This is the fourth in a series of key concepts for your site that should help to make it a better place for all those involved.

There are few things more frustrating than not being able to find the information you need, whether it's sports scores or meeting times. On a website, sometimes its frustrating because you have to click a lot of links before you get to where you want, while other times you can't find what you need because it's been combined with too much other information on a single page. Somewhere there is a middle ground where your website is most effective.

However, finding that middle ground is not an easy process. It takes careful consideration and an understanding of your site's visitors. Some things think about are:

• Layout or Template – Is your site presented in an organized and easily readable manner? (If you need some new ideas for your site's look, you can try here and here.)
• Information Structure – Make sure that the information that is most generally needed is the fewest clicks away. On your church website, that should mean that items like your address, phone number, denomination, service times, and upcoming schedule events should all be priorities on your main page. Don't forget a short blurb about the kind of place your church is along with an invitation, which is a great tone setter for your site.
• Clear Link Labels – Make sure that the links on your site are clearly labeled. People are less likely to click on a link if they don't know where it will take them. So even if your youth group has a catchy name, try making the link just "Youth Group" so visitors know what it is. And don't try to use images as symbolic links (like a picture of children for "Children's Ministries"), because it may not even be evident that the image is a link.
• Try An HTML Site Map – No matter how you organize your link structures, there's a good chance that a number of people will be looking for things in places other than where you put them. If you have a site map page with all your key links together, then it's one more way for a visitor to easily find what they need.

A well-organized website makes a visitors experience more enjoyable, so its well worth the extra effort. Take the time to get your site in order, and you will find it well worth your while.