2 or 3 font sizes, 10 or 12 point for body copy

  6. Keep it fresh and simple • Ensure that each page is interesting and has graphics and photos that relate to its central theme.

  7. Consistent contact • In the current world, each page is a landing page from another location. So make sure the church address or location link are on every page. And ideally the phone number too.

  8. Next steps • Add a parishioner profile page for those who wish to be listed • Create a facebook page, blogsite and twitter account with links on the website.

  9. Words, words, words • Avoid churchy/pious language if you can, and if you can’t, please supply some easily accessed definitions. • Incumbent should have a column or a link to a blogspot. Confer with friends and parishioners about a catchy title. Clever names are good but get feedback i.e. “Revved Up!” good or not-so-good?

  10. Keep the site current • Post your Festival Service listings as early and accurately as possible: Advent, Christmas, Lent. • After the Festival is over, take them down. Does your house still have its Christmas decorations up? Does your website?

  11. Moving pictures • Video: to post or not to post? • Good stills with a music track are better unless you have a very skilled filmmaker in your community. • Even if the film is good, make it short (30 seconds). • Add graphics and titles to clarify the message and put it up on youtube or vimeo with a link.

  12. Photos, photos, photos • Photos should be bright and full of people. Too many parishes in the D of NW advertise their buildings and usually the photos are of empty buildings. • Avoid staged stuff with children. • Use positive, upbeat photos of the clergy, parish leaders and staff.

  13. What makes you special? • Seekers in this day and age love what they perceive to be authenticity in their worship experience: organ music, choral music, chanting and wardrobe.

  14. The whole community • Link to user groups i.e. pre-schools, music schools, other faith communities that use the building etc., the diocese, the national church, the Anglican Communion. • Include a news feature about the community. Make it welcoming and current.

  15. Stewardship is not a bad word • Have a straight-forward message about Christian Stewardship focusing on the fact that members of faith communities give. THAT’S JUST WHAT WE DO HERE... • Our God is a generous God and we are generous in return. • Add easy instructions about how to give.

  16. Final rule: be authentic • Don’t use stock photos of models looking prayerful. • Show us who you are.

  17. Communications Committee • For advice, techniques, or a sympathetic ear, contact Randy Murray Communications Officer & Editor of TOPIC 604.684.6306 ext 223        Fax 604.684.7017 www.vancouver.anglican.ca http://vancouveranglican.com/ (Screening in Faith HR Site) www.holidayservices.ca  (for Festival Worship and Event listings around the D of NW) http://nwanglicanblog.wordpress.com./ http://on.fb.me/gH6JaU (Facebook)

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