Here's a compilation of what we learned from looking at competitor websites. I've also created a document with specific examples of websites we looked at (Google Doc).
Visuals
What inspired us...
People
Authentic community (real people together)
A sense of action or movement (people in action)
Place, context
What we want to avoid…
Lack of images or visuals that are bland
Stock or generic photos
Images that take too long to load
Visuals that get in the way of your ability to find and read information
Based on what we’ve learned…. We want our visuals that showcase real stuff happening in the life of MCC and establish a sense of place and community for site visitors. But we don’t want to be all flash and no function. They shouldn’t get in the way of your ability to find the information you need.
Overall Layout & Design
What inspired us…
Designs that feels fresh
Sites that feel clean, not too much clutter
Clear and easy to use navigation
Layouts that fit the content
What we want to avoid…
Trying too hard
Not being compelling or interesting
Based on what we learned... We want to find the balance having an engaging layout that attracts people but is also clear and easy to use. We want it to feel fresh, but also humble. We don’t want people to feel like we’re trying too hard or are too hip.
Language
What inspired us…
Language that’s welcoming (even if our community might not be the best fit for everyone, we still want to be a welcoming place)
Simple words that highlight what the church is about
Clear about Sunday service (where, when, and how to get there)
What we want to avoid...
Over communicating
Being unclear or confusing for people who don’t know about our way of doing church
Overemphasizing the wrong things
Vague language or navigation terms
Based on what we’ve learned… We want our language to tell visitors what make us unique and what inspires us as a community, but in a way that’s clear, accessible, and makes them feel comfortable enough to engage or look for more.
You can also access all of the competitor reviews in this Google Drive folder.