church

...for the love of everything sacred and holy, do not use the term "Web 2.0" or say "we are joing the social media revolution."

We are not in some crazy new age of the web, nor are we in a revolution. The Internet is in a constant stage of evolution, and reorganization. There will never be a point at which the web will upgrade to 'Web 3.0,' or even 'Web 2.1.' So stop using that term!

The 'Web' is not a software product. It is a relatively new medium by which humans communicate. When television went color, it wasn't called "TV 2.0."

Web 2.0 is a buzzword that needs to die. Any organization that uses this term is dating itself and making the Church look passé and behind the times. Instead, say "we are constantly adapting our Gospel message to the latest technologies, and using social media to communicate this message to others on a more personal level."

Of course, if you say this, you have to follow through! Don't ever be content with where you are. Always innovate, always be adaptable. The world is not a static place, and neither is the Web.

I have been asked more times than I care to recall if I know of any good example parish websites, and, if not, what would make a good parish website.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any parish website I would say is "great." A couple "good" or "okay" ones, maybe, but nothing to call home and tell my Mom about. So, what are my criteria for a great parish website? One of which I would be proud to call myself a member?

Design

The website must be pleasing to the eye (just like the Church should be). An ugly, or 90s-looking site, doesn't attract or hold my attention. It must follow the simple principles of design: color, appropriate use of negative space, a common theme, and good font design must all be taken into account.

Design also means the site is easy to navigate. It should have only a few main navigational options, and shouldn't be jumbled with a boatload of information on every page—and most especially the home page. (Read more on this topic).

Organization

Know thy audience. What is the most important information for those coming to your website? Are you targeting your parishioners, or visitors, or both? Is the school website separate, or integral to the parish website?

WAY too many parish websites start with a cruddy 'splash' page that takes a long time to load, looks stupid, and wastes my time. Give me the parish page by default, and let me click over to the school page if need be.

There are a few things which, in my mind, must be one every parish website's home page: Continue Reading »

[Update: Also, check out our list of (Arch)Dioceses on Facebook!]

For some time, I've been looking for a listing of Archdioceses with a presence on Twitter (I follow about 10 or so of them, but I know there are many more. I'm going to post all the ones I know of here, and hopefully people can find others that aren't listed here and post them in the comments below. I'll update this post as more are identified. Here's the list:

Archdioceses

• Archdiocese of Saint Louis, MO - @archstl
• Archdiocese of the Military - @MilArchUSA
• Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.) - @WashArchdiocese
• Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA - @archdioceseofno
• Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD - @archbalt
• Archdiocese of Milwaukee, WI - @archmil
• Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA - @archatl
• Archdiocese of Detroit, MI - @DetroitCatholic
• Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA - @ArchCommPhila
• Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM - @ArchSantaFeCBR