SEO for Church Websites Explained

The reality is SEO has many levels to it.  Unless you want to take the time and dedicate hours in study, I would recommend the following for integrating SEO into your church or organizations website.  

Google and other search engines are trying to find relevant quality content.  If you can provide this on your church website it will play in your favor.  Make sure that your content has outbound links to resource your users for further information.  This will also be a win for you with Google.  Another good practice for optimizing your church websites SEO is to label all your photos so someone could identify it from its name.  There is much more to be covered in future blogs but remember content is king in the land of Google (and inbound links;)

Do photos help your church website?

The images you choose to display on your church website matter.  If you do not take the time to find quality photos you will miss the opportunity to connect to your audience.  As humans we are visual by nature.  Your church website design can only take you so far. The icing on the cake is the images you use in your rotators and pages.  Take the time to find images that communicate what you are talking about. 

This image would be a great one for a sermon podcast on confusion.  A picture is worth a thousand words so choose wisely.  

Free resource to find great photos 
creativemyk

Does Social Media matter with Church Websites

Social Media is quickly becoming the platform which information is passed along.  Before, you would search the topic on Google or other search engines.  Today, people still do this but they are also relying heavily upon their social community to provide this information.  People prefer referred information because it comes with a social contract of guaranteed and quality.  We trust our friends to share information which is relevant and quality in nature.  This is were Social Media steps in and provides an avenue of connection.  Your church website is an absolute must, but you need to communicate your communities culture, values, events and connection through an environment which already connects your church.  Facebook, twitter and the like already exist and allow for this transfer of connection and information. 

It is important your church website connects with social media.  The more your church web design allows for this the more you can leverage the power of social media. 

Praise FM Radio Network

MN Church Planters Website Launch

Roger Stacy
MN AG | Home Missions/Ministerial Enrichment Director

Roger Stacy is the Director of the Home Missions Department which facilitates our church multiplication efforts throughout Minnesota. He has served the MN Dist Council of the Assemblies of God for over 20 years.  He is also a certified Leadership Coach and has served on the National Leadership Team for the Church Multiplication Network (CMN) for the Assemblies of God.  Roger also serves as a Facilitator for the CMN Church Planting Boot Camps.

About MN Church Planters

Minnesota Church Multiplication is a resource center for the MN Dist Assemblies of God and their efforts in church planting throughout Minnesota. They aim to Elevate their ability to plant health, vibrant churches throughout the state and to Accelerate the rate at which we multiply our churches.  Their goal in the next decade is to leverage the fruitfulness of the last 8 decades to facilitate and resource the starting of 200 more churches throughout Minnesota.  

Their Website Features

The nature of MN Church Planters is to resource and network with Minnesota Parent Churches, Church Planters, and Church Planter Coaches.  To accomplish this we incorporated Blogs, Forums, and Live Streaming Video.  The following is the full list of features used on www.mnchurchplanters.com. 

HTML Page  
HTML Pages give you the ability to create and edit normal web pages.  These pages allow you to enter content, pictures, videos, and links. 

Journal - Blog
Journal allows you to create a blog within your website.  From your blog people can leave comments, search your topics, and reference any resources you have uploaded or are linked to. 

Journal Index
Journal Index allows you to index your blog pages.  This menu will represent an archived view of a particular Blog. 

Forums
Forums allow users to engage in conversations on specific topics.  They are stored on your website and are searchable by anyone, which allows people to find your site in regards to these topics.  This is a great way to engage your online community in meaningful conversations.  

Links
Links allow you to generate a page with your favorite links.  These links are very useful with Search Engine Optimization and quick access to other resources recommended by your church.  

Picture Gallery 
Picture Gallery gives you the ability to upload and manage a beautiful photo gallery.  This page allows you to label and describe any photo you upload to the website. 

Change Tracker 
Change Tracker is a tool which informs your users of any changes made to the website.  This is a great current events option for your home page. 

Single Link
Single Link allows you to create direct page links to your navigation.  This feature allows a quick way to add subpages to your navigation.  

Syndicate RSS 
Syndicate RSS presents your RSS feeds so users can subscribe to specific pages.  Any updates made on the specified page will be sent to the users subscription manager or email.  

Login Prompt
Login Prompt allows you to place a login page were users can sign in.  The different permissions given to users will allow them to see hidden pages.  This also allows you to assign website administrators.