How to Build Websites for a Nonprofit Church

Websites help gain supporters for nonprofit organizations.

A website for a nonprofit church can be used to create a sense of community, answer common questions, advertise church-related news and events, recruit volunteers and gain financial support. If raising funds is a pressing issue--as it is with many nonprofit organizations--it is vital that the website give reasons to potential supporters as to why they should help. Some people will give simply because they are members of the church, while others will want to know why their money or time is needed and how it will be used.

Instructions

1. Register for an account with a website host that offers a free website builder or wizard, such as Bravenet, Yola or Webs. Each of these hosts offer free and paid hosting packages. Free packages include a website with limited capabilities. They are also ad-supported, meaning advertisements that you do not profit from or control are placed on your pages. Paid packages look far more professional and include advanced features.

2. Start building your website. If you have never done this before, you can use the website builder or wizard offered by your website host. This option walks you step by step through the building process---from choosing a domain name, website template, layout and color palate to adding pages, titles and content.

3. Create your home page. This could include a brief description of the church and list of times when services are held. You could also add a mailing list sign-up box---offered for free by many website hosts---to help create a contact list of possible supporters.

4. Add a page of photos. This could include photos of the church, staff and/or members of the church, church groups and church activities.

5. Add a "Frequently Asked Questions" page with answers to common questions, such as how people can join the church and ways they can get involved in church-related events.

6. Add a page that highlights how church-related funds are being spent to help community members or organizations. This is especially important for people who donate money to the church, so they can see how their money is being spent.

7. Add a "how you can help" page. This could include a call for volunteers for various projects and roles, a donation button for a one-time donation and a sign-up form for a monthly-donation program.

8. Add a calendar with church-related events. This is another service that is available through many website hosts.

9. Add a page with church-related news and important messages. This page could also be used for personal announcements by church members, such as births, marriages or deaths.

10. Add a contact page. This should include the church's address with a map, in addition to a phone number, fax number, email address and any other contact information you might have.

References

• Non Profit CMS: Fundamental Elements For Your Nonprofit Website
• Web Marketing Today: 12 Website Design Decisions Your Business or Organization Will Need to Make

Resources

• Bravenet
• Yola
• Webs