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    Church Website Best Practices - Entries from July 2010

    Home - Blog - Church Website Best Practices - Entries from July 2010
    MonMondayJulJuly19th2010 Improving Search Results Case Study - Harvest Bible Chapel
    Posted Monday, July 19 2010 @ 9 AM byBryan Young Tagged Best Practices for Church Websites Improving Google Search Results 0 comments Add comment

    BACKGROUND

    Problem

    HarvestBibleChapel.org ranks low in simple Google searches using key words.

    Recommended Solution

    Implement standard SEO practices including:
    • Revising content
    • Revising site title format (as seen on top of window)
    • Adding Meta tags
    • Changing menu headings

    Project Goals

    To boost the Google search ranking to the top 10 website listings in each of the primary search terms. Simultaneously increase the website’s grade on WebsiteGrader.com.

    Time Line

    One week, from Wednesday, January 27 to Wednesday, February 3, 2010.


    IMPLEMENTATION

    Revising Content

    Every instance of “Harvest” was changed to “Harvest Bible Chapel” in the website page’s content, where it was possible. “Harvest Bible Chapel” is the search phrase most used by visitors arriving via a Google. Increasing the use of this phrase in site content increases the site’s ranking when entered in a search inquiry.

    The link title “Pastor James’s Blog” was changed to “James MacDonald’s Blog” to increase ranking when “James MacDonald” is entered in search inquiries.

    Revising Site Tile Format

    The previous site title (which appears at the top of the Internet browser window) was changed from the format “[Site Title] – [Page Title]” (ex. “Harvest Bible Chapel – Main Site – New To Harvest?”) to the format “Harvest Bible Chapel | Dr. James MacDonald | [Page Title].”

    Removing the site title and replacing it with “Harvest Bible Chapel” makes it more clear to Google what this site contains. Adding “Dr. James MacDonald” also will improve the search ranking for those who search this phrase.


    Adding Meta Tags

    No Meta tags were in place before this implementation. The description, which appears under the Web site listing in Google search results, was added as follows:

    “Harvest Bible Chapel is one church meeting on five campuses in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois led by Senior Pastor James MacDonald.”

    Mentioning the key phrases “Harvest Bible Chapel,” “James MacDonald,” “church,” and “Chicago, Illinois” positively influences the Google search rankings for these phrases.

    Keywords act as magnet words for Google search inquiries. Sites that include keyword Meta tags improve their search ranking when those words or phrases are searched. The following keywords were added:
    • Harvest Bible Chapel
    • HarvestBibleChapel.org
    • Harvest Bible Chicago
    • James MacDonald
    • Walk in the Word
    • Harvest Bible Fellowship
    • Chicago churches

    Changing Menu Headings

    The menu heading “About Harvest” was changed to “About Harvest Bible Chapel.”

    RESULTS

    Google Search Rankings

    Search rankings for each of the key phrases improved dramatically after only two days.

    Results Before SEO

    Results After SEO

    41 "harvest bible chapel"
    		 1 "harvest bible chapel"
    1 "harvestbiblechapel.org" 1 "harvestbiblechapel.org"
    ? "James MacDonald"
    		 3 "James MacDonald"
    23 "Dr. James MacDonald"
    		 6 "Dr. James MacDonald"
    7 "harvest bible"
    		1 "harvest bible"

    Website Grade

    The website’s grade from WebsiteGrader.com increased more than four points after the SEO implementation.

    Before SEO

    Results After SEO

    91 Overall Website Grade
    		 95.6* Overall Website Grade
    2 Google PageRank
    		 2 Google PageRank
    154 Google Indexed Pages
    		 138* Google Indexed Pages
    94 Blog Grade
    		 96.5* Blog Grade
    1,012 Inbound Links
    		 1,012 Inbound Links
    2,425,735 Traffic Rank
    		 2,450,000* Traffic Rank

    		* average

    Free Trial

    We believe the best way to describe our tools is for you to try them out yourself. We offer a 15-day free trial account which will give you a few days to use all of the features available to our paying clients. There's no risk and no obligation. Who knows, you might even enjoy the new control you have over your very own website.

    Create Your Free Trial Account

    FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

    Increase Google Page Rank and Inbound Links

    The biggest influence on Page Rank is inbound links (other websites linking to HarvestBibleChapel.org). The higher the Page Rank of the sites linking to you, the more influence it has on your Page Rank. HarvestBibleChapel.org has relatively low inbound links, so it is crucial to develop more.

    The challenge is that this site is more of a “hub” which directs many users to the campus websites so the amount of content it contains, and the frequency in which its content changes, is less than other church websites of a similar size (harvest.org, willowcreek.org).

    Finding a way to develop more inbound links is important to increase the site’s traffic and it’s Page Rank. Sites to get inbound links:
    • Local universities (.edu sites’ links carry more weight)
    • Facebook (fan pages, personal profiles)
    • Extension ministries: HCA, HBF, Walk in the Word, should all be linking back to this site)
    • Twitter: a Harvest Twitter account would drive traffic and add links
    • Other free sites: Chambers of Commerce, church directories, etc.
    ThuThursdayJulJuly8th2010 Glory Books Ministry
    Posted Thursday, July 08 2010 @ 9 AM byTravis Hickox Tagged Free Quote 0 comments Add comment
    Because of a glowing recommendation from Jeff Terrell of Harvest Bible Chapel Kansas City, Masters Seminary theological professor Greg Harris came to us asking for help. After having four different websites that promoted his growing library of published books as well as a blog, he wanted to consolidate everything into one website. More importantly, he wanted to have better control of editing the content on his website.



    It certainly proves that word of mouth is clearly the best advertising...thanks Jeff!

    In customary fashion, after launching each website we like to get feedback so that we can learn from each one of our customers. This is what Dr. Harris had to say:
    I highly recommend iMinistries. They have been wonderfully knowledgeable about web design, and wonderfully patient with me who knows so little about it. There is nothing that I am aware where they did not follow through on what they told me--and often very quickly. There design was superb and professionally done.

    Now that we have done our updated website, I cannot imagine doing it with anyone else.

    Dr. Greg Harris
    Professor of Bible Exposition
    The Master's Seminary
    Teaching Pastor at Lake Hills Community Church, Castaic, CA
    MonMondayJulJuly5th2010 Is Your Homepage Attractive? Part 5: Ads
    Posted Monday, July 05 2010 @ 9 AM byTravis Hickox Tagged Best Practices for Church Websites Is Your Homepage Attractive 0 comments Add comment

    5. Ads

    In the past few blogs, we explored how to improve the look of your homepage by writing compelling content, adding thumbnails and highlights, and by creating a custom scrolling header. In this blog, we'll explain how ads can be the finishing touch on the first page your visitors see.

    The goal of your homepage is to "convert" your vistor--to convince them to stay on your site longer, see what your ministry has to offer, and hopefully visit your ministry in person or contact you for more information. One way to do this is to show them what's happening with you. You can do this on a large scale with scrolling headers, but you can also do this by creating and uploading ads.

    Just like a business would use advertisements in newspapers, billboards, or television, you can advertise your upcoming events, latest news, podcasts, or blogs in the same way. The goal is the same--to get your audience to buy what you're selling. In this case, you are selling your ministry and your ministry website's offerings.

    On your iMinistries website, you have a designated place where ads will display, depending on your skin. Most ads show above highlights in the right column. And with iMinistries Rotator feature, you can easily add scrolling ads to maximize the use of this space.

    Step 1:     Create your ads to "sell" the content of your choice.
    Step 2: Make a Rotator, add slides, upload your images, and link them to your content.
    Step 3: In your site's Content Administration, use the Widget feature to add your Rotator as a ad.



    Free Trial

    We believe the best way to describe our tools is for you to try them out yourself. We offer a 15-day free trial account which will give you a few days to use all of the features available to our paying clients. There's no risk and no obligation. Who knows, you might even enjoy the new control you have over your very own website.

    Create Your Free Trial Account

    MORE RESOURCES FOR ADS

    What is An Ad? How Do I Create an Ad? - iMinistries Knowledgebase
    What is Rotator Admin? How Do I Create a Rotator? - iMinistries Knowledgebase Video
    ThuThursdayJulJuly1st2010 Free Church Website Design - Elah
    Posted Thursday, July 01 2010 @ 9 AM byTravis Hickox Tagged Free 0 comments Add comment
    "So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him." (1 Samuel 17:50)

    This skin was originally called Minimalist, because of its simplicity, clean lines, and neutral color scheme. We now call it Elah, after the Valley of Elah, where David fought and defeated Goliath. Against the Philistine giant, David used the most simple weapons, five smooth stones and a slingshot. A reminder that it's not always about the tools you use, but how effectively you use them.

    SKIN FEATURES

    • Your logo in the header
    • Custom rotating banners
    • Right column highlights
    • Customizable left column menu
    • Social media links
    • Four feature ads created by us
    • Search bar

    HOME PAGE

    • Left column highlights
    • Latest News
    • Latest Events
    • Recent blog posts

    EXPLORE A WEBSITE USING ELAH >>
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