G'day from Australia

[robertmoz]

Hi all

My name is Robert and I will be planning to get a website up and running for the Geraldton Baptist church. I am currently teaching computing at a senior college years 10-12 with a bit of web design involved.

Robert

[srmcatee]

Welcome Roger,

Do you have a URL yet? What tools are you planning on using? I would definately recommend a CMS.

[David Gillaspey]

Hi Robert,

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for posting.

I agree with Steve, though my website (which hosts this forum) has resources for all three approaches: design and build your own website, purchase a CMS -- that is , a web Content Management System -- (or use a free open-source CMS), or hire an outside design company.

Even the greatest-looking website presents the problem of how can one easily keep the content up to date, which is important. That's what a CMS is designed to do. By definition, a CMS is usually based on a design template, for better or worse. Many vendors of CMS solutions offer stock (standard) design templates for their customers; a few offer custom design services.

As you probably are aware, my list of vendors of proprietary CMS solutions is here:

http://www.greatchurchwebsites.org/CMS_main.php

and includes a link to a site that lists open-source CMS solutions.

If you prefer to work with an Australia company, it happens that the list includes one company located in Australia, Managed Content Webs (http://mcwebs.com.au). This company's CMS is based on TYPO3, itself an open-source CMS. Steve's company is also on the list; be sure to check it out, too. His product is based on XOOPS, also an open-source CMS. (Thus, both are proprietary adaptations of existing open-source products.)

I also maintain a list of graphic design companies, but at present there are only U.S.-based companies.

Sincerely,

David Gillaspey
President
Great Church Websites

[flutem3]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

G'day to you as well, Robert,

Welcome to the forum. What are you going to use to build your website? And have you had the time to ask and answer the following questions:

1. Why am I building this website?

2. For whom am I building this website.

3. What are two specific goals do I have for this website.

4. Does your pastor have ideas about what he wants on the website.

5. How are you going to get information passed along to you?

6. Who is going to read the website...different from question 2.

Some websites have pages and pages of text...church websites. And I always wonder who on earth reads all that stuff. :) People usually seem to be looking for something specific. They don't stick around very long in my experience....except when that isn't true, of course.

That's enough to get started. One of the smartest things that a person told me was that everything that went on a website needed to have a reason for being there. If there was no reason, leave it off.

This is a terrific place to be. I hope you enjoy the contact you have with everyone and that you find the answers you need.

Welcome again.

Carol

[Faithhb_lutheran]

robert,
I won't bombard you with more questions, just happy to see you here.

[robertmoz]

Hi all

Thanks for your welcome. The website is basically for people to find information out about the church before coming to visit the church, locals and new arrivals to the town.

In response to Carol, we don't actually have a pastor we use a congregational model so men are rostered on to preach. Planning to use email and speaking to people at church to get information passed on.
Church members will read the website.

Since I am working full time in another job, this will be a group effort with me project managing it

Robert

[Faithhb_lutheran]

I have yet to see a congregational system church use web ministry, this should be enlightening:)