According to UseIt.com, if the user can’t find the information they are seeking within 10-20 seconds, they will leave the site.
Depending on the size of your organization and the people you are serving, you need to be aware of what they need and want on the website. Here are some quick tips to meet the needs of the people on your site:
- Do a poll of your members asking what they’d like online access to
- Ask some non-members to look around the site and point out information they couldn’t find
- Look around other church sites and get an idea of what they put online
Do you know what information your online visitors want? Check your website for these key elements. If they aren’t visible on the homepage, they should be accessible in the main navigation (visible within that 10 seconds).
- Contact Information
- Directions
- Service Times
- What to Expect
- Childcare Availability
- Additional Ministries
Don’t lose potential visitors just because you forgot to include service times or your address. Make your building easy to find, your people easy to contact, and answers to questions readily available. By doing so, you will capture those 60% and greatly increase the chances of getting them through the door.
To have your site evaluated on information architecture, graphics, content and more, sign up for faithHighway’s 56 point strategy review.
It’s awesome.
Gangai Victor says
Every church’s online ministry should read this…useful info Eric!
Eric Dye says
Thank you, Gangai!
Steven Gliebe says
That’s a handy list there and one every person constructing a church website should follow. First timers absolutely need this information without having to hunt all around the site.
Another thing is to keep events/news up to date. Not everybody hangs onto their bulletin or remembers the announcements. If someone wants to know when and where something is, there’s a good chance they’ll look online. But is it online?
I would also add a non-content essential: make sure your site is mobile-friendly.
Eric Dye says
Great stuff–thanks Steven!
Ted Sibilsky says
When people miss mass at thier own parish, they like to go online to see thier weekly bulletin. It is also a good idea to have a link on their parish website to thier current, and recent, bulletins.
Eric Dye says
Great idea!