Project Plan
I have the privilege of developing a website for Zion United Brethren Church in Blissfield, Michigan. This is the church that I grew up in and that my parents still attend, so I have a personal connection with the people there and am pleased to create a space for them on the web.
Audience
The primary audience for this website is the approximately 100 people who regularly attend Zion United Brethren Church. This audience spans the age spectrum including children, youth and adults. While many of the church attenders live in or near the small town of Blissfield, Michigan, several also come from other nearby towns to attend Zion.
Secondary audiences for the website are visitors to Zion and others in the community who are seeking a church. This could include individuals and families who have visited Zion or are interested in doing so. While this audience is listed as "secondary", it is certainly no less important than the primary audience. In fact, as I design the website, I want to be very conscious of this secondary group. The people of Zion UB are very warm and welcoming, and I'm sure they'll want their website to be so as well. It will be important to choose labels and navigation systems that are easily understood by those who are unfamiliar with Zion.
Needs Assessment
I have been in contact with several individuals from Zion including the pastor, youth pastor, and a couple different members of the congregation to discuss the needs that the website should address. The greatest need is simply for Zion to have a presence on the internet. Expectations for the website are fairly low-key and include the opportunity to keep church members up to date on the happenings within the church and provide basic information to visitors.
After visiting the church and reading through the most recent church newsletter, I was able to ascertain the various components that should make up the website. Further discussion with the pastor helped me to refine my original plan.
I've also done some informal research of other church websites, noticing in particular the content, organization, and labels used by church's whose websites I find particularly well-designed.
Purpose and Goals
As mentioned above, the purpose of this website is to give Zion UB a presence on the internet. This presence will be a means of communication for current church goers, and provide basic information for visitors and those interested in learning more about Zion. Because there is not currently a website available for this specific church body, the unique contribution will be the website itself.
Content
Through discussions with church staff and attenders, a visit to the church, and observations of the church's print newsletter, I've brainstormed the following list of content components that could be included on the website.
Essential
- directions
- map
- contact information
- worship service times
- church beliefs
- staff photos and bios
Special
- programs and ministries
- photos from church events
Dynamic
- calendar of current and upcoming events
- notes (and maybe audio) from past sermons
- PDF of monthly newsletter
- updates from the pastor/youth pastor
- links to resources on the internet
Interactive
- guestbook
- prayer request/praise form
- blogs
Duplicate
- denomination information
Organizational Design
Below is a graphic organizer of the content that I plan to include on the church's website. Click on the image to enlarge.
