OurChurch.Com has been serving Christian organizations for nearly 20 years. As a result, we are continually receiving calls and emails from technology companies asking for us to partner with them so we can offer their products and services to our clients.
In the past five years, the most common type of organization that contact us are app developers. They figure that if we are providing a website to clients, a natural add-on would be an app. However, the question I ask is, “Is an app necessary if the client has a responsive website?”
For organizations like churches, schools, and ministries, they are trying to provide information to those who are searching for an organization like theirs as well as keeping the members, parents/students, or supporters informed and engaged.
With the exception of a very few specific examples, we have found that having a responsive website (one that will recognize the type of device being used to access it and display the best format for that device) is the best option and an app is not only not needed but is not recommended.
Below are the 2 main reasons that your organization should NOT have an app:
- The biggest issue that most Christian organizations have with their web presence is that they struggle to keep their content fresh and updated. How many times have you been to a church site in January where the information about the Christmas service is still displayed? Adding an app to the content that needs to be updated just adds more work to the over-taxed staff or volunteer base.
- In addition to having to update two platforms up to date, adding an app will add cost to the web/communication budget. 99% of the organizations I speak with tell me that finances are tight, so why pay for something that your website can already do for you?
What are your thoughts? Have you found that an app for a church, school, or ministry was necessary? Please post your comments below?
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President at OurChurch.Com
Mark has served as the President of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, leading the Custom Website and Sales departments with dedication and expertise.
Over the years, he has managed hundreds of custom website, graphic design, and marketing projects for churches, non-profits, businesses, and schools.
Beyond his professional work, Mark is deeply committed to serving his community. He coordinates and packs over 700 meals each week for children through One Community Now’s Pack A Sack for Kids program, volunteers in the Children’s Ministry at Generations Christian Church, and participates in a weekly Bible study.
2 Comments
We use Ekklesia 360 as our website platform. Through a partner venture with Blue Ridge our mobile app updates almost fully automatically once we post information on our website. So, we do not have to input separate information to our app and keep it updated separately. I just wanted you to know that what you stated is not true in every case. Yes, there is extra cost, but we believe it provides us with another method of reaching our congregation and visitors.
Brian, thank you for your input. I am glad to hear that the app updates automatically when you make updates to your website.