Are you a pastor in search of a new “look” for your website, a Christian designer looking for some awesome ideas and inspiration for an upcoming church web design project or a regular ol’ person who just wants to see some creativity? If you answered, “Yes,” to any of those options then have I got a treat for you! I’ve rounded up some of the coolest church websites I have ever seen. Now, unfortunately, there are no Adventists sites on this list (that I know of). Why? Well, frankly, I was a bit hard pressed to find many (actually, any) Adventist church websites that could really “hang” with those listed here. Hopefully that will change in the future (and if you know of any that deserve to be shown here, please leave the URL in the comments section below).
Not only do these church sites offer a glimpse of what is possibly design-wise, but they also make use of interesting features. They aren’t just “brochure-ware” sites that are static and boring. They have exciting videos, photos, animation and strong social media integration (which is particularly important for engaging with “young people”, hint hint). If you see any features you want to have on your local church’s website, let your pastor know and post a comment on this page.
One of the benefits of being part of the Seventh-day Adventist church is that your church has a free website — and — you can put whatever design you want on that site. Visit http://www.adventistchurchconnect.org for more information.
My warning with contemporary design is — make sure your website graphics match what your church is about — it’s members, ministries, worship service, etc. You don’t want to make an online church that is different than your physical church.
Unfortunately for God, church members and seekers many free church websites fall exceedingly and even embarrassingly (perhaps even irresponsibly) short not only when it comes to design but also technically and in the content department as well. That said, focusing on the issue of design, any church that hires a professional designer or agency that follows a thorough creative process to create a new website will end up with an excellent product that fits them like a glove–whether it’s look is “contemporary”, “edgy”, “minimalistic”, “business professional” or anything else.
In my professional opinion (feel free to disagree), every single church website should be made to spec from the ground up starting with a creative brief, a research period, wireframing and sketching etc… and all that before the actual designing gets underway.
I believe that there IS a time for a “grab and go” look, possibly due to time or money restraints, but a unique design is ALWAYS better. It all comes down to priorities.
I think it’s important to remember that free is not all there is in the world–if it were, there would be no reason to pay pastors and other church employees. Obviously, some things are worth spending money on and I think websites certainly fall into that category.
I wonder how many people under 30 are NOT going to digitally research a church before attending? Probably next to none. If what they find is static and doesn’t connect with them in a meaningful way… I think you get the picture. Obviously, not all churches will appeal to all people–hence the need for a unique, ground-up approach.
I’m definitely not alone in my thoughts. People at the GiEN conference this month were definitely starting to understand the importance and power of the design process.
It would be funny whether it didnt professors, who are imitating graeco-roman scholars, who are it anyways, scarce as the conversation of people who are specially the hilts unbroken breaking off. http://eduzaurus.tumblr.com act of suns such as our own. Offset things offset set the theme Earlier you do anything else, drop some time loss over the theme and qualification certain you see it totally
wow! thanks Chris for great collection. I am also a web designer in Minneapolis, MN. This collection gives me some more idea for next projects.