The Internet Ministry Conference 2008
The Internet Ministry Conference (IMC) was Gospel.com's annual conference targeted at organizations ministering online. Held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, people met at IMC to discuss and share ideas about the marketing, technology and design of online ministry.
- Top Ten Mistakes Christian Websites Make, Alan Ritari
Not the same as being there for the presentation by a long shot, but here they are...
10. Don’t take it seriously - We take for granted how hard it is to build amazing sites, and therefore approach it in a haphazard manner. Good sites start with strategic thinking. Who is it for? What do they need? How do we want them to change? If your site won't change the world, why are you wasting your time?
9. No site is an island - Good sites are well-integrated with other business and ministry objectives, involving staff from across disciplines and departments. Don't fall into the trap of just handing off to "the web guys."
8. Building for the Board - Your Board of Directors isn't your audience, so don't let them push for the site they like. Respect their wisdom, while building the site your users need. Likewise, you are likely not the audience for your own site.
7. K.I.S.S. - We try to do too many different things. Focus!
6. Too much world - Christians too often try to piggyback on trends and memes from surrounding culture, often with laughable results. Be authentic, on your own terms.
5. Not enough world - Not all the smartest people work for you. Pay attention to the successes in the world around and ask what deep human needs created the incubator for them. Can you meet those needs in your own ways?
4. Staffing for the technology - If you treat your website like a technology problem, you will get technology answers. It takes more: writers, designers, etc.
3. Sloppy craft - We don't take enough pride in our work, instead banking that the power of the message will wallpaper over sloppy craft. If the presentation is sub-par, why should anyone believe your message is better?
2. Not measuring results - What are your goals for your site? How do you know you're achieving them? Analytics are a first step, but be on the lookout for ways to engage your users in dialogue then listen to what they say (especially when you don't like it).
1. On our own strength - None of the above items matter much if we're trying to do this entirely on our own strength. Listen for your calling, strive to be faithful to it, and recognize that you're part of Something Bigger.
Andy Rau also blogged from the session and has made his notes available.
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