| Many churches these days have gone online and | | | | blogs, forums, contact forms, video, etc. - are |
| maintain their own website, and you may be | | | | typically specialized to certain site builders. Not all site |
| wondering if a specialized church web hosting service | | | | builders and servers support all these elements. |
| is necessary for your organization. Yes, you can | | | | You may want some of these elements on your |
| maintain your website on any server you choose, so | | | | own church website. For example, a blog from the |
| why opt for one that specializes in or advertises for | | | | administrators may pique someone's interests in your |
| churches? | | | | services. Or you may want a parishioner or other |
| There are a few elements you may get when you | | | | visitor to be able to use a contact form to send in |
| choose a site that specializes in church web hosting | | | | questions without using direct email. |
| as opposed to any other site, and these are well | | | | The specialized elements that make for good church |
| worth consideration. | | | | web hosting may be available at those who |
| Price | | | | specifically advertise for churches. They may also |
| Many web hosting plans are very affordable, and you | | | | connect many different churches and have a main |
| can typically host a website for just a few dollars | | | | directory in which your church will be listed. |
| every month. If you want a simple site that just | | | | There are of course other servers and hosts that |
| gives potential visitors general information about your | | | | offer these elements and you may be able to find |
| church, this may be all you need. | | | | everything you need with other sites such as Yahoo |
| But sometimes those that specialize in hosting church | | | | or Go Daddy. However, when you use a site that is |
| websites will give you a break on the price, and | | | | set up specifically for religious organizations, you may |
| some will even host them for free! Depending upon | | | | find that they offer templates and other easier to |
| the servers they have, this hosting may include free | | | | use functions for your site building. |
| email accounts and free sub domains as well. | | | | There may be some drawbacks to a site that |
| The storage space and bandwidth may be | | | | specializes in church web hosting. For example, do |
| somewhat limited for these types of accounts, and | | | | they maintain the servers regularly so that you are |
| this will be something to consider as well. If you want | | | | protected from viruses and downtime? What about |
| to have a very large website for your church you | | | | security measures so that any information you store |
| may be better off going with a server that allows | | | | is protected as well? It can be difficult to make the |
| for more memory and bandwidth even if this means | | | | decision as to which web hosting site or package you |
| a higher cost. | | | | choose, but understanding the different elements of |
| Specialized Elements | | | | web hosting will help you to make the right decision |
| All of the elements that make a good website - | | | | for you and your religious organization. |