- Contact information – on the homepage. This includes mailng address, phone number, e-mail address and fax number.
- Directions. This includes a map (like a Google map), parking information and public transport options. Do you provide transport services? Include info on this here too.
- Service times. keep this up to date with candle-lighting times and special, high holy day services. In text, on the homepage.
- Rabbi’s blog. If there are two things rabbis do well, it’s think and write. They should be blogging machines. If you’re thinking, “But I can’t get the rabbi to blog!” have him or her send you an e-mail every week with their thoughts, and you do a cut-and-paste job. Bonus points if you put the most recent blog posts on the homepage.
- Extra blog for special projects. This is especially for long-term projects you want to inform your members of, like renovations, new programs or campaigns like Save Darfur. Yes, start a second blog for these things. That way you don’t cloud the focus of the rabbi’s blog.
- Pictures – OF PEOPLE. If you have to show a picture of a room, make somebody stand in it. Better if multiple people are standing in it. If you can’t take pictures during services, provide arty shots of architectural highlights.
- A calendar. Keep it up to date. Bonus points if you put the week’s events or a date-picker on the homepage.
- A way to give. Do not be shy. Do not make it hard for people to figure out how to give. They want to help you out. Let them.
- Calls to action. Tell your visitors what they should do when they arrive at your site. if you want donations, say, “Donate now!” If you want them to subscribe to the blog, say, “Subscribe to the blog!” If you want them to come to an event, say, “Sign up for our next event!” Get the picture?
- A special section for potential members. Your regular Joes know what you’re all about, but your new people need special guidance. Put all the stuff they need – like directions, membership forms, rabbi’s profile – in one handy spot so they can pick it up when they come. Label it clearly, “Visitors: Click Here.”
