12 Steps to a Successful Website - OurChurch.Com

Be a responsible webmaster

Offer visitors a way to sign up and then opt out at any time. Be up front with subscribers about how often they will receive email from you if they subscribe.

In this era of spam, it's also a good idea to put a privacy policy on your website. Commit to not publishing or selling email addresses, and let your subscribers know it.

How often will they want to hear from you?

As webmaster, you may think the more times you email them the more they will return to your website, but you don't want to annoy people. Subscribers have to feel they are getting some value from your newsletter; otherwise they will unsubscribe.

Generally, you can send out a newsletter as often as you have a newsletter's worth of updates to announce. If you update your website once a month, subscribers will probably appreciate a newsletter once a month. If you update your website more frequently, you can probably send out newsletters more frequently although it may be wiser to include updates in a once-a-month newsletter.

Guestbooks and Message Boards

Guestbooks are another way that you can contact your site visitors. Often visitors will not leave their email address but when they do, consider it an opportunity to get to know them better and spread the word about your site. Always thank them for visiting and ask them if there is anything you can do to improve their online experience. Then listen to their suggestions and consider making changes when warranted.

Message boards foster community and give people a chance to discuss subjects that pertain to your site. They are a great way to generate repeat visits. Check out the message board for OurChurch.Com webmasters at http://forums.ourchurch.com. You can have a pre-installed message board like this with integrated chat room when you order Bronze, Silver or Gold hosting with OurChurch.Com!