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Features of Web Designs for Religious Institutions
A religious institution by definition is an institution that is established for not-for-profit and is for religious purposes only. Basically it is an establishment, organization or association instituted to advance or promote religious purposes or beliefs. Places of worship such as churches, mosques, temples and synagogues, charities supported by religious organizations and religious societies founded by members of a faith all come under the umbrella of religious institutions.
Religious institutions are now rapidly realizing the amazing power of the internet, not only to inform people about their faith, but to help convert people or to find new faith as well. The internet is proving itself as both a versatile medium and an effective marketing implement. Religious institutions are now more than ever turning to the web to attract more followers. With over 900 million internet users, religious institutions have come to understand the power of the net.
Features of Web Designs for Religious Institutions
Almost all religious institutions have more or less the same common web design features and characteristics, which includes:
An Announcements Page
This page usually contains various announcements of the concerned religious institutions.
Photo Gallery
Here religious institutions put up photos and images of their places of worship and prayer/religious leaders.
Guest Book
Visitors and faithful alike can post entries in an online guest book provide these institutions with useful information about their site and features.
Message Boards/Discussion Forums
Visitors can post messages or participate in online discussion forums or live chats with religious leaders about their faith.
Contact Page
This page includes a list of senior clergy and laity that can be contacted along with a phone number and/or email address.
Links Page
This page links visitors to other similar religious web pages and sites.
Site Map
This map of the site will help people to find their way around the website.
Multimedia area
Here audio, video or flash clips are kept which are usually about the religious institution, its history and achievements and work in the community.
FAQ page
This page is a list of questions with links to the answers frequently asked about the organization, its workings and its praying methods.
Mailing List / Newsletters
Newsletters allow these religious institutions to keep in touch with their faithful and provide them with spiritual material to help them with their faith, as well as provide articles about happenings in the community both on a local and global level.
Calendar/Events
All religious institutions have a special events online calendar that keeps visitors up to date on the latest happenings in the institution, as well as when religious occasions are approaching or where certain religious prayer sessions will be held.
Articles & Press Releases
A very common feature in most religious institution websites are articles and press releases about the religious institution and its achievements.
Careers
This page contains career opportunities in the religious organization for members.
Education
This section provides visitors with educational and spiritual books about their faith, and from where they can be purchased. As well as information about local and foreign universities, colleges and seminaries where one can go to increase their faith.
Online stores
A lot of religious institutions have online stores where religious memorabilia, artifacts and books can be purchased about their respective faiths.
Online Donations
Most religious institution site have an online donation are, where one can donate money or their time to their faith.
Prayer Timetable
This is timetable or guide for when and where various prayers or religious services are held and at what time.
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