For the past 15 years or so, churches have been debating if their website address should be added to the sign outside the building. For many churches this is a hot button issues. Some believe the addition of a website address might take away from the beauty of the sign, or compete with service times listed. Whatever the cause of debate, the majority of churches in the United States are missing a huge opportunity by omitting the website address. If your church is embroiled in a similar debate, here are 5 reasons why church signs should include a website address:
- People are church shopping. A 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life indicated that 44 percent of American adults have left their first religious affiliation for another. If you know that a significant number of people are seeking a new church home, provide them with every opportunity to learn about your church.
- Outdoor advertising works. According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc., advertisers spent $6.1 billion on outdoor advertising in 2010. That’s up from $5.9 billion in 2009.
- The Phone Book is dead. As you may have read in my recent post that “Nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. “rarely or never” use the phone book, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Instead, most of them (60%) use the Internet to find contact information, a number that’s certain to continue to rise, especially as smart phone adoption and location-based services both grow.” Churches can’t rely solely on the Yellow Pages any longer, if seekers are relying on church websites to learn more, why wouldn’t you promote the address on your church sign?
- Don’t choose aesthetics over disciple making. Some church leaders opt to leave off the church website address from signs because of aesthetics … believing it may diminish the beauty of the church. Our charge is to make disciples for Jesus Christ, not win a beauty contest.
- Leave them with a call to action, not assumptions. Yes, the primary role of your church sign is to mark or identify where you are located. If that’s all you offer, seekers are left to make assumptions about your church. Who you are? What do you believe? And if you are part of a denomination, they will more than likely make assumptions based on their view of your denomination. The church website address is your call to action, directing those passing by your sign to learn how your congregation is making a difference in the world.
