It’s an epidemic! Nearly every church or non-profit that seeks my help to develop or redesign a website is frustrated with their vendor or content management system. In some cases, it’s a matter of steep service fees, most clients feel trapped by the technology that is supporting their website. At the core of their frustration, they know that technology is driving the ship, not ministry.
So how do you flip the script? Here are five points that you or your communications committee need to consider when you feel technology has taken the reigns:
- Process – In many cases, churches will find themselves creating web architecture and visual design based on what their content management system will allow, versus the needs of members or first time visitors. I am a firm believer in designing websites based on the needs of people, also known as user-centered design. This is a design process in which the needs, wants and limitations of the web user and your organization are given extensive attention at each stage of development. Bottom line, the web management system you use should first support the needs of your site visitor.
- ROI – There are thousands of fee-based content management systems that allow you to create a new website in a matter of minutes. And many of these service providers cater to the church market. Often a church will sign-up for a web package, only to find over the years that their base costs have increased beyond their means. For many, they feel stuck, overwhelmed at the thought of moving their website to a more cost effective option. In this case, the return on your investment doesn’t jive. It’s wasted resources due to a fear of change.
- Management – In the nearly 18 years that I’ve been a communicator, I’ve seen the tools used to build and manage websites radically change. We’re light years from Microsoft FrontPage, though I secretly miss it at times. Due in large part to the explosion of easy to use social media platforms and adoption of user-experience standards, content management systems are much more intuitive … in some cases. But many service providers haven’t retooled or modified their platforms, or when they have, the user experience has suffered. If only one person on your web team knows how to make changes to your website, or you are dependent on hiring a consultant to update your website, it’s time to consider a change.
- Politics – In many ways, working in a church setting is like working in politics. You often find yourself having to work the system to move forward. So when you hire vendors or consultants, it’s an enormous relief when they already understand the Church and its nomenclature. Without that foundation, many skilled consultants fail simply because they have spent so much energy simply trying to catch up. In these cases, the quality of work delivered suffers.
-
Nick Burns: Your Computer Guy
Service – There is no reason for a vendor or consultant to ever leave you feeling demeaned or lost without direction. On more than one occasion, clients have shared stories reminiscent of Jimmy Fallon’s Saturday Night Live character Nick Burns. In the skit, Nick would arrive to fix your computer problem, and then mercilessly degrade you as he did it. If you ever feel this way, show your service provider the door. There’s too much competition for your business to be treated that way.
Photo: TotalAldo
Wow. It's Quiet Here...
Be the first to start the conversation!