I continue to be impressed, both negatively and positively, by the many congregational web sites I visit. I just heard from a pastor friend of mine who reported that a family in his area found his congregation via his web  site. And he is in a fairly remote area. I can not underscore enough how important it is for your congregation to: (a) have a web site; (b) make it look very, very good; (c) keep it simple, clear and with good information right on the first page people see. You would be surprised how often a congregation’s web site makes it nearly impossible to find the most basic of information: where it is located; a contact e-mail; a phone number; clear directions; service times. I see web sites that bury this information on other pages, spread it out across several pages, or if they do put it on their home page, it is hard to read and see. It is much better to have a simple, clear, basic web site that looks nice, rather than one that is cluttered with poor quality design, images, colors and assorted eye-candy that adds nothing of value to the site. Keep in mind that your congregation’s home page should be designed with the non-member in mind, first and foremost. If you don’t want people to think your congregation is a private club, then don’t make the web site look that way. Here then, for your consideration, are

The Ten Commandments of Church Web Sites

I. Thou shalt communicate basic, necessary information first and foremost: directions to your church; service times; contact information.

II. Thou shalt not make it hard for the stranger in your midst to find this basic information.

III. Thou shalt be attentive to requests and inquiries thy web site receives: answer queries immediately, on the same day. Delay not when thou art contacted!

IV. Thou shalt design thy site with the non-member in mind, first and foremost.

V. Thou shalt place member-only information on separate pages, easily found for your members, but keep the sojourner and alien’s need in mind first on your home page.

VI. Thou shalt inform viewers what your church stands for and believes. Hide not thy public confession, lest you deceive visitors.

VII. Thou shalt not clutter thy church web site with ugly graphics, too many colors and 1990s era web design. If thou can not provide an excellent web site,  thou shalt keep it simple.

VIII. Thou shalt keep thy site neat and clean. Just because thou canst add widgets, graphics and flash graphics, does not mean that thou shouldst add them.

IX. Thou shalt not force visitors to listen to dreadful MIDI organ music; therefore, turn off all auto-play audio and video files. Force not music and videos on thy visitors.

X. Thou shalt not post embarrassing, poorly produced or prepared images of thy pastor and thy congregation’s staff. Better no pictures, than ugly ones.