4. Make it easy for people to get involved.

All churches need volunteers, so make sure visitors have access to a roster of church leaders to contact in case they want to get involved. In the business world, these are known as “calls to action” – even your Web site needs to call people to get involved.

5. Give visitors a place to ask for more information.

Visitors to your site should have access to a general “contact us” area. This area could include options to register for a weekly newsletter and sign up to receive information about events or small-group information.

6. Give them tools and resources.

You need to offer them something that will keep them coming back. A “resources” page with downloadable sermon notes, bulletins, and group or event descriptions can provide visitors with tools they need; but it will also be a place to which they come back often to see what new items have been posted.

7. Make online giving easy and convenient.

Constituents will be more inclined to give freely if the process is effortless. Since people are less and less likely to carry cash or bring checkbooks into services, setting up a direct deposit or e-mail reminder can be a fruitful way to increase donations for your ministry. This can be as simple you want, or it can be integrated into your church accounting software – either way, it’s a must.