4 ways to avoid an end-of-year website traffic jam

Nov. 8, 2023 by

Katie Clark

Here's how to plan ahead and avoid those holiday slow-downs.

No one likes holiday traffic. Those backed-up highways can keep you from celebrating with loved ones and eating more cookies than humanly possible! While we do our best to plan around potential slowdowns to enjoy more time with family and friends, don't forget about that heightened website traffic, either! No church or ministry wants to spend the most wonderful time of the year fielding the same questions and website requests over and over (...and over).

Here are 4 helpful items to add to your end-of-year checklist that will get you from now to New Year's with no delays in sight.
 

1

Prominently display worship times on your homepage

When are holiday service times? Will there be child care? Are we offering a live stream this year? Community members like to be prepared, and sharing details about your annual holiday services directly on your homepage could save a few phone calls and emails from coming into the front office.



Achieve this simple communication boost by dropping all the necessary information into a beautifully styled Text/HTML module. Or, if you're looking to create that extra wow for visitors, try out a Headline Section to really make your service info pop!
 

2

End-of-year giving and reporting made simple

Online giving has no doubt become the most convenient way our members can participate in tithing. As annual giving opportunities approach, remember to include additional holiday services, almsgiving, and end-of-year gifts in your digital communications this season!
 

Need an impressive online giving service, pronto?

Check out GabrielSoft Online Giving to promote your regular Sunday collection as well as any special fundraisers or giving opportunities directly on your website!

After your account is set up, your team will have access to efficient reporting, helpful communication tools, and a FREE service to help onboard recurring givers!

3

Promote Advent and Christmas traditions on one festive page

We all know that parish activities tend to ramp up towards the end of the year. But promoting ways to get involved during the Advent or Christmas season doesn't need to be difficult to find on your website.



Creating an internal page on your website provides a one-stop shop for how your members can participate! Add an intuitive events module to keep everyone informed, offer special sign-up forms for charity events, or embed a special message from your pastor and church staff with a YouTube or Vimeo module.

Then, all you need to do to get the word out is share a simple URL link with your members. Ta-da!
 

4

Need a design reset? Update your theme just in time for the holidays

You've accomplished a lot this year, so if you feel like your site could use a little TLC, consider investing in something your whole community will benefit from and enjoy! Elevate your website to one of the many beautiful (and free!) website themes - and be sure to activate a Sections Layout for endless styling opportunities.

Never switched to a new theme before? It only takes a few steps to switch over to a new free theme design.

Have other suggestions that should go on our checklist? We'd love to hear them! Leave a comment below about how you prepare your website for smooth sailing as we close out the year.