Customer Friendly Web Design

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Have you ever looked at your website from the vantage point of a customer?  I know that may sound strange, but it is very important that you see it this way.  Until you begin to look at your website from the customer vantage point you’ll miss out on some critical connecting opportunities.  Before we get into it, let’s cover two important details:

First, get over the use of the word customer.  I’m simply using that word to describe the people who come to your site looking for information.  Second, since we’re all group life advocates, I’m going to focus my comments on things that are grouplifecentric (how’s that for a word?).

Here are a few pieces to the puzzle.  If connecting with a small group is a key part of your strategy:

  1. It will be evident on the home page.  That means if I’m looking at your website, I’ll be able to figure out that it’s important right there.  I won’t have to click on Adult Ministries, then Discipleship, before I get to Small Groups.
  2. The information will be presented in a language that the customer can understand.  No Christianese.  Everything presented in a way that an outsider can understand without a lexicon.
  3. I’ll be able to find out everything I need to know 24/7 from the site itself.  There will be an FAQ.  There will be some personal testimony about the value of a group (could be text or video).  There will also be a way that I can find out about available groups and contact them without going through a middleman.  Ideally, I’ll be able to see the available groups without having to register.  If I have to register to contact the available groups the registration process will be minimal and non-invasive (it won’t ask for things like date of birth).
  4. There will be contact information for help if I don’t find what I need or have questions that aren’t answered by the FAQ.

How does your website stack up?  If you find it out of compliance, use your influence to bring your website into strategic alignment with your church’s vision.

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