Is your Website Ready for Christmas?
The day after Thanksgiving, grab your mobile phone and pull up your church’s website. Try to find information about your church’s Christmas worship services.
- Is there information about Christmas services on the website?
- Is the information in a prominent, easy-to-spot location?
- How long does it take to find the information? How many clicks? How many menu items deep is it?
- Is the information visually appealing and invitational?
- Do photos or graphics reflect the nature of worship at your church? Candlelit serenity or Christmas pageant joyful chaos? Does it give people a good idea of what to expect?
- Is there information for Christmas activities other than worship?
At Christmas, it would be easy to assume that people will show up regardless of what we post on our website and that people will generally know what to expect from a Christmas service.
And yet, especially at this busy time of year, we must ensure that people have all the information they need to participate fully in our celebrations. Whether it’s a longtime parishioner who needs to know how to purchase Christmas altar flowers online or a first-time visitor who needs to know where to park, there are many reasons people will turn to your website this Christmas. And while they are on your website, what else might they discover?
Suggestions to get your church’s website ready for Christmas:
- Make information about Christmas services easy to find. An eye-catching graphic on the front page with an invitational link should take users to all the information they need with one click. Make sure the mobile experience looks good and that information is easy to find! Most people will visit your website using a mobile device.
- Choose a graphic that reflects your church, preferably one that beautifully shows your actual church – with people in it – and the nature of your worship, rather than using a stock image. Let newcomers see what they can expect.
- Consider first-time visitors. What do they need to know? Share information about if the pews fill up an hour before the service starts, if there is a cookie exchange afterward, or if there is overflow parking down the block.
- Check service times – and not just for Christmas Eve! Double-check Christmas service information but also, update information about changes to regular worship and meetings canceled or impacted by the holiday.
- Christmas is more than worship. Ensure information about outreach projects, pageants, and altar flower donations is easily found.
- Facilitate online giving. Both visitors on Christmas and others connected with your church community may feel more generous this time of year. Make it easy for them to give online! In your worship bulletin, print QR codes that link to the website. Don’t merely announce that giving can be done online.
- Take a quick look at the rest of your website. Are there sections that need to be cleaned up? Content that should be updated? While some visitors may decide on the spur of the moment to join you for Christmas Eve, others may research your church extensively before visiting. Your website is where they will look!
Christmas is a time when you can expect visitors and newcomers. Make sure your website Is ready and provides an invitational and welcoming experience!