Preview of the New Second.org

Posted by David Drinnon on Nov 10, 2008 | 160 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.equipthem.info%2F2008%2F11%2F10%2Fpreview-of-the-new-second-org%2FPreview+of+the+New+Second.org2008-11-10+06%3A21%3A15David+Drinnonhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.equipthem.info%2Fpreview-of-the-new-second-org%2F

I just submitted the following for publication in the next Second Scene, our church's bi-monthly publication. It gives you a small taste of what is planned for the next version of our website…scheduled for 1st quarter, 2009. (Screenshots to follow at a later date)

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The next release of second.org will be significantly different both in design and functionality. It will be a major milestone in our communication strategy with the Second Family.  In this next release, scheduled for 1st quarter of 2009, we have focused on three objectives: simplification, personalization, and shareability of information.

Simplification

Since the launch of our current website, Second has added two additional campuses. With every additional campus, keeping the website simple is a challenge. The new site has a streamlined navigation with fewer options that are campus specific. Once a visitor selects a campus from the home page, the visitor will only then see information specific to that campus. If a visitor wants to add items to the site navigation, they may login and add pages to the site navigation, a feature called MySBC Favorites. Given the numerous ministries and programs, the site will also include a ministry index accessible from every page on the site. The Ministry Index provides a more thorough list of links to information on the site. Between the streamlined navigation, MySBC Favorites and the Ministry Index, visitors will find the information they need more quickly.

Another significant change from our existing site is the addition of a centralized church calendar. The event calendar aggregates all campus event and programming information into one view. Visitors may filter the calendar based on date or category to find information specific to their needs or the needs of their family.

Similar to the events calendar, the site will feature a new media center containing video, audio, photo galleries, and articles. It will aggregate the expanded multimedia resources that will be available on the website such as sermon series, event photos, beach retreat videos, and more—all available on one easy interface.

Personalization

Much like banking online, the new second.org will deliver personal and personalized information via a secure login called MySBC Life. Once logged into the site, an individual may update their family’s personal information with the church, view a list of events and news specific to the one’s family, and update their communication preferences. Through MySBC Life a person may update not only their address and contact information, but also their MySBC favorites, spiritual gifts, and volunteer skills and interests.

The addition of blogs to second.org will give site visitors a up close and personal look into the staff lives and ministries of Second Baptist.

Shareability

Sharing and inviting others is a part of the DNA of our church. Events, news, or media on second.org may be shared on any one 36 social media websites using a tool called ShareThis.  It allows visitors to take information from second.org and copy it to one’s blog or twitter account.  Shareability of information from second.org makes information portable and viral…giving visitors the opportunity to invite others to church events and programs.

The introduction of RSS feeds to the new website gives individuals the opportunity to subscribe to specific content from second.org and have it delivered to the RSS Reader of one’s choice. As soon as last week’s sermon video is posted online or an event for singles is promoted on the site, RSS feeds will alert subscribers…keeping  them updated on the latest information from the Second Family.

These are just a few features that are planned for the new website. Once the website launches, be sure to visit and login to experience all that the site has to offer.