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#2 – People will visit a website before they visit a church.
Because the Internet has become the primary means people use to research and gather information, it has become increasing likely that potential guests will “check you out” on the web before making a decision on whether or not to visit in person. Also, studies show that people seek out Christian resources online as an alternative for attending church. While this trend certainly does not reflect the goals of Apostolic ministry, it does demonstrate an opportunity to make connections with individuals searching for religious/spiritual content.

#3 – A website is typically the “first impression”.
Because a church website is frequently the first point of contact with people in the community, the site may “make or break” the church’s chances of drawing new guests. If a website is attractive, professional, current, informative, and compelling the chances of people deciding to visit are significantly increased. If a church website is shoddy, amateurish, outdated, uninformative, and so forth the church may be forfeiting many opportunities to attract new visitors.

First impressions are very real and, therefore, critically important. If you want to drive potential visitors away from your website (and your church), make sure you have: typos, spelling and grammar errors, dead links; error messages, outdated content, annoying ‘features’ (videos/music that launch automatically and cannot be stopped, etc.), long boring pages of text, silly gimmicks (blinking text, spinning logos, etc.), ugly color schemes, ‘under construction’ disclaimers, and so forth.

#4 – Yours is not the only church website that people will visit.
If your church website is not alluring or compelling, rest assured that your otherwise potential visitors will find another one that is. And, they will be much more likely to visit the church with the better website. Like it or not, you are in competition. If the website of your church is sub-par you are fighting a battle you will not win. Checkout the websites of other churches in your area and make sure yours is the best. Your church website doesn’t have to be the best in the world, but it should be among the best in your community.

#5 – A “web presence” is not sufficient.
Since the church website is the first impression for many in the community, there is a lot at stake. A “web presence” is not enough. The church website must be attractive, impressive, and interactive. It must have good content and information. While the name, location, and service schedule of the church is critical information, this data alone will not convince or compel people in the community to visit the church. Think “e-ministry” not “web-presence”.

Having said this, a simple but elegant web page is certainly better than no web presence at all. But, no web presence at all is probably better than a really bad website.

#6 – A church website must be professionally developed.
A website is a critical outreach and public relations tool for the church of today. It is the primary gateway and point of contact to the community. A website is one of the most important investments a church will make. Therefore, a church website is much too important to be relegated to the hands of a novice.

Many churches have skilled web designers and developers within their congregation that could be recruited to build and maintain a professional site on a volunteer basis. If this method is utilized there must be accountability in place to ensure the job is taken seriously and deadlines are met. The other option is to hire a professional. There is much to know about selecting and hiring a web developer, but that is a subject for another article. In any event, don’t succumb to the temptation of settling for an amateur or mediocre website due to cost, hurting someone’s feelings, or other reasons. There is too much at stake. You cannot afford to have a cheap and/or poor quality church website.

#7 – Content is critical.
Ascetics and visual appeal are very important elements of an impressive website. While these aspects cannot be overlooked, they are no substitute for good, informative content. Web surfers are more technically knowledgeable and discriminating than in times past. Fancy websites abound on the web today, and we are all accustomed to seeing them. People are no longer impressed by visual bells and whistles alone — they are looking for pertinent and useful information.

Church websites must contain all the anticipated basic information to satisfy the questions that potential visitors have. If you were considering visiting a church what would you want to know about it? Your church website should address these questions and concerns.

#8 – A personal touch goes a long way.
A good church website will impact viewers on an interpersonal and emotional level. An attempt should be made to connect with people. This can be done in many ways including: pictures of church members prominently displayed, a brief and professional video welcome message, a ‘meet our staff’ section, pictures of the church building (inside and out), and so forth. The main idea is to provide a way for potential guests to visualize themselves participating and meeting new people.

On a related note, research shows that the reputation, charisma, and general likability of a Pastor is often the most significant consideration people use to decide whether or not to join a church. With this in mind, the church website should highlight positive characteristics of the Lead/Senior Pastor and other significant contributors to the pastoral staff. Suggestions may include: photos, biography, good sermons (e.g. audio or video clips), ministry experience, accomplishments, and so forth.

#9 – Church members are not the primary target audience.
In case the preceding eight tips haven’t made it clear, the primary purpose of a successful church website is to draw, compel, and attract un-churched people, non-Christians, and unfulfilled ‘believers’ to visit the church with the goal of experiencing a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. While the website can and should provide some specific features and services for the convenience of church members, this is not the primary purpose. Any such features should be added or enhanced only after the primary purpose of reaching for and appealing to the lost is well underway.

With this in mind, there are specific considerations for communicating with an un-churched and/or non-Christian audience. Don’t use ‘churchy’ jargon and ‘Christianese’ language. Attempt to break the common stereotype that church people are judgmental killjoys by presenting them as normal, fun loving, and caring. Find creative and sensitive ways to connect with your primary audience with respect to their unmet spiritual needs, desires, and concerns. These are just a few examples. The main point is do not lose focus of your primary target.

#10 – A website is not the end-all outreach tool.
A church website is a fantastic and necessary tool for outreach and evangelism in the 21st century. However, we must not deceive ourselves by believing that it is the only tool we will ever need. It is not the answer to all of your evangelism and outreach needs. A website cannot and does not take the place of good old-fashioned personal contact.

Having said that, a church website can play an important role in enhancing the outreach, evangelism, and (sometimes) discipleship endeavors initiated by personal contact. For example, often people have questions that they are too shy or inhibited to ask in person. Obtaining information on a web site may be perceived as a ‘safer’ way of finding out more about a church once the personal contact has been established.

Therefore, church members should utilize any and all means available to promote the church website as a part of personal outreach endeavors. For example, the URL of the site should be displayed on all ‘seed cards’ (business cards), tracts and pamphlets, letters (e.g. on the letterhead), fliers, and so forth. It should also be displayed on the church sign, on billboards, in newspaper ads, in the Yellow Pages and anywhere else that the church advertises. There are also a number of ways that a church can increase the visibility of their website and the likelihood it will be found online, but that is the subject for another article.

Article Written By:
Kirk VanOoteghem, Executive Pastor
River of Life Church (Muncie, Indiana)

The relationship between a small company and its customers is a tricky one. While not as intense as that with family members, surprisingly enough, long-term business relationships have similar risks for both parties as any other “friendship.”

The situation between you and a customer can be damaged by broken promises, business betrayals and lying or giving false impressions.

These “relationship killers” can result in you missing out on opportunities, sales or even becoming involved in a costly legal action.

Of course, not every business relationship goes bad or ends in a lawsuit. Many small businesses have maintained amicable and profitable relationships with their customers for decades.

So how can you avoid making these disastrous mistakes in your relationships with your customers?

Let’s run down the list of mistakes and relationship killers:

Mistake No. 1: Not Being Reliable Or Predictable
No matter what you may offer in terms of products or services, your customers rely on you to maintain a certain level of predictability and reliability or product quality. Being inconsistent can lead to lower sales and disappearing clients.

Mistake No. 2: Failing To Communicate If Things Go Bad
Things can go wrong at any time, as we all know. But you must communicate to clients or customers anything that can cause an unavoidable disruption, a noticeable drop in product quality, or make you miss deadlines, etc. You don’t want them to become spooked.

Mistake No. 3: Watch What You Say
Make sure that the words in your marketing messages (online or off) match what you actually do or sell. As the old phrase goes, “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” Using hype can lead to charges of fraud or false advertising.

Mistake No. 4: Admit Your Mistakes
Don’t think your customers are so dumb that they’ll never notice the mistakes you have made, no matter how small. This means that when you do make a mistake, acknowledge it, fix it and move on. Don’t dodge clients by not answering e-mails or ignoring negative blog comments.

Mistake No. 5: Watch With Secrets You Keep
It’s natural as a small business person to want to keep as much of your proprietary or business information private as possible. While customers are protective of their own privacy, they are expecting more and more transparency from the people they do business with. Use your website to host all your public business information for easy client access.

Mistake No. 6: Hiding Your Business Size
Don’t pretend to be bigger than you really are. Frequently, people choose to do business with smaller companies because they feel such organizations are more responsive to their needs or are more authentic.

Mistake No. 7: Failing To Say ‘No’
As entrepreneurs, it’s difficult for us to turn down opportunities. After all even the most conservative of business people have a bit of risk taker inside them. But a common mistake we all make is taking on too many projects at once. Accept your limitations and try not to promise more than you can deliver. Focus on your strengths. Use e-mail and other web technologies to help manage your projects and coordinate delivery schedules and other activities between your customers and you.

Article by C.L. Reese

“IT IS OFFICIAL. IT WAS EVEN ON THE NEWS. FACEBOOK WILL START CHARGING DUE TO THE NEW PROFILE CHANGES. IF YOU COPY THIS ON YOUR WALL YOUR ICON WILL TURN BLUE AND FACEBOOK WILL BE FREE FOR YOU. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON, IF NOT YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED IF YOU DO NOT PAY.”

To be honest, I got a bit worried for a few minutes when I began thinking of all my clients that would be effected. But then I stepped back from my emotional connection with Facebook and thought…there’s no way. They wouldn’t be that stupid!

4 Reasons Why Facebook Will Never Charge

When you sign up it clearly states that “It’s free and will always be.”
This rumor hits just about every time Facebook releases a new feature. Don’t be fooled…it will always be free.

Facebook is not about you…it’s about the advertisers!
Let me explain. The real customers of Facebook are the advertisers not the users. The reason why Mark Zuckerberg has a personal wealth of 17.5 billion dollars is not from your profile or mine. It’s due to the huge advertising money companies spend to advertise on Facebook.

Facebook is Mark’s Retirement Plan
According to the New York Times, Facebook’s stock could be as high as $76 a share with an estimated value of $33.7 billion dollars. Why would Mark Zuckerberg do something that would drive the stock down?

The more you visit Facebook, the more money Facebook makes.
This goes with number two but I thought it was interesting to note. From now on just think…every time you check your Facebook wall…Mark’s pockets are getting heavier .

I read a great book about a year ago by Stephen Covey called “The Speed of Trust.” This was a New York Times bestseller and is a great read to give you insight on the things that build great organizations. Stephen Covey shares four questions all of us should ask ourselves if we are trying to grow our organization.

Does my brand have Integrity? Do you have a reputation for honesty? Do we have values people believe in and can trust? Do we have a reputation in the market for courageously addressing tough issues quickly and for honestly admitting and repairing mistakes?

Does my brand demonstrate good Intent? Are we perceived as simply “out to make a profit,” or do people feel that we genuinely care, that we want to help others win?

Does my brand demonstrate Capabilities? Do people associate our name with quality, excellence, continuous improvement, and the ability to change to maintain relevance in a global economy age? Are we recognized as having the ability to accomplish our objectives in ways that build trust?

Is my brand associated with Results? Do people feel we deliver what we promise? Is a good track record associated with our name? Are people willing to answer “yes!” to what Bain consultant Frederick Reichheld calls the ultimate question: Would you recommend this business to a friend?

If you don’t have the brand or reputation you desire, the 4 Cores provided by Stephen Covey provide a great diagnostic tool to help you pinpoint the reason why and the area where investment will bring the greatest returns. This book is a $16 investment you can’t afford not to take!

*Information for this blog was pulled directly from “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen Covey.

2. Some of success is luck. Just being in the right place at the right time. ~ Bill Gates

3. When you find a good idea act on it right away. ~ Bill Gates

4. Absorb, assess, and then act. Knowledge without action is impotence. ~ Donald Trump, Flamboyant Chairman and CEO of Trump Organization.

5. Avoid your comfort zone — it’s probably outdated anyway. ~ Donald Trump

6. Resolve to be bigger than your problems. Who’s the boss? ~ Donald Trump

7. If you’re honest, you should know the questions that should be asked, as well as the answers. That’s probably why there’s so much confusion out there today. ~ Donald Trump

8. Do business with people you like and who share your objectives. ~ Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

9. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently. ~ Warren Buffett

10. Borrowed money is the most common way that smart guys go broke. ~ Warren Buffett

11. Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. ~ Warren Buffett

12. Learn from failures, admit it and move on. ~ Steve Jobs

13. Learn continually from people within and outside of your company ~ Steve Jobs

14. You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new. ~ Steve Jobs

15. Have a clear articulation of what your value proposition is – what makes you different? ~ Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell, Inc.

16. Tough times present new opportunities and the seeds can be sown for future successful companies ~ Michael Dell

17. There’s never been an easier time to connect with customers all over the world – utilize social media opportunities like blogs, Facebook and Twitter ~ Michael Dell

18. Find something that works well and then replicate it ~ Michael Dell

19. Take advantage of the resources around you – people, technology and suppliers ~ Michael Dell

20. Keep your messages simple and clutter free to reach your market faster. ~ Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric

21. See change as an opportunity…keep an eye out for changes to your business ~ Jack Welch

22. Do your homework or hire wise experts to help you. Never jump into a business you have no idea about. ~ John Templeton, British stock investor

23. There’s no free lunch. You won’t make it big in one day but persistence will take you there. ~ John Templeton

24. When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts ~ Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation

25. Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming. ~ Sir Richard Branson, founder of the “Virgin” brand of over 350 companies.

26. Big businesses will always try to crush small upstarts. To beat big businesses, use the strengths of being small. Big corporations are impersonal; staff are often not treated well. At a small company, you can make sure your staff are proud of working for you and then they’ll work hard to be successful. And small companies are more nimble. ~ Sir Richard Branson

27. There are no shortcuts. You have to work hard, and try to put yourself in a position where if luck strikes, you can see the opportunity and take advantage of it. I would also say it’s hard not to fool yourself. Everyone tells you how they are going to be”special,” but few do the work to get there. Do the work. ~ Mark Cuban, Chairman of HDNet and owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team

The software giant has issued a ‘critical’ security alert over a newly-discovered flaw that affects all versions of the company’s Windows operating system, including Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 (R2), reports the Daily Mail.

However, Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers are unaffected by the threat because, unlike Internet Explorer, they don’t support MHTML files, where the problem lies.

Rank = Content + Links

Sounds easy doesn’t it?  If it’s that simple, why isn’t everyone landing on the first page for their keywords? As with most things that seem simple on the surface, the devil is in the details. So let’s look at the formula in a little more detail. We’ll start with the first part of the formula which is content.

What makes good content? Good content is…

• Relevant
• Rich in keywords
• Updated regularly
• Properly formatted

Let’s look at each of those points in detail. First and foremost good web content is relevant to your visitors. So if you have a site about plumbing you probably shouldn’t have information about the latest concert on your website. Why? Because the concert isn’t relevant to your clients. On the other hand, information about different plumbing fixtures, how to build a better shower, or how to make sure your water softener is doing its job would all be great ideas for a plumber’s website.

Good content contains “relevant” keywords. You can say the same thing in many different ways, but if you use the specific phrases and words your prospects use, you will be more likely to get people coming to your site from a search engine. Good content is updated regularly. You shouldn’t just put information out on your website and forget about it. Search engines like to see a steady dose of fresh content on the site. The more regularly and frequently you update your site, the more often the search engines will come calling. Google’s Matt Cutts suggests adding a new page of content every day.

Good content is properly formatted. Formatting your content the right way can make the difference between your site showing up on page one and not showing up at all. That’s because search engines primarily understand text. They can’t tell the difference between a good photo and a bad photo, but they can get some information about the photo from its filename and some other specially formatted text.

What is content?

So what is content? When the Web was first created content typically meant text. But today content could mean:

• text
• pictures
• video
• podcasts
• documents

What are links?

Now that we’ve covered content, let’s talk about links. A link is simply a hyperlink from one page on a website to another page on a website. In their simplest forms, there are two kinds of links:

• Internal links: A link from one section of a website to another section of the same website, typically to a different page.
• External (inbound) links: An inbound link is a link that comes from a page on one website and points to a page on a different website.

Why are links important? In some ways links are like a popularity contest. The more links you have into your website the better your rank is going to be. Links are also like road signs for search engines, pointing the way to relevant content.