Right and Wrong?
Ethical Search Engine Optimization
Ethical?
Ethical – “being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.” Synonyms associated with ethical are upright, honest and honorable. There are thousands of SEO practitioners and companies seeking to serve you, the customer, with your
Search Engine Marketing need. It would be nice to know that you were dealing with an individual or company that was upright, honest, and honorable.
Search Engine Optimization?
My favorite definition of Search Engine Optimization is, “the ability for someone to find your web presence by entering a keyword in a search engine that is applicable to your product or service.” Your online presence is optimized so that it is found by a larger number of people who need what you are promoting. Pretty cool huh!
It is amazing what is being searched for in the major search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN. In November of 2007 there were 10.8 Billion keyword searches. That boggles the mind. Forward thinking churches and ministries are tapping into that searching to communicate the message of the gospel, and build the kingdom of God.
Why does Ethical SEO matter?
Why do you have website or blog? For most people it is to deliver a message. That message might be that they have a product or service to sell. For others it could be to let others know of the benefit of their organization. You might have the spiffiest looking web presence this side of heaven, but if nobody sees it, what good is accomplished? If you are selling a product and the people who need that product can’t find you, then you are on a quick path to a failed business. If you have the wonderful message of redemption and people don’t become aware of that message, then the Great Commission is not fully realized.
There is a right and wrong way to go about just about any activity. As far as Search Engine Optimization goes, I have chosen not to cut corners or try to out smart the search engines. I don’t want my sites, or my client sites to get in trouble with Google. Choose to travel the upright, honest and honorable path. Take the ethical approach to SEO for your company / ministry and you will never regret your decision.
I welcome your comments, as well as invite you to contact me for a free consultation regarding positioning your website or blog to be found by more people who are looking for what you have.
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SEO Consultant?
SEO consultation for churches
Marketing or Outreach
Churches have been marketing the message of Jesus for centuries in a variety of ways.
- Anyone remember the large bus ministries of the 70′s?
- How about gospel radio and teaching ministries at 6:00 in the morning?
- Vacation Bible School
- Television Ministry
- Tract Distribution
- Seeker Friendly Services
All of these tools have had a certain level of effectiveness over the years. In fact, some congregations are so firmly entrenched in these approaches that they are suspicious of other effective tools that emerge from others experience, or new technologies.
What benefits can come from using a consultant for online outreach?
- Cost Saving
- Focused Approach
- Expertise
- Did I Mention Cost Savings?
It is impossible to be an expert in every area. Pastors and church leaders have limited experience with online marketing. Even if they had a sufficient understanding, not many of them would have the time or ability to implement the strategies of a well rounded Internet marketing plan. Oh, and did I mention cost savings?
Reason not to use a consultant?
Yep, there is a very good reason for not using a consultant to plan and execute your online marketing program … Truth be told, there are churches out there that do not want to grow. They have become complacent and comfortable in their existence and reaching out to others just produces a situation that is “messy” in their eyes. These groups would certainly not want to utilize Internet marketing. Why? Because Internet marketing works.
No obligation to find out …
I invite you to contact me for a free consultation. We can explore together whether it makes sense for your organization to hire a consultant to plan and implement your online outreach.
Great Commission and the Internet?
Great Commission and Internet – Compatible?
Should Christians utilize the Internet in their strategy of fulfilling the Great Commission?
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.“ (Matthew 28:18-20)
Media has always been effective in communicating the message of the gospel. The printed page has been a favorite tool since just after the first printing press was created in 1450. AM and FM radio stations have been dotted with Christian outreach programs for many decades. Television has also been an effective tool for spreading the message.
All of the above have one inherent drawback. Cost. Comparatively speaking, the cost of spreading the message through the Internet is anywhere from 200% to 1000% more cost-effective. This is good news for congregations and organizations that want to get the greatest effect for their money invested.
So what exactly can be accomplished through the Internet?
(1) Sharing the WORD. Churches can write web or blog pages that share the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They can quote scripture in the page/post that can be used by the Holy Spirit to generate life. Provide links to online Bible sources in multiple languages.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
(2) Teaching. Formatting lessons for the web is a pretty straightforward process. If you really want to take it to the next level, take advantage of interactive media learning environments. You can test comprehension, as well as produce content in multiple media formats to ensure that the trainee has the best chance of encountering a learning style that suits them best.
(3) Revenue generation. It is possible to create an online environment that is self-supporting through the use of creative fund-raising, affiliate marketing, or ad serving.
(4) Encouragement. Instantaneous interaction with workers and believers worldwide is a blessing that we risk to lose site of if we are not careful. Peer-to-peer communications opens a whole new dynamic for evaluating the progress of the work.
This is just the tip of the iceberg on the subject. I invite you to share other ways in which the message of the gospel could or should be implemented on the Internet.
Welcome to Ministry Maven
Search Engine Marketing for Churches?
I have a strong desire to share with churches and religious organizations how to use the internet to spread the message of the gospel, as well as share the value of their ministries in the geographic areas that they serve.
My work here is just beginning to unfold. I will try to get great information up as quickly as possible, and I
invite you to return on a regular basis to monitor the progress.
There are many internet tools that are being used effectively by businesses to drive targeted traffic to their web presence. These tools essentially provide greater opportunity for people or companies who need a particular product or service to connect with those who can provide them. One party has a need … another party can meet the need. In the same way, there are those who in many ways, shapes, and forms, need the message of redemption and belonging that Christianity can provide. Why not use some of the same tools to connect those who seek with those who have the message to share?
The question is how do you use tools like:
* Search Engine Optimization
* Paid Search Marketing (sometimes called pay-per-click)
* Email Marketing
* Social Network Marketing
to market a church or religious organizations? That is what we are going to explore, and in many ways it is the same question that I have myself. I encourage your input and feedback through the process. What would the world be like without great collaboration?
Cheers!
The Maven
