Need help building web site Super Newbie

moved this from here http://www.techsoup.org/forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=read&forum=2002&id=49956&cid=117
to make the request easier .
I would guess money is an issue, for free or shareware apps would be great. The user is running XP
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Our Church has a total membership body of about 100. Most members are aging and think a web site is something to dust off from under the stairs to the basement. Time and funds allowing, I would like to get them a computer and would like to get us onto a web site to possibly attract a few new members. We may be a small congregation but we have a nice Sunday School program. Am I biting off more than I can chew? My computer skills are well... let's just say I could be a top contender for a computer illiteracy poster child award of 2002. So sorry for dumping all of this on TechSoup at once but I just found this site last night and was too excited to contain myself. Any help greatly appreciated- Laura
My OS is XP.

Laura,

Check out:

www.zionlutherannj.org

It's hard to say if you are getting in over your head... how quickly can you learn, and are you willing to put some effort into learning?

Sorry, but your ability to type disqualifies you from the poster child competition....

Depending on your budget and your need to project a professional image, you should be able to create a basic web site in a couple of weeks. It would be best to get a book and do a little research in the Internet to get an idea of what you are thinking about doing.

If you can use a word processor, you can create a web page. If you intent is to reach more people, then you should be able to do that. But since your current membership does not have web skills, you must be looking to reach a different type of member from what you already have...?

Also, just having a web site does NOT mean the world at large will suddenly know about you.

Having a web site is great, but you may want to take another look at what you are trying to accomplish with having a site. Holding pancake breakfasts or getting some coverage in the local media may get you much better results than spending time and energy with a web site. It doesn't sound like many of your current members will be able to enjoy your work.

But for me, a web site is always a good idea, so if I haven't completely descouraged you, let's talk more about what you want to do and how to do it, ok?

Thanks,
Christian
christian@nielsentech.com

There was a person a year or so ago that had no idea what any codes were or meant. Yet went ahead and with the help of a volunteer webmaster went ahead and created a website. This website was responcible for the growth of an organizatron.
Several suggestions many of which I have used.
1. sign up with Volunter Match (it's free) as well as Idealist (also free) list your need. You most likely will get replies soon that will volunteer to work with you.
2. With your description of your congregation make sure you site is accessible to all.(see other postings on this page)
3. Try Gateway or Microsoft for programs to get computers.
Our Organization did it and you can do it too. Then you will join me on my "Learning Experience"
Please feel free to visit our site www.wsana.org to see just how we did it. My church just went on the internet I believe it is PilgrimCongrgational.net

I think we may be able to assist as we are currently offering free site design for select nonprofits. You can look here to learn more. If you have any questions, just let us know!

All the best...

JME- what a beautiful web site! I particularly liked the snow gently falling in the photo of the Church. I peeked around and noticed that it was extrememly well organized. Additionally, the site was easy to maneuver around in. I am keeping this bookmarked as a sample of what can be done. Great job!
Laura

Christian SEO- I have the capacity to learn and am willing to do so. You indicated getting a book and researching the Internet might be in my best interests. Would you please be so kind as to recommend two such books. On second thought, three recommendations would be preferrable.

Regarding membership at our Church, it has declined due to the natural attrition rate associated with aging and death. The immediate area surrounding the Church is also aging. On the flip side of the coin, the other areas surrounding the Church Community have grown. The Church is an Evangelical Free Church yet the yellow page advertising does not denote same. This must be addressed so as to insure that those who may be interested are aware of the associated denomination of the congregation. Regarding a web site, I would like to see our Church at least listed with other Evangelical Free Churches should somebody be doing an Internet search. Right now, we don't exist- not on Google, not on Yahoo, not anywhere. This needs to be addressed. Nothing fancy as far as a web site goes, just where we are located, contact numbers, a photograph of our Pastor, and a photograph of the physical Church. Should a need for more information on a web site arise in the future, well then there is something there for somebody to expand and improve upon. A professional appearance to a web site is not as important as having a presence. It appears we have a fundamental need to be able to be located should someone be interested.

Incidentally, my expectations regarding what a web site could do for us are not unrealistic. I just want to be able to be found should anyone be looking. I do see incredible future potential. Computers are a good thing providing everyone has access to same and that would not be the case for this congregation. For right now, we need to rely upon old snail mail and Parish bulletins handed out at services. We must respect the elderly members of the congregation who may not have the funds or the desire to get an e-mail address or Internet access. This is reality. Old ways die slowly and incredibly, we have members who are incapable of programming their tv remotes.

Oh Christian... I got a digital camera for my birthday and I know how to use it and the associated software. This means I could actually photograph the Church and the Pastor myself.

So... I lose out on the computer poster child illiteracy of 2002 award because I can type?- well... I am disappointed and was counting on staking my claim to that award. Please do not confuse education with computer literacy. I may be well educated but that means nothingness right about now. Here's what I know- I know enough to know how much I don't know. Does that sum it up?

As pertains to a budget for this web site, my money and what I can afford are the limitations. Little strokes fell great oaks and I am not an impatient person. Time is on my side. I would prefer to begin this process slowly and methodically. Best to do little well than to do a lot poorly. Everybody needs a starting point. You indicated that if I could use a word processor that I could create a web site. So far this would be a basic indication I am not in over my head which is a very good start.

You have not discouraged me. Where to from here?

Laura

JoelH- How do I sign up with VolunteerMatch and Idealist? Regarding a computer, a little premature as I need to identify what needs the Church may have. We are in our infancy right now. I also need to better familiarize myself with hardware. Additionally, the old organ basically died and the congregation had to purchase a new/used one and it will take them about two years to recover from that. I suspect I will be on my own so I will be contacting the organizations you mentioned. Abbott also has a track record of being very generous and I will also be inquiring with their organization as they are located here in Lake County Illinois. For now, I will use the computer I have at home to conserve my resources. I have just forwarded your www.wasana.org website on to one of our case workers. I actually have a need to keep current on ADA issues AND I live in Illinois. I will also be forwarding it on to another case worker who is associated with RCL here in Illinois. They are a small organization which focuses on the cognitively challenged. They do a great job and I have the utmost repsect for the work they do with the developmentally delayed. The actual web site to your Church is www.pilgrim-congregational.org/. Took me a while but I found it. What a beauty! You must be very proud. Another very well organized site and I particulary enjoyed the history! I can invision someday having a site like this but right about now all I would like would be recognition for existing- that would sure please me. Last but not least... how do I join you on your Learning Experience? Is there an online class I should sign up with you to take? If there is, count me in.
Laura

eNonProfits- Hmmmm... point click and build? I like the sound of this and it would appear I have the skill set for this. I signed up for your newsletters and am going to do a little more checking around on your site. The way your group lays it out looks very appealing. You mentioned that if I had any questions, I should ask. My greatest concern is to create a simple web site not dependent on ads or loading people who visit with little cookies or worse. Is it possible to utilize a free service without these little nasties? Sometimes it is best to pay and I learned my lesson the hard way downloading all those free screen savers for kids. Oh my gosh, I had no idea what I did to my computer when I visited all those free web sites. I would like to avoid this situation at all costs as I know how incredibly violated I felt upon discovery of what I actually downloaded. With what I do for a living, I am embarrassed to admit I did not read the EULA's. Now I pay for everything that I download even if it is allegedly free. I guess I am afraid that some free web site is going to load up everybody who visits a web site I might create.
Laura

Laura...

Quite alot of information there... you're on the right track! Our services are privately hosted, there's no need to worry about pop-up ads, there are no banners, or cookies, and your visitors are not tracked by us. Our clients are able to do what they want with our system within limits. The hosting is not free... rather it is very affordable considering what's out there. The "free" yoiu may be referring to is website design for nonprofits.

Regards...

Hi Tim- I liked template #1533. It looked promising. OK, so there are no little popups, popunders, banners, or cookies to annoy everyone and send them packing to B'nai Shalom down the street- that's encouraging. It did not appear your site had a search engine to be able to look specifically for templates appropriate for a religious organization. Is this a site user error on my behalf? Maybe you could point me in the right direction. I found one template, there have to be more. Thanks much, Laura

Thank you very much for the compliments on the web site. One of the things I like to do is to keep fresh content available to encourage people to come back again.

Try this link for free religious advertising:

http://www.ecki.com/links/srlgs.shtml

In addition.....listing in Yahoo's directory is FREE for non-profits. Also, submit your site to the Open Directory Project (http://dmoz.org/). This will submit your site to AOL Search, DirectHit, HotBot, Google, Lycos, Netscape Search and others.

Also, list your site in http://www.bigyellow.com/ , the internet Yellow Pages (also free).

It has been my experience in the past that "free" website design companies are very slow to respond to changes and updates. If your content doesn't change frequently, there will be little incentive for visitors to return. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is usually true.

It is to your advantage to seek out free or inexpensive website hosting (www.doteasy.com) and then find an affordable website design solution that will respond quickly and thoroughly to your needs.

Just a word of caution that some posts may reflect the biases of the poster. For example, some posts may point out the advantages of a poster's own services and the disadvantages of other options. Since this is an open forum, this is ok as long as the representation is reasonably accurate, but readers should use common sense and their best judgement when assessing the relative value of such posts. While many email lists and web discussion lists have policies that disallow self-advertising or self-promotion, this is allowed here~~at least up to a point. A best practice I'd encourage is for posters to state explicitly when they have a financial or organizational interest in a service that they recommend.