Over at Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com, Kivi Leroux Miller frustratingly describes how "bad" web consultants can limit what their clients can accomplish by making their websites hard to update.
At iMinistries, we pride ourselves on not making those mistakes. Our church CMS is easy to update, our help system is comprehensive, and our church websites are flexible and well-designed.
Here are the three biggest mistakes web consultants make and how iMinistries stacks up.
Mistake 1: Not using a standard content management system.
"Nonprofit staff should be able to login to a content management system (CMS) to make simple changes to the text and graphics on their own sites." - Nonprofit Marketing Guide
iMinistries' church CMS is built into each one of its websites. Your church or ministry staff can log in at any time and add, remove, or edit content as you see fit. You can even determine who can manage specific sections of content on your website. With an iMinistries website, you have 100% control over what your site says and how it looks.
"Adding a new page of content, or editing an existing one, should be as simple as writing an email — which demands that consultants use content management systems." - NMG
Not only is iMinistries' church CMS built in, it is easy to use. Adding a page is as easy as creating a new document in Microsoft Word. If you can do that, you can create your own website.
Mistake 2: Not explaining how to use the content management system.
"I do ... believe that web consultants are obligated to [provide] some basic training." - NMG
Each iMinistries website is equipped with "Beginner Mode," an interactive, step-by-step tour of your new website, its many features, and how to update its content.
iMinistries also provides each new client with online written documentation as well as a growing library of video tutorials. These instructional videos provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to build and maintain your website. If you are not able to find the answer to your questions, you can also ask for assistance through our support website.
"I think good consultants should ... [help] the nonprofit learn the difference between what they should and can do themselves and what should be outsourced." - NMG
At iMinistries, we consider ourselves Web experts, and we understand some of our clients don't have that same confidence. That is why we offer extra services to help you make your church website the best it can be.
Mistake 3: Not creating adequate space in the design for timely updates.
"I’ve seen many nonprofit website home pages that look perfectly lovely, and yet are communications disasters ... Because there is very little space in which the nonprofit can make timely changes." - NMG
One of our favorite integrated features is Rotator, a large rotating header that displays banner images which you can link to news, events, blogs, and any other page on your website. As with anything on iMinistries' ministry websites, Rotator is easily updatable and allows for complete customization.
"Give your nonprofit clients at least several paragraphs worth of text they can update, especially in the key locations on the home page. Give them space where they can upload photos or embed videos — and where those can be changed easily over time without having to rely on you or another consultant." - NMG
With exception to the content built into the website's skin, every page, image, link, banner, and ad is determined by the site administrator. With an iMinistries church website, you create your content, you update your pages, and you don't have to rely on a "bad" web consultant.
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.
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