Notes from the Call Quarter Membership Development Series – July 2020
Without a mission statement – websites and meetings become insular
Goals of website as an outreach tool 1) empower seekers to visit 2) communicate that meeting is active and vibrant 3) define spiritual principles
DO THROUGH BOTH CONTENT AND NAVIGATION– where things are, what comes first, what is prominent
SIMPLE to navigate — 3 main things: about us, programs, join us
Use Quaker vocabulary thoughtfully — seekers most likely do not know Quaker vocabulary
Consider a separate members tab — minutes, pictures, newsletter – this area can be password protected (Does a Monthly Meeting meet only once a month? same as First Day — what day is that, especially when abbreviated in FDS)
Basic ingredients of website: visit first thing– then content and calls to action
Have short paragraphs and button points
Use hi-resolution images, color
Optimize website around what it looks like on a mobile phone
Build website so optimal path for target audience – is it seekers or members
Use consistent color and font
Text sized so you can read it without zooming in
Set up search engine optimization set to Quaker meeting (see Salem Meeting – Southern Jersey Quakers.org)
IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IDENTIFIES YOUR MEETING OR IS UNIQUE TO IT – LIFT IT UP
Features:
Consider a rotating website banner with announcements
Update events with an embedded calendar
Color coding events — worship, committees, special events have different colors
Contact form for inquiries – goes to someone, schedule meet times
Make sure pictures feature people doing things as well as the meeting house
30 second testimonials series – why go to this meeting
Square Space, Wix are drag and drop websites and often simpler for the non-expert to maintain
Square Space pluses: automatic mobile optimization +inexpensive + easy to start and maintain + easy find Google search + all in one (can imbed calendar, and send out push notifications through calendar)
Word Press + inexpensive; + widget plug in (though this does compromise security) – too flexible/customizable (a good for others) – more difficult to find using google – not look as clean
Quaker Cloud +inexpensive + built Quakers +links to PYM – no flexible in customization – difficult use with google search – platform no longer supported
Google voice #– goes to an app so a personal phone # is not given out; SHOULD RESPOND TO INQUIRIES WITHIN 24 HOURS
What is the digital presence of committees and is there a committee to oversee the digital presence? The latter should be a yes
Digital presence committee should track if people are going where we want them to go on the website
Have a site map that is indexed
Create a Yelp page –these pop up first in Google searches — google maps, photos of the meeting
The more your website is linked to other places or at other sites, the more likely it is to show up in searches
Have members use the site daily — this also sends more searches your website’s way
Website should have a name that non-Quakers / Friends would know/use
Make sure the domain name/site/host owned by the meeting not an individual or 3rd party
Using word press- install plug in security protections
Square space data is sent via email platform and can find FB/Instagram pop ups on website banner
Archive digital material– shared folder
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