Best Practices
How to Build a Catholic Web Site
Mar 15th
Rome Sweet Rome
There are many articles and tutorials concerning web design, strategy, and marketing, but very few focus on the niche of Catholic evangelization. In this post, I am going to outline the strategy I used (and use) to develop, publish, market, and analyze content for CatholicTools. With using these simple techniques I have built a large Catholic blog in 3 months that attracts readers from across the country (and even the world).
As with all CatholicTools articles, this will give a good outline; however, feel free to customize each step for yourself. I am going to use resources from other websites that I find very helpful. Take note: “Don’t get overwhelmed.” Read the article, bookmark it, and come back.
Develop an Idea
Ask your self 3 questions:
- Why do I want to use the Internet to evangelize?
- What unique niche or field could I develop or write about?
- What are my goals?
Get a piece of paper and start brainstorming. For CatholicTools, I originally wanted to test if I could develop something to be at the top of Google’s search results. Well, I did that. Now my unique niche is tools that help Catholic Parishes. Specifically Catholic youth and young adult ministry. I enjoy writing about my own past experiences and sharing ideas that could help spread the Gospel.
Try to think what keeps my readers up at night? Why should a reader take the time to read my article?
More Resources
How to Choose a Niche Topic for Your Blog
Write Exciting Content
Love
But, Jason I want to buy a domain name. Before a site can be launched it needs content. Content that will be worth reading. Now, I am a horrible speller, so I try and make up for it by writing awesome Catholic content.
- Keep article length to 300-500 words (yes you can bend the rules)
- Paragraphs should be no more than 3-5 sentences. Short is GOOD!
- Use beautiful pictures (make sure they are optimized) How to Optimize a Picture for the Internet
- Make the content personal and meaningful.
- Develop 10 articles/post and write 10 more that are scheduled to publish once a week for the next 10 weeks.
- Use headings, bullets, numbers, bold, italics, and underline.
- Find someone to guest post and write some content for your site.
- Follow simple Search Engine Optimization Techniques.
- Don’t even dare worry about making money. It will distract you.
- Read other blogs/sites and mimic their style.
When I was first starting out I subscribed for 4 weeks to Copyblogger’s daily RSS feeds and Problogger. They filled my inbox with quality articles, but over time I unsubscribed because I didn’t need them anymore. However, I would suggest subscribing for the first 4-6 weeks.
5 years ago I did some work for a popular Catholic author. I suggested he give his stuff away on his blog so his blog would be the hub of information regarding this Catholic topic. The strategy worked extremely well. Many people came to read his articles, hear talks, and see pictures from events. People would leave comment, after comment on all postings. Because of this strategey he further achieved the rank of guru of his field.
This technique is call Content Marketing or becoming the Authority in your field. This is the way you should write. Give away your tips, advice, and good thoughts. Here is an excellent article on the subject. Content Marketing 101
More Resources
Learn How to Copywrite – Great Articles!
WordPress Your Publishing Platform
Mary
WordPress is a free platform that runs on a web server (we will cover later), which publishes content to the internet. Content is edited through a web browser.
I like WordPress.Org to publish my content into a website because it is free, accessible anywhere, and expandable. This tutorial is designed to show you how to set up your own web site on your own server; however you could use WordPress.Com or Blogger.
A little Homework
It is important to read the documentation if you want to learn how to use it…Or you need to hire someone to install, setup, and teach you how. It is very easy once running, but it will require a little work.
Why is it important to learn about WordPress? It’s like reading the owners manual on your new car.
Buying a Domain Name
Share a Comment
In the past I would buy .com .org .net and Dot everything else for any project I was working on. Now I just buy what I need. However, at only 10 bucks each you can easily secure yourself.
I buy domain names at GoDaddy.com. I don’t like their advertising, but they are cheap, reliable, and easy to work with.
- Always use a promo code. Google “Godaddy promo code.”
- Never buy anything else they are selling. “Just say No.”
- Ask for help and be patient.
Hosting Company
Adoration
Now you need a home for your WordPress install and domain name. Where to go? I like www.site5.com. I have used them for over 6 years and only once had a problem (which they fixed). They answer your emails, plenty of space, and low cost.
Finding a Beautiful WordPress Theme
Now the search begins for an awesome site theme. Since you probably read the documentation on WordPress you realize it’s pretty easy to add a new design to your site.
I use Mystique (I have customized my installation). Preview Here Download Here
More Themes
Search Engine Optimization
Rome is Home
Go to Google Adwords Search and search the word “Catholic” or any word pertaining to your Catholic faith. The numbers are HUGE and give a solid example of why Catholics must be on the internet.
- Register your website with Google Webmaster Tools.
- Read about Search Engine Optimization
- Track How People Find Your Content using Google Analytics.
- Install the Google Sitemap Plugin.
- Keep writing Content regularly.
These steps actually work. If what you write is worthless and nobody reads it, your ministry isn’t working. It needs to be improved. In addition it takes time. Yes, weeks, months, sometimes years.
RSS and Email Newsletters
An RSS feed is automatically generated from your site with your current publications and either emailed or downloaded to the person’s computer. It is so your audience can receive your new updates with out always checking your site.
This is important to grow, because it ensures a regular audience of readers. If you look around CatholicTools you can find strategically placed links asking readers to “Sign Up”
FeedBurner is the company that manages this service for free.
Another retention tools is an Email Newsletter. The company I like the best is iContact.com.
More on Emailing
Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
Examples
As you look around CatholicTools.com take notice of all the listed practices in place. Everything is place for a purpose. Copy it (don’t copy my content and paste it on your site, but copy it’s style).
A few more good examples of sites practicing these techniques:
Spirit Daily – Great content and Great niche
Popularity: 21% [?]
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Loading ...Divine Mercy in the Inner City
Mar 11th
Divine Mercy
This is something that I have thought about for a year! I haven’t seen it done, but I have a feeling that it would be excellent. (not because I thought it up) Stay with me.
Many city Catholic Churches have low attendance rates. However, they are beautiful big old churches with houses and people surrounding them. Most times they have high crime rates and poverty problems abound.
They also have high bell towers that can be seen up and down the street.
Those bell towers make a perfect spot to hang a divine mercy laminated picture. Read about the promises of the image.
If the tower doesn’t work, what about the rectory? What about anywhere?
Where do I buy a Huge Divine Mercy Image?
Head on over to Mercy Images. Enough said.
Want some more Divine Mercy ideas?
- Magnets for the backs of cars
- t-shirts
- Door nob stuffer for a foot evangelization project
- Business cards with the image on it (Just the image)
- Get 4×6 photos made at the store and give them to everyone with information on the back
- Posters in your school
- Pamphlets on Divine Mercy
Popularity: 29% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Why Using Short Films Makes Your Life Easier
Mar 3rd
Vatican
Ever begin planning a talk for your Catholic parish school, but quickly stop because it’s too hard? Those talks with so many facts, theories, and well language that’s hard to even pronounce?
Here’s the Remedy
Turn your talk into a short 3-7 minute length DVD. Young people are trained to glue themselves to the projection. Yes, a quite room attentively listening to your presentation. All the plans and preparation are done prior to the presentation. The best part is…you can go from classroom to classroom giving the same talk.
How to Make the Video
More resources are below (this is just the plan). These steps are for a movie using photos, youtube, and voice. It’s simple!
- Brainstorm and collect ideas/facts. PRAY to JESUS.
- Begin using google image search to collect photos
- Using iMovie (Yea I love Macs!) start placing the pictures together (Don’t forget about Transitions)
- Write Your Script
- Record Your Audio – Make it Sharp, Clean, Fast. Added Bonus: Dramatic Voice
- Now place the audio and video together.
- Fix the pictures/video to go along with the audio
- Leave a 15 second intro and exit
- Place music in background, and fade it turning your audio
- Add Transitions
- Burn your semi-professional DVD
But your missing so many little steps. Well, part of the fun is experimenting…and praying to the Holy Spirit.
Also make sure your movie is at a good fast pace. Nobody likes distorted slow transitions or lousy voice-overs.
Resources Needed to Make Video
- Digital Camera or Camcorder – I like to use one with a firewire cable if I am importing video
- Google Image Search
- Audacity Audio Recorder
- iMovie This site includes “How To” videos
- How to take video off of YouTube for Mac and How to Convert it from FLV to MOV for iMovie use
- How to Turn it into a DVD – Mac
How to Present Your Movie
- Open with a Prayer
- Give an introduction to the topic, maybe a quick story and things to watch for in the movie.
- Play Movie
- Give a little followup and answer any questions
- End with a Prayer
Yea, its that simple. This is an excellent way to teach and evangelize if you are nervous on a topic or make your life easier. In addition, many Catholic topics are hard to explain without a picture. It’s a lot easier to show a picture of a Eucharistic miracle, than to just talk about it.
More Articles on Technology
Video Conferencing for the Catholic Church
Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
10 Internet Tools Priest Should Use
The Hour of Power – Listening to the Holy Spirit
Social Networking Success for the Catholic Parish
How to Quickly Increase Donations at a Homeless Shelter
Popularity: 17% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Pro-Life Concerts
Feb 27th
Recently I received a mailing from Priest for Life. They have done good, solid, pro-life work across the country (maybe even the world).
The mailing mentioned that their Priest are “ready and waiting to come to your area to help advance the pro-life cause.”
What are you waiting for? They would make a great addition to your next meeting, event, fundraiser, or prayer event. Catholic school and parish events would be ideal.
With an added bonus they list Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA a concert pianist as one of their main priest. Father relates music to the pro-life message.
I have heard Father play and speak. He is exceptional at both. Don’t miss out.
Popularity: 14% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Sorrows of the Blessed Mother
Feb 26th
Our Lady of La Sallate cites two areas of humanity that cause Jesus much pain. First not keeping holy the Sabbath and taking the Lord’s name in vain.
A simple and small request from the Blessed Mother warning her children of the pain we cause Jesus.
Who would have thought missing Sunday Mass and using the Lord’s name as profanity would have hurt our Lord with such intensity.
“If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son. It is so heavy and weighs me down so much I can no longer keep hold of it. Apparition of the Blessed Virgin on the Mountain of La Salette on September 19, 1846
Sunday’s are busy days for families. The words from this apparition would make a good teaching lesson for any youth or young adult event.
These words of pain don’t just end in La Salette, but are continued in the interior locutions received by Father Gobbi from the Blessed Mother. These messages are printed in the book To the Priest Our Lady’s Beloved Sons. The book carries an imprimatur, which means there is nothing contrary to faith or morals in the manuscript.
In message 332 on September 6, 1986 “My heart is bleeding…My heart is immersed in a sea of sorrow.”
Why is the Blessed Mother’s heart “in a sea of sorrow?”
Humanity has not answered the call to “conversion, to repentance, and to a return to God.”
And what does she warn will happen because of it? “The greatest chastisement which the history of mankind has ever known.”
Devotion to the Blessed Mother is more important then ever. Reading her messages is great motivation and inspiration for evangelization. When ever you feel down or need some help pick up just one of the many approved messages from apparitions that have occurred from around the world.
There are plenty of insights from her words that will lend themselves to keeping your ministry on track and in the light. She was given to us by Jesus on the cross, so look to her for Motherly guidance.
What mother wouldn’t want to help her child?
Popularity: 13% [?]
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