Web Design

St. John's United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, stood as a beacon of faith and community. However, its digital presence was in stark contrast to its vibrant congregation. The church's website, an outdated WordPress site, was struggling to reflect the church's dynamic mission, values, and community engagement.

The Challenge

The existing website was cumbersome, unresponsive, and visually outdated. Navigating through the site was an arduous process, hindering users from accessing vital information and connecting with the church's offerings. The challenge was not merely to modernize the website but to infuse it with the spirit and essence of St. John's UCC, making it a digital extension of the church itself.

The Solution

The redesign process started with in-depth analysis and planning. By understanding the unique needs and values of St. John's UCC, the design was tailored to resonate with its congregation and the wider community. The new website:

• Modernized Design: Fresh, clean, and visually appealing, the design incorporated the church's colors and themes.
• User-Friendly Navigation: A streamlined menu and intuitive layout ensured that users could quickly find what they were looking for.
• Responsive Design: The site was made accessible on various devices, ensuring a seamless experience whether on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
• Content Revitalization: From concise mission statements to engaging descriptions of fellowships and committees, the content was reimagined to connect with readers.
• Community Integration: New features like an event calendar and online giving options were implemented to enhance community interaction and participation.

The Result

The newly redesigned website is a testament to the spirit and mission of St. John's United Church of Christ. It's not just a site but a digital home for a community united in faith. The transformation from an outdated WordPress site to a modern, responsive, and engaging platform has empowered the church to reach out to its congregation and the broader community in ways that were not previously possible.

This project was not just about aesthetic improvement; it was about breathing life into a digital space, mirroring the vibrant community of St. John's UCC.

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1. Discovery & Planning

• Needs Assessment: Met with church leadership and stakeholders to understand their specific requirements, goals, and audience.
• Content Audit: Reviewed existing content, identifying areas for improvement or replacement.
• Technical Analysis: Evaluated current technologies and identified optimal tools and platforms for the new site.

2. Design & Development

• Wireframing: Created wireframes to visualize the site's structure and layout.
• Prototyping: Developed interactive prototypes to test and refine the user experience.
• Visual Design: Crafted visual elements aligned with the church’s branding, including color schemes, typography, and imagery.
• Development: Built the site using modern web technologies, ensuring responsiveness, and cross-browser compatibility.

3. Content Creation & Integration

• Content Writing: Revised and wrote new content that resonated with the church’s mission and values.
• Media Integration: Selected and optimized images, videos, and other media.
• Community Features: Integrated community-centric features such as event calendars, online giving, and newsletters.

4. Testing & Quality Assurance

• Functionality Testing: Conducted tests across different devices and browsers to ensure flawless functionality.
• User Testing: Engaged with real users to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
• Performance Optimization: Implemented techniques to enhance site speed and overall performance.

5. Launch & Post-Launch Support

• Deployment: Launched the site, ensuring a smooth transition from the old platform.
• Training: Provided training to church staff for managing and updating the website.
• Monitoring & Maintenance: Set up ongoing monitoring and support to ensure continuous performance and updates.

Conclusion

The execution of the St. John's United Church of Christ website redesign was a meticulously planned and collaborative effort. By understanding the unique needs of the church, employing modern design principles, and utilizing efficient web development practices, the project transformed an outdated platform into a vibrant, user-friendly, and meaningful digital presence for the community.

The success of this project underlines the importance of a holistic approach, where strategy, creativity, technology, and user-centric design come together to create a compelling and functional website that serves the church's mission.

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