Are Custom Facebook Pages Better Than Websites for Churches?
Websites have there place without a shadow of a doubt.
Owning your own website is excellent because they are 100% operated by YOU and YOU can do anything you want. However, they are too costly. Besides having a web page by itself DOESN'T bring you any website traffic. You must be able to DRIVE traffic to the site.
If you are a start-up, Facebook is the way to go.
On Facebook, traffic is as easy as letting people realize you have a page and once people LIKE the page, you have just began a two way conversation with them. Meanwhile, if you send them to your website, there is a possibility that they may never come back.
Because of the capability to create relationships, Facebook is better. Then include price to the mix, FACEBOOK = FREE and you have a killer combination.
You may have heard stories about owners totally abandoning their websites to start up a Facebook page just recently. We ask you to carefully weigh your options before deciding on getting rid of anything. To make you have a better understanding in that matter, we will do our best to list down the details, issues, and facts about these internet tools by asking each and every site and Facebook page owners should remember to ask themselves firstly while crucially deciding on it.
Purpose- What is the primary objective of your presence online?
Even until now, several people still thinks that a Facebook page only caters commercial establishments. If you are one of these people who thinks the same way, we have to admit and tell you that you got it all wrong.
Aside from brands, products or companies, Facebook Pages could also be used by artists, public figures or organizations (to which a Facebook Church Page belongs). The church are primarily engage in on-line ventures to get connected to more people and at the same time reach out and extend its mission field. If you still are a little bit clueless about how Facebook Pages work, a great example is the Facebook Page for Enchantment (a book authored by Guy Kawasaki) that was produced to market the book as well as its message.
Time - How much time are you willing to devote ti this goal?
Anybody who has put up a website before can testify that it takes a lot of time before it can be considered to be ready to go. It requires hands-on management, from selecting themes/designs to setting it up with the host/server. Of course there are prepared templates that can be employed, but still, if you are not "techie", you will need to get somebody to set the web pages up for you as well as preserve them. Facebook Pages on the other hand are pre-designed and just needs to be set-up correctly, no need for special abilities nor to get a host/server, therefore, almost free from maintenance. Posting is simple and fast with Facebook, you can dessiminate your post on the fly.
Cost - How much are you willing to expend for this mission?
Facebook Pages are Free and Websites can be costly. Although there are hostings, website templates, plug-ins that are being offered free on the internet, you can not use freebies if you really want to stand-out among the millions of websites online.
Functionality - What features or attributes do you want on your Page? Since Facebook pages are totally free, there are understandably limitations such as having a maximum number of followers and message sending functions. Websites on the other hand are very flexible and versatile as long as you spend for such features. However, for simple social media engagement needs, Facebook Pages' built-in features (like posting, sharing, liking, comments) are ample enough to help you meet your purpose.
Viral - How fast would you like to spread your information?
A website, unless widely promoted, will not gain high site traffic or page views on its own while Facebook Pages are backed-up with millions of daily users that contribute to better engagement with less intervention from the owner/administrator.
Audience - Who are your targeted audience?
Websites and Facebook pages are both easily accessible. The distinction? Facebook Pages admins can control whom they want to make a connection with. Additionally, they can also decide on which information that they would allow non-followers to have access to. The greatest thing about knowing how to create a like page on facebook is that its ability to allow a two-way interaction between the the followers and the page itself. Unless they utilize analytics tools, website owners do not know who goes to their websites as well as what these visitors do while they are there. On a positive note, website does not require visitors to sign-up or "like" as in Facebook.
Staying Power - How long do you plan to do this?
One of the expanding concerns of Facebook Page owners is "will I always have a page on Facebook?" Owing to the erratic online environment, these owners are concerned that Facebook may suddenly die or discontinue. In this side, Websites get an upper-hand since there is no expiration to be bothered about for as long as you shell out the bill for the site.
Both platforms like any other thing have their own advantages and disvantages While websites are fully flexible and customizable based on its owners' specifications, budget and desires, those do not guarantee traffic and better reach out. Facebook Pages are Free, albeit its limitations, its 500 million plus users is enough reason for you trust this network. You still have the final decision on which platform can really serve you the best.
Owning your own website is excellent because they are 100% operated by YOU and YOU can do anything you want. However, they are too costly. Besides having a web page by itself DOESN'T bring you any website traffic. You must be able to DRIVE traffic to the site.
If you are a start-up, Facebook is the way to go.
On Facebook, traffic is as easy as letting people realize you have a page and once people LIKE the page, you have just began a two way conversation with them. Meanwhile, if you send them to your website, there is a possibility that they may never come back.
Because of the capability to create relationships, Facebook is better. Then include price to the mix, FACEBOOK = FREE and you have a killer combination.
You may have heard stories about owners totally abandoning their websites to start up a Facebook page just recently. We ask you to carefully weigh your options before deciding on getting rid of anything. To make you have a better understanding in that matter, we will do our best to list down the details, issues, and facts about these internet tools by asking each and every site and Facebook page owners should remember to ask themselves firstly while crucially deciding on it.
Purpose- What is the primary objective of your presence online?
Even until now, several people still thinks that a Facebook page only caters commercial establishments. If you are one of these people who thinks the same way, we have to admit and tell you that you got it all wrong.
Aside from brands, products or companies, Facebook Pages could also be used by artists, public figures or organizations (to which a Facebook Church Page belongs). The church are primarily engage in on-line ventures to get connected to more people and at the same time reach out and extend its mission field. If you still are a little bit clueless about how Facebook Pages work, a great example is the Facebook Page for Enchantment (a book authored by Guy Kawasaki) that was produced to market the book as well as its message.
Time - How much time are you willing to devote ti this goal?
Anybody who has put up a website before can testify that it takes a lot of time before it can be considered to be ready to go. It requires hands-on management, from selecting themes/designs to setting it up with the host/server. Of course there are prepared templates that can be employed, but still, if you are not "techie", you will need to get somebody to set the web pages up for you as well as preserve them. Facebook Pages on the other hand are pre-designed and just needs to be set-up correctly, no need for special abilities nor to get a host/server, therefore, almost free from maintenance. Posting is simple and fast with Facebook, you can dessiminate your post on the fly.
Cost - How much are you willing to expend for this mission?
Facebook Pages are Free and Websites can be costly. Although there are hostings, website templates, plug-ins that are being offered free on the internet, you can not use freebies if you really want to stand-out among the millions of websites online.
Functionality - What features or attributes do you want on your Page? Since Facebook pages are totally free, there are understandably limitations such as having a maximum number of followers and message sending functions. Websites on the other hand are very flexible and versatile as long as you spend for such features. However, for simple social media engagement needs, Facebook Pages' built-in features (like posting, sharing, liking, comments) are ample enough to help you meet your purpose.
Viral - How fast would you like to spread your information?
A website, unless widely promoted, will not gain high site traffic or page views on its own while Facebook Pages are backed-up with millions of daily users that contribute to better engagement with less intervention from the owner/administrator.
Audience - Who are your targeted audience?
Websites and Facebook pages are both easily accessible. The distinction? Facebook Pages admins can control whom they want to make a connection with. Additionally, they can also decide on which information that they would allow non-followers to have access to. The greatest thing about knowing how to create a like page on facebook is that its ability to allow a two-way interaction between the the followers and the page itself. Unless they utilize analytics tools, website owners do not know who goes to their websites as well as what these visitors do while they are there. On a positive note, website does not require visitors to sign-up or "like" as in Facebook.
Staying Power - How long do you plan to do this?
One of the expanding concerns of Facebook Page owners is "will I always have a page on Facebook?" Owing to the erratic online environment, these owners are concerned that Facebook may suddenly die or discontinue. In this side, Websites get an upper-hand since there is no expiration to be bothered about for as long as you shell out the bill for the site.
Both platforms like any other thing have their own advantages and disvantages While websites are fully flexible and customizable based on its owners' specifications, budget and desires, those do not guarantee traffic and better reach out. Facebook Pages are Free, albeit its limitations, its 500 million plus users is enough reason for you trust this network. You still have the final decision on which platform can really serve you the best.
About the Author:
For further information on how to make a like page on facebook, feel free to visit Chad Gleaves' site.