Concept: Something Free for Churches

May 17, 2013

Here’s something for you pastors (especially) to evaluate if your church has no web site, or a poor one. Let me know what you think (in the comments or via email), and feel free to share this with other pastors and church leaders who may be interested.

I’ve been reflecting on the free+ business model that has become increasingly popular, and I like it. Here’s a concept I’m working on along those lines.

CONCEPT BRIEF: A well-designed responsive (mobile & desktop-ready) HTML5/CSS3 web template, to give away free to churches.

GOAL/RATIONALE: (1) To provide something of value for the kingdom, particularly for churches that have small budgets; and (2) to provide a modest platform for ongoing income for me by way of value-added services.

GIFT DETAILS:

  1. Work would be under copyright and licensed only to churches.
  2. Work would be based on modern technologies such as HTML5 and CSS3, but would need no plugins or special programs on the part of the user.
  3. The design would, in a way appropriate to a church site, implement both modern sensibilities and classical proportions (e.g. the Golden Mean).
  4. The template would come with instructions, but no further included support.
  5. In view of the amount of work that will go into this project and the biblical principle that a labourer is worthy of his hire, donations from a church using the template would be welcomed but not required.

SUGGESTED VALUE-ADDED SERVICES (all prices tentative):

  1. WordPress version: $75
  2. Basic email support (say: up to 5 emails & 10 questions): $50
  3. Full setup, up to six pages, with purchase of my hosting (churches get 10% discount from prices posted at hardrockhosting.com); all content editing to be done by client; all images to be provided by client: $200 + hosting & domain registration fees
  4. Full setup as above, with WordPress (includes $75 theme fee above): $350 + hosting & domain registration fees
  5. Full setup as (3), with all services (additional images, content editing, on-site SEO, setup with Google Analytics): $400 + hosting & domain registration fees
  6. Monthly maintenance (no other package necessary): $50 & up

Assuming you like what I put together: Would this be of value to you? Do you think your church, if on a small budget, could buy into the pricing of this model?