Before you begin to build your website there are a few things you need to think through even before you fire up that new html editor.

Step 1: Defining Your Purpose
The first step (and it is often neglected) is to determine the purpose of your website. Too often a website lacks the focus of a clear purpose and readers quickly are confused and give up.  Ask yourself questions like these:

• What am I trying to accomplish through this website?
• What unique resources or information do I want to make available?
• What am I passionate about? Experienced in? What are your unique interests? What is your expertise?
• What do I have to offer people that they really want or need?
• If a first time visitor were viewing your website what information would be important or helpful?

The key then, is to determine what kind of information you can offer your reader that will meet a need. New Hope Ministries website (one I designed) is clear about it's unique purpose: "To offer new hope and encouragement to people coping with cancer and other trying times".  Dr. Packo is a cancer survivor and the author of a book on "Coping with Cancer".  Together we determined that his ministry could be expanded through the internet by making his materials available through a website.  We added a few other things that fit with the purpose: a weekly devotional geared to people coping with cancer, for example.  We designed the website around a clear sense of purpose.  It is unique and has meaningful content that meets a need.  As such, I believe it is a good example of a website with a clear sense of purpose.

On the other hand, I see web-sites all the time that offer nothing unique.  I'm sure that you enjoy looking at pictures of your pet, but I'm not going to wait for your picture of fluffy to download...I'm moving on to something else.  Some information about yourself is fine...but a ministry website is not a monument to yourself... but an opportunity to share meaningful information to people-- to minister to them at their point of need.

It is possible to have more than one purpose... but if you do it helps to organize the site in a way that groups pages according to purpose.  For example, in my webpage, Pastor Jeff's Neigborhood, each section of my neighborhood has a unique focus and purpose.  The Office is there to provide illustrations and quotations to fellow pastors.  I like to collect illustrations and quotes, and that interest led to the content of that section.  The Beach's purpose is to highlight Christian Links to websites that I've enjoyed visiting.  The Playground...well we're not so sure what the purpose of that is... other than a place to have fun...an outlet for my overdeveloped sense of humor.  Another area that interests me greatly is "Prayer" and so the "Woods" is an area of my neighborhood I hope to develop more fully with "prayer resources".

When you develop your website, keep the purpose in mind.  Think of various ways to meet that need.  Try to minimize distractions (for example, pages that aren't in keeping with your purpose).

My advice: find a niche where your unique passions, experiences and interests can be utilized.  Look for a way to meet a need in that area.  Begin to develop the content that will provide information about that subject that will meet the needs of people:  then you are well on your way to creating a website with a ministry.

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Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood
Faith Alliance Church
New Hope Ministries