May was blogging month here at OurChurch.Com, and we’ve decided to continue our focus on blogging into June. That means we’re continuing to offer the following opportunities:
- Special deal on web hosting
- Become a better blogger in 31 days
- An opportunity to promote your blog
Plus a word about some changes coming to Christian Web Trends.
First, let me say that for years we’ve kept announcements related to our web services separate from the blog. But hey, it’s blogging month, so I thought I’d experiment with putting this in the blog.
1) Special Deal on Bronze & Ad-Free Option
While there are several sites that offer free blogging services, to maximize the benefits of blogging, it’s best to have your blog hosted at the same domain name as your site. With a Bronze account, you have the option of either using the blog module that’s built into our NE1 web builder or you can install WordPress, the best blogging software in the world. This month only you can upgrade to a year of our Bronze Hosting Package and the Ad-Free Option together for only $129, a $40 savings. Even if you don’t blog, it’s a great deal that can help you take your site to the next level. If you’re interested in ordering a new hosting account or upgrading you can order here.
2) 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Continues
For the last 24 weekdays, a group of us bloggers have been reading a lesson and doing an assignment designed to take our blogs a step forward. I think just about everyone involved would say it’s been a great experience. We’ve been learning a lot and building some great friendships. I’ve heard from several people who didn’t sign up or buy the e-book but have still learned a lot by reading along. So, even if you’re just hearing about this for the first time, feel free to jump in read along and discuss the lessons. Don’t be shy. 🙂
3) An Opportunity to Promote Your Blog
If you host your blog in an OurChurch.Com web hosting account, we want to help you promote it. Just post some info and a link in this forum topic. If you’ve got other creative ways we can help promote your blog, post that in the forum as well.
4) Changes Coming to Christian Web Trends
I’ve been dying to make some changes here to Christian Web Trends for a while. We’re going to be redesigning blog to make it look a lot better and a lot less cluttered.
We also want to hear from you about what you like about CWT and what you’d like to see changed. Specifically, we’d like to know what we can do to help more of our members engage here. We host more than 14,000 websites, but only a very small percentage of the people who manage websites at OCC comment or even read Christian Web Trends on a regular basis. We’d like to hear your ideas on how we can change that. We’ll be asking for your review/feedback in a post later this month, but we love to hear your opinions and ideas any time… even now… in the comments of this post.
So, what do you think of putting this announcement in the blog? Good idea? Bad idea?
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
8 Comments
Paul, I think the announcement here is great. I would think that by placing the special on the blog it will be seen by more potential consumers. Also, a reader who may not be looking to upgrade their services may read about the special here, which is great by the way, and decide it is for them. So kudos.
I've been following the 31DBBB since the first week and even bought the ebook. Unfortunately I'm spread so thin right now that I haven't had the time to read it. But I am learning a lot by following along and reading all of the comments.
I am surprised to read that you'll be redesigning this blog. As a graphic designer of 20 years I find it easy to navigate. The only problem I have noticed with it is the color red in the banner ad at the top left under "Follow us on" It is distracting to the reader, of course I know you want it to draw attention but the use of the flash can do that without the excess red. A lighter color would better balance the top of the page.
Keep up the good work, Paul.
Thanks Cynthia. I appreciate your feedback. I almost never talk about our website services in the blog posts themselves, because don't want Christian Web Trends to be perceived as "salesy." But I would like those who read the blog to be aware of activities, services, and specials in case they might be of help to our readers.
getting engagement going is always a hard thing, but you know that. Maybe a points system? Not sure what winners should get, promotion? Book?, T-Shirt?
My only recommendation is on the CWT site; when I first started visiting I had difficulty finding the link to the blog. Then when I registered, I did not find it easy to locate the login path.
So maybe a direct Graphic and link to the blog and a login option at the top?
otherwise I like the idea of the announcement 🙂
Thanks for the feedback, Phillip. Those are two things I hadn't even thought about.
Paul, can you tell me or point me on directions for how to install wordpress on my Bronze account? You mentioned that as an option, but I don't know how to begin. Thanks!
Hi Cal, the easiest way is using Fantastico. To do that…
– Login to your cPanel control panel at germantownbaptistky.org/cpanel
– Under the "Software/Services" heading, click "Fantastic De Luxe"
– Once on the Fantastico page, click WordPress
– Then click the "New Installation" link and follow the instructions.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask our support staff through the help desk at https://ourchurch.com/support
Paul, can you tell me or point me on directions for how to install wordpress on my Bronze account? You mentioned that as an option, but I don’t know how to begin. Thanks!
Hi Peter, the easiest way is to use the “Softaculous Apps Installer” in your cPanel control panel. WordPress also has instructions on their website: https://wordpress.org/support/article/how-to-install-wordpress/
Unless you’re an experienced website developer, however, it would probably be a lot better to use our WP-EZ Website Builder, which comes with your account. WP-EZ takes care of installing your theme, all the plugins, and comes with premium page layouts so all you have to do is swap in your text and image for the sample text and images to create a great looking website.