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Getting Started

WordPress (and Worship Times) Explained

October 4, 2023 by Justin Near Leave a Comment

Many people are familiar with WordPress. It’s known as the easy, “free” open-source environment used worldwide by millions of people to build and manage websites.

But WordPress isn’t a single entity. It’s a complex network of individuals and businesses. That has some amazing advantages, like being able to fulfill whatever your needs are from a vast and connected neural network, but it also means that a WordPress site is a complex system, with layer upon layer of nuance.

WordPress as a CMS

WordPress core is the foundation of any WordPress site. It is the base code that every WordPress site is built on and contains the core functionality of every WordPress site. 

Part of that core system is an editor, the Gutenberg block editor. And with a very simple plug-in, you can still access the classic WordPress editor, allowing you to choose between two different editing experiences.

What this means is that at its heart, WordPress is a content management system (CMS). It started out as a blogging platform and took giant leaps as it filled the needs of a growing niche of people who wanted to edit and control their own websites without needing to get a degree in computer software engineering. It can now do anything and everything, from a basic one-page site to a learning management system to an eCommerce solution. But WordPress often can’t do and be all of those things by itself.

Themes & Plug-Ins

Themes extend the design and sometimes editing capabilities of your WordPress site. Plug-ins extend the functionality of your site – that’s where you can do things like create forms that integrate with Mailchimp or build an eCommerce site.

If you’re starting your own WordPress site, the WordPress theme and plugin repositories are likely where you’ll go. There are so many free themes and plug-ins to choose from!

But as you begin your journey, you’ll quickly discover that “free” doesn’t necessarily cover all of your needs, that “free” doesn’t necessarily include fast support from the theme or plug-in developers (and possibly not any support at all), that screenshots and a brief description don’t always tell you all you need to know before you upload and activate, and that “free” doesn’t always mean “good.”

The Relationship between Themes & Plug-Ins and Worship Times

Going with a website company like Worship Times that uses WordPress sites to build its websites, you bypass all of that hassle and frustration.

  • Worship Times vets all of the themes and plug-ins that we use. Over time, those themes and plug-ins change out as new technologies become available.
  • Inside and out, we know the themes and plug-ins that we use (and by proxy their developers and support) – we know their pros and cons, their joys and concerns, their gifts and their quirks.
  • Sometimes themes and plug-ins don’t play well with each other. One thing affects another, and before you know it, there’s a ripple effect and something isn’t functioning correctly, or, worst case, your site goes down. Worship Times understands this thoroughly and avoids (or knows how to deal with) problem children. 
  • Worship Times works directly with WP Engine (a WordPress-specific hosting provider) to create the best possible environment for your specific site and its many layers.
  • We function as your translator! We work directly with theme and plug-in developers, paying for support when that’s an option, and understand and speak their language. Despite WordPress being such a vast network of people, we are often the first ones to notify them of an issue, and we keep on top of those issues if they aren’t resolved in a timely fashion.

The Design Cascade

Because of the complexity of the relationship between themes and plug-ins, the style and design of your site can become incredibly difficult to navigate. 

Cascading style sheets (CSS) are what allows your site to look the way it looks. Themes are one of the primary ways in which that happens. But themes can have child themes – a customized version of your theme that isn’t overridden by a theme update (layer #2). And sometimes we at Worship Times add custom CSS to your site to get it to look just right (another layer). And finally there’s inline CSS – you can change specific things in your editor. This is the final layer that overrides (usually) all previous layers.

But plug-ins can have styling, too, and they can just plop themselves into the middle of any of those layers. That means that sometimes theme styling overrides plug-in styling, but sometimes plug-in styling overrides theme styling, and it has to be corrected. As part of your build process, we make those adjustments – we know exactly which plug-ins need a styling boost!

Updates

WordPress is a dynamic environment, and your site is not a closed system (hence the name “open”-source) – it is constantly changing. Really! It never stops! 

WordPress core and every theme and plug-in will (should!) eventually have an update (some have more updates than others) – this keeps your site secure, the code up-to-date, and allows everyone to continue to play nicely together. Weekly (yes, weekly!) updates are just a part of what we do here at Worship Times, included with all of our sites. 

But, as with everything, it’s more complicated than that. We don’t just run updates. 

  • We know when to hold on doing updates. Doing an update immediately isn’t always the best idea – the first major version release of any product can have a LOT of bugs. 
  • We try to wait until at least the biggest bugs are worked out before updating. 
  • And we spot check sites after updating to make sure nothing major is wonky because of an update. We may not catch everything, and some things are unavoidable, but we want your experience to be as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

The Worship Times Community

The best thing about Worship Times is our community! WordPress is a MASSIVE community, and we’re just a slice of that pie. We have “partners” not “clients” because we are all doing ministry together. Our team is a part of your community, and our other partners are, too!

Many of our clients are part of a multi-site environment. What this means is that you’re sharing technical resources with other ministries. This has the benefit of keeping costs as low as possible for you, but it ALSO means that you don’t live alone on an island. You have a community of neighbors who live next to you – they can relate exactly to what you’re experiencing with your website. 

That same community, expanded to include all of our partners, is also uniquely suited to answer questions about your ministry. How do you attract young people? What’s the best way to livestream? How do QR codes work? Join our Facebook group to participate in the conversation!

And you can ask our team any question via support, and we’ll provide you with a thorough answer. We’ll go down ANY rabbit hole for you (we love doing that!) and are tenacious in solving problems and coming up with solutions.

Let us know what questions you have, what your needs are, what you love, or what you are concerned about. Everyone at Worship Times – our team and our partners – is here to help!

Filed Under: About Us, Community, Digital Ministry, Getting Started, Technology, Websites

Understanding Embeds: Seamlessly Integrate External Content

August 31, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

using embeds on your blog imageWhat is an embed?

Embeds contain content from an external platform. Most often, this is in the form of a script, provided by the external platform, allowing you to display that platform’s content on your site.

Does that sound like tech jargon? Think of embeds as windows on your website. They provide a view into another platform’s content. While you can still see the familiar surroundings of your site, the embed acts as a window, showcasing content from elsewhere.

What does an embed look like?

A common example of an embed is a video embed. If you upload a video to YouTube or Vimeo, you can display that video on your site. The video remains hosted on the original platform, but an embed allows viewers to watch it directly on your site.

The appearance of your embed depends on the platform from which you are sourcing. You may occasionally have limited control over its design and styling, but not always. A Google Calendar embed, for instance, will look like a Google Calendar.

WordPress-Approved Embeds

WordPress maintains a list of third-party sites from which users can embed content without needing specific codes. For popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud, you simply copy the public link of the desired content and paste it into the WordPress text editor. This works best when embedding one item of content from another source. Ensure any content that you embed is public and that you adhere to copyright laws, which might involve crediting the original creator.

It’s important to note that this approved list evolves as code and platforms develop. While new platforms may be added, some might also be removed. For those using the Gutenberg block editor, a list of embed blocks is available. Most of these can also be embedded via a URL in the text editor.

Worship Times Integrations

Worship Times provides integrations with a range of external tools through the “Add Media” button in the text editor. Some of these integrations offer more features than standard WordPress-approved embeds. Many of these tools were specifically requested by ministries and include:

  • Vanco
  • Tithe.ly
  • Polldaddy
  • SlideShare
  • Vimeo
  • Vimeo Live
  • Google Maps
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Slides
  • Facebook
  • Facebook Video
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Ustream (now IBM Video Streaming)
  • Boxcast

Less Common Embeds

If you can’t find the desired platform in the lists mentioned, don’t worry. Countless technologies allow for embedding. If you wish to embed from a platform that provides you with an embed code, please submit that code in a support ticket or email us at support@worshiptimes.org.

Directly pasting embed code into your site can be problematic, especially on our multi-site network, as codes can be stripped for security reasons. If you send the code to us, we’ll create a shortcode for you. This shortcode functions like the original embed code but doesn’t get stripped out when you edit the page.

What is a shortcode?

  • Example:

In WordPress, a shortcode, always encapsulated within square brackets, serves as a way to display content from another source. This content can be internal, like forms or event lists, but shortcodes can also represent embed codes. Typically, a shortcode specifies its source (like a Gravity Form in the provided example) and may include parameters for customization. The example pulls a form with an ID of “1” and displays its title.

Need more information or assistance with a specific embed or platform? Submit a support ticket or email us at support@worshiptimes.org. We’re here to help!

Filed Under: Blogging, Digital Ministry, Featured, Getting Started, How To, Media, Technology, Themes, Tips, Tips & Tricks, Training, Websites, WT Website Toolkit

Building a Website: What to Expect When Working with Worship Times

August 16, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

One question I get asked often when meeting with a new ministry is, “what can we expect in this process?” In today’s blog post, we walk you through what to expect when building a new site with Worship Times. This is meant as a guide but can also be adjusted to meet your needs if they include logo design, custom features, and custom functionality to enhance your communications ministry.

What to expect when building a website insta postInitial Meeting/Discovery

As we begin to think about your new site, we want to get to know about your community of faith. We discuss and explore questions like: who you are; what you do; what is your story within God’s story?

We will use this time to discuss your site needs, navigation, desired integrations, home page content, and design in terms of color palette and logo. We will also us this time to discuss inspiration sites. These do not have to be sites that have been built by Worship Times, but any site that you like.

Navigation and Home Page Outline

The next step is creating a proposed navigation and home page outline. This is a simple spreadsheet that we create as a point of discussion for your site.

The goal in this phase is to get a good idea of what you want in your navigation, what information you want to communicate and a general flow for the home page.

This phase doesn’t lock you in or set your navigation in stone, but gives us a starting point for the design phase.

Design Phase

Home Page
We create a home page based on our discussion in the discovery meeting and information you’ve shared with us.

We send a sample home page for conversation and make edits based on your preferences and needs.

Once we have a general layout, color palette and understanding of your functionality needs, we move to the landing page design.

Landing Page
Landing pages are internal pages, other than the home page.

In this phase, we typically create 3-4 layout and designs based on your home page. We use content form your current site, if available, or use filler content to consider the layout, flow, and functionality needs of the various pages throughout the site. Not every page will fit this mold. The key is to be consistent.

We listen to your needs and desires and make edits accordingly, with the goal to get to one consistent landing page with variations that can lend to your different type of content.

Once a landing page and possible variations are confirmed, we move to the build phase.

Build Phase

The build phase can go quickly.

We consider what content needs to be created, what can be edited from your current site, if available and applicable, and what we create together.

We share files, pictures, and integrations in a manner that fits your workflow. The length of this phase is up to you and your team to get us the content needed.

We will communicate with updated check lists, needs, and section reviews during this time.

Review Phase

Once the site is built or close to completion for the purpose of launch, we ask that your team conduct a full desktop review of the site.

This phase can be done a number of ways. The most popular is your team provides clear notes on needed edits and changes, or we conduct a review together via Zoom.

This is a very import phase that helps us catch anything that may have been missed in the planning and build phase.

Next, we conduct our own internal review on desktop and mobile devices. We make corrections to give your website the best appearance on all screen sizes.

During this phase we prepare your domain to redirect to the new site. It’s important to make sure you have access to your domain registration. We are not able to go live without this step.

Edit and training phase

Once we finalize your approved edits, we schedule a time for training. This is typically a one-hour training session with your team via Zoom. We record the training for future reference.

We have a full learning library of written and video tutorials available to assist you in making edits and changes to your site.

You can access this at any time. If desired, you can begin on-your-own training prior to the Training Session. This is helpful to provide a foundation of the tools used on your site but is not necessary.

We provide a playground area on your site for you to explore the new tools and offerings provided by a Worship Times Site.

Going Live phase

Once we have your approval, we will schedule your site to go live. We will conduct a series of final checks and create backups of your design and pages for you.

We Go Live! This is the most satisfying phase as we launch your new site. Using your domain, we direct your URL to your new site.

General Support

Once your site goes live, we are here to support you and answer questions you have. Learning a new tool can take time. We offer support to help you learn your new site and the tools available to you. Remember, we are here to help!

Offerings After the Website Build

We offer continued maintenance and communications services in addition to website creation.

If you need help with your communications ministry, we can help. We offer the following services.

  • Website maintenance
  • Blog writing
  • Graphic design
  • Video editing
  • Audio editing
  • Newsletter creation
  • Email creation
  • Social media planning, creation, and execution
  • Analytics review
  • Photo services
  • Logo design for main and sub-ministries
  • Registration assistance
  • E-commerce solutions
  • Site upgrades
  • And so much more!

Our contracts are based on your specific needs and are fully customizable.

Reach out to us here to chat more about how we can help you. We look forward to our work together!

Filed Under: About Us, Featured, Getting Started, Home Page, How To, Tips, Tips & Tricks, Training, Websites, Worship Times Updates, WT Website Toolkit

Effective Church Calendar Management: Balancing Public and Internal Calendars for Ministry Success

August 2, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

Effective Church Management GraphicCalendars play a vital role in the successful operation of your ministry. With busy schedules, it’s essential to stay organized. However, a clear understanding of your calendar needs can help discern the best tools for your ministry.

Public vs Internal Calendars

One common mistake is to overlook the distinction between your internal, administrative calendar and your public events calendar. Their functions and audiences differ, so don’t automatically assume they should be identical. While it seems efficient to have all events in one place, their differing needs require careful consideration.

Public Calendar

Your public calendar is a crucial marketing tool on your ministry website. It demonstrates that you’re an active ministry with a lively community. It serves a dual purpose: keeping regular members informed about upcoming events while also helping newcomers quickly understand what’s happening. Ultimately, everyone feels welcomed and informed.

The details required by the general public can be minimal – just the event title, date, start time, and location. While providing additional information is beneficial, successful event marketing doesn’t have to be extravagant.

Internal, Administrative Calendar

An administrative calendar is for internal use. It’s intended for staff and volunteers who need to know every little detail surrounding an event. Apart from public events, an internal calendar can also include staff vacation schedules, private events, liturgical information, communication schedules, and much more.

Calendar Management Solutions

We might wish that everything could exist everywhere at once, with all events syncing perfectly across multiple platforms. However, technology is complex. Different calendaring platforms are built with different code, making auto-syncing challenging. Additionally, the reality is that your ministry has two distinct needs and audiences.

Many online tools and software cater specifically to churches and can serve both functions effectively – if you’re using one and it’s working for you, keep using it! But if you’re not, or if you’re exploring whether or not there’s a better way, consider exploring options that utilize the tools already available to you in conjunction with free-to-use options.

Website Calendar → Public

Every Worship Times website includes a built-in calendar system. While feature-rich, you don’t need to use all of its functionality to create an effective public calendar. Prioritize adding events to your website’s calendar. Remember, simplicity is key.

There are many benefits to using your website’s built-in events system:

  • SEO (search engine optimization)
  • Easy-to-find (the information exists where people are looking for it)
  • Branding (the calendar shares the colors, fonts, look, and feel with the rest of your website).  Check out our post on Church Branding 101.

And the best part is that anyone can subscribe to your website calendar via Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCalendar, making it a separate calendar on their chosen platform. This includes staff and volunteers who need access to that information!

Google Calendar, Outlook, etc → Internal

Both Google and Microsoft offer free or low-cost collaborative “business” programs for nonprofits – Google Workspace for Nonprofits and Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits. These programs offer much more than calendaring, including Google Calendar and Outlook’s calendar, which can be easily shared among staff and external collaborators like volunteers. It’s wise to use these tools alongside your website’s calendar, using the website as the foundation for your public events, then coordinating everything from within an administrative calendaring system.

If you have any questions about the available tools or how to use them, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here. We’re here to help!

Filed Under: Calendar & Event Management, Calendar & Event Management|Liturgical Planning, Calendar & Event Management|Marketing, Events, Featured, Getting Started, How To, Tips, Tips & Tricks, Websites

Church Branding 101: Creating a Memorable and Meaningful Identity

July 25, 2023 by Sara Stanton Leave a Comment

CHURCH BRANDING 1O1 ImageCrafting a unique and recognizable identity is important for all types of organizations, including churches. Today’s post focuses on the vital but often overlooked area of church branding. With a well-defined brand, your church can resonate more deeply with your congregation, attract new members, and more effectively communicate your mission.

Church Branding: An Overview

Church branding is about much more than creating a logo or a catchy slogan; it encompasses the total experience that people have with your church, both in-person and online. Your brand is the impression that people get when they walk through your doors, interact with your congregation, visit your website, or scroll through your social media feeds. It embodies your mission, values, and the unique aspects that set your church apart.

The Importance of a Strong Brand Identity

A powerful brand identity helps to create a sense of belonging among current members while attracting new ones. It communicates your church’s mission, values, and personality in a consistent and easily recognizable way. Just like commercial brands use their identity to connect with their customers, a church can use its brand identity to connect on a deeper level with its congregation and the wider community.

Crafting Your Brand Strategy

Creating your brand strategy starts by understanding your church’s mission, vision, and core values. Who are you as a church? What is your purpose? What do you stand for? These questions form the foundation of your brand.

Your brand strategy should also consider your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs and how can your church meet them? Understanding your audience will help you to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.

Branding Elements: Logos, Colors, and More

The visual elements of your brand, like your logo, color scheme, typography, and imagery, should reflect the personality and values of your church. Your logo, for instance, should be distinctive, easy to recognize, and convey the essence of your church. Your chosen colors and fonts should harmonize with the overall image you aim to project.

Online Presence: Websites and Social Media

Your online presence is a crucial part of your church branding. A well-designed, user-friendly website that aligns with your brand identity can provide a wealth of information and engage members with dynamic content. Social media platforms offer additional channels to connect with your congregation, share your message, and attract new members. Make sure that your online presence is consistent with your overall brand strategy, offering a cohesive and authentic experience to all users.

Conclusion

Church branding might seem daunting, but it’s a necessary step to communicate with your congregation and community effectively. By defining your church’s mission, vision, and values, understanding your audience, and translating these elements into a visual brand and online presence, you can create a powerful brand identity that truly represents your church.

As you journey into church branding, remember that consistency is key. A consistent brand fosters trust and helps people feel connected to your church. Also, bear in mind that successful branding is a process. Be open to feedback, keep fine-tuning, and don’t be afraid to tweak your brand as your church grows and changes.

Ready to take the next step in defining your church’s brand identity? Reach out to us today for a consultation. From logo design, to colors, to typography, we can work together to create a meaningful and memorable church brand that will resonate with your congregation and community.

Filed Under: Blogging, Digital Ministry, Featured, Getting Started, Images, Marketing, Media, Tips & Tricks

The Difference between WordPress Themes and Editors: Explained

July 11, 2023 by Justin Near Leave a Comment

The Difference Between WordPress Themes and Editors Explained Main ImageOver time, the boundaries between WordPress themes and editors have become somewhat blurred, but there’s a good reason behind it! Let’s dive into the details.

Understanding WordPress Themes

When people talk about themes, they often refer to the external appearance or design elements of a website. Essentially, themes determine how your site looks on the front-end when visitors come to explore it.

Themes can vary from minimalistic “skeleton” designs that you can customize according to your requirements, to fully pre-designed themes with specific looks for every element on your site. Besides styling, in addition to the core WordPress features and plugins, themes can also provide theme-specific functionality that enhances your website. This functionality often includes predetermined layouts for displaying specific content, forming the structural foundation of your site.

In recent times, newer themes have introduced layouts with preset internal structure, design elements, and content – all you have to do is swap out the content for your own. This makes it simpler than ever to achieve the desired appearance for your site!

Understanding WordPress Editors

Editors are the tools you, as the website administrator, utilize to add content through the back-end of your site. They are the “how” of your website.

Editors come in various forms across a spectrum. At one end, you have the classic WordPress editor, which resembles a basic text editor. Moving along, there are simple block editors that employ a drag-and-drop system of content blocks. Gutenberg, also by WordPress, falls into the category of visual block editors. Finally, at the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find full-blown visual editors that apply your site’s styling to the back-end, providing a real-time preview of your page without ever leaving the editor.

The Confusion: Themes and Editors Blurred

With the introduction of block editors and visual editors, the distinction between themes and editors has become somewhat hazy. In many cases, themes and editors are now intertwined, each defining the other. Themes are no longer solely chosen based on their appearance; they are defined by the editors they utilize.

Gone are the days when you selected a theme solely for its visual appeal. Themes are now highly customizable, with endless possibilities due to the editor they employ. This increased flexibility enables long-term adaptability, eliminating the need to change themes whenever you desire a new look for your site.
Seeking a Fresh Look?

First begin by choosing an editor that suits your needs and skill level. Do you require a simple and traditional editor that is easy to use and adheres to a more concrete structure? Or do you prefer a robust and cutting-edge editor with greater flexibility? There’s no right or wrong answer!

Then gather inspiration from websites you admire, or collaborate with a graphic designer to create a custom design. At Worship Times, our builders can incorporate all the elements you love to craft a unique website tailored to you and your ministry. Get in touch with us at https://worshiptimes.org/contact/, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process!

Filed Under: Featured, Getting Started, How To, Technology, Themes, Tips, Tips & Tricks, WT Website Toolkit

Your Homepage is the Front Door to Your Church – Here’s What You Need to Include

June 21, 2023 by Sara Stanton Leave a Comment

Homepage as Front Door ImageIn our rapidly advancing digital age, where the majority of first impressions are made online, a well-designed, user-friendly, and informative homepage for your church is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Consider your website’s homepage as the front door to your church. It’s the first point of contact potential visitors will have with your congregation, providing them an immediate impression of who you are and what you stand for. Just as a physical front door welcomes, informs, and guides visitors, so should your church’s online presence. So, what does it take to make a compelling and inviting digital front door?

Must-Haves on a Church Homepage

1. Clear and Simple Navigation
The first key to a great church homepage is simple and clear navigation. Ensure that visitors can easily find their way around your site. Useful tabs might include “About Us,” “Ministries,” “Services,” “Events,” and “Contact Us.” A confused visitor will likely leave your site, so make your navigation intuitive and straightforward.

2. Welcome Video or Statement
Upon entering, the homepage should offer a warm welcome that encapsulates your church’s mission and spirit. This can be a brief, heartfelt video message from the pastor or a text-based welcome statement. Either way, it should convey the essence of your church in a friendly and inviting manner.

3. Service Times and Location
One of the most searched for pieces of information on a church’s website is the service times and location. Ensure this information is visible and easy to find on the homepage. Consider adding a map or a link to Google Maps for easy directions.

4. Contact Information
Your contact information, including the church office phone number, email address, and physical address, should be readily available. You might also want to include social media links, if your church is active on those platforms. Remember, your homepage is not just for potential visitors but also for regular attenders who may need to get in touch.

5. Online Services or Live Streaming
In our increasingly digital world, offering online services or live streaming has become an essential aspect of many churches. If your church offers these options, ensure they are easy to find on your homepage.

6. Ministries and Outreach Programs
Your homepage should also include information about the different ministries and outreach programs your church offers. This not only allows people to see what they can be part of but also reflects the active role your church plays in the community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, your church’s homepage is more than just a digital bulletin board. It’s the front door to your church, inviting people in and providing them with all the necessary information they need to feel comfortable and informed. Ensuring it’s user-friendly, informative, and reflective of your church’s mission and community is essential in our digital era.

So, what’s the next step? Start by evaluating your current homepage using the must-haves listed above. Which elements are you missing? Which could be improved?

Creating an effective homepage is an ongoing process. Continually test, tweak, and improve to make sure it remains relevant and engaging. If you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at https://worshiptimes.org/contact/ —we can offer insights and help you create a homepage that truly opens the door to your church.

Remember, the goal is not just to have a beautiful, sleek homepage. Instead, it’s to create a digital front door that makes every visitor feel welcomed and shows them the transformative power of your church community. Begin your journey today to create a welcoming, informative, and engaging digital entryway to your church.

Here are some examples of homepages from Worship Times Partners:

  1. St. Luke Lutheran Church
  2. Saint Thomas Parish
  3. The Church of the Epiphany
  4. Grace Episcopal Church
  5. The Church of the Holy Comforter
  6. St. John’s Norwood
  7. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Filed Under: Featured, Getting Started, Home Page, How To, Marketing, Ministry Communication Resources, Tips & Tricks

Worship Times vs. Free Builders: The Best Church Website Solution

March 18, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for any organization, including churches. A well-designed website is a powerful communication tool that can help your church engage with your congregation, reach out to new members, and share essential information. While free website builders might seem like an attractive option, there are some compelling reasons why partnering with Worship Times is the better choice for your church. Let’s explore the benefits of entrusting your website to our team of professionals.

Tailored Solutions for Your Church

Free website builders often provide generic templates that may not cater to the specific needs of a church. Worship Times, on the other hand, specializes in creating custom websites for faith-based organizations. Our team of experienced web designers understands the unique requirements of churches, allowing us to develop a website that truly represents your mission, vision, and values.

Expertise in Church Communications

At Worship Times, we are not just web designers but also experts in church communications. We understand the importance of effectively conveying your message to your audience, both visually and contextually. Our team will work closely with you to create content that resonates with your congregation and accurately represents your church’s identity.

Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design

In a world where more and more people access the internet through their smartphones, having a responsive and mobile-friendly website is crucial. Free website builders may not always offer this level of compatibility, leaving your visitors with a subpar browsing experience. Worship Times ensures that your website will look great and function seamlessly across all devices, making it easy for your members and visitors to access your content anytime, anywhere.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance

One of the key advantages of partnering with Worship Times is our commitment to providing ongoing support and maintenance for your website. Free website builders often lack dedicated customer service, leaving you struggling to resolve technical issues independently. Our team is always available to assist you with any problems or updates, ensuring your website remains up-to-date and functioning optimally. It boils down to: “how much is your time worth?”

Comprehensive Features for Your Church

Free website builders often have limitations in terms of features and functionality. Worship Times offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features specifically designed for churches, including sermon archives, event calendars, online giving, live streaming, social media management, and email marketing integration. These features will enhance the user experience for your congregation and help you streamline your church’s operations.

Enhanced Security and Reliability

Security is essential for any website, particularly when dealing with sensitive information such as online donations. Worship Times takes the security of your website seriously, implementing robust security measures and regular updates to protect your site from potential threats. Additionally, our reliable hosting ensures that your website remains accessible and performs well at all times.

Conclusion

While free website builders might seem like a cost-effective solution, they often fail to meet faith-based organizations’ unique needs. By choosing Worship Times, your church can benefit from a custom, responsive website that accurately represents your values and helps you effectively communicate with your congregation. Our expertise in church communications, ongoing support, and comprehensive features make Worship Times the clear choice for churches looking to create or upgrade their online presence.

Ready to elevate your church’s online presence with a custom-designed website tailored to your needs? Don’t settle for a generic free website builder. Choose Worship Times for a seamless, mobile-friendly, and feature-rich experience that truly represents your church’s mission and values. Contact our team of experts today at https://worshiptimes.org/contact/ and let us help you create an engaging and secure website for your faith-based community.

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