Practical Ministry Skills Evaluating a Web Template Provider (free sample) by Keyton Kyles Use these eight criteria. See "Church Website Essentials: Part II" Training Pack

Topics:	Administration, Communication, Technology, Websites
Filters:	Committee member, Management, Technology, Volunteer
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	None
Date Added:	July 15, 2009
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If your church is interested in finding a template-based website provider, keep these criteria in mind:

1. Cost. Template-based services charge monthly or annual fees for the use of their software, hosting the website, and providing a URL. Some also charge one-time setup fees. Make sure your church's budget reflects the ongoing costs associated with the website.
   
   
2. Template designs. Does the provider offer a wide variety of design templates? Will the template appeal to the audience you are trying to reach? Is the immediate reaction, "Wow! That's cool!"? Does it make the page "pop" with expectation?
   
   
3. Ease of setup. How easy is it to actually create the website? Do you need to be a computer genius to figure out what's going on? If you know how to program in HTML, can you use that knowledge to edit the template? Does the website offer a how-to video guide to assist you with creating your site?
   
   
4. Ease of navigation. Once the website has been setup and published to the viewing public, how easy is it for them to get around inside it? For example, can they easily find the pictures, calendar, schedule of events, or past sermons?
   
   
5. Ongoing maintenance and content updates. How easy will it be to keep the website current? Can you upload pictures and videos? Can you easily add current news and events?
   
   
6. Flexibility and customization. Can the providers' template be customized, if you choose to do so? An important part of website design is meeting your audience's needs, so flexibility with the templates will help you make sure the look reflects your church.
   
   
7. Photo/media section. The photo and media section must be appealing and easy to manage, since we know people relate well to visual images.
   
   
8. Domain name. If the website provider ties your URL to its domain name, then will the name become cumbersome or confusing?
   
   

Keyton Kyles; excerpted from our sister publication Your Church magazine, © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Your Church magazine. For more articles like this, visit www.YourChurch.net.

1. Rank these criteria in the order of importance to your church.
2.  Were any of these criteria not previously on your radar?
3. How will you evaluate these different qualities? With the help of individuals, focus groups, or something else?

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