Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery: The Professional Touch

By Daniel Gibbins  - Project Leader and Operations Manager

Towards the end of 2006 I was asked to take on a redesign project of some magnitude. Not only was I asked to develop new features for an existing website, the main challenge was using the same content in an already existing 'green' looking website and transforming it into a new professional design.

You will see to the right a fairly large green image. This is an accurate screen capture of the original website. While the basic information required by the Deanery was there, the design and layout needed a significant revamp.

With the kind permission of the Area Dean of Dyffryn Clwyd, I have made the page on the left available as a reference point for later discussion. Unfortunately none of the links are active as that website no longer exists. If you would like to skip forward a moment and click on the next image on the right - the new Dyffryn Clwyd website, you will notice the difference. A number of people we have spoken to over the past few months are wary of creating 'bubble-gum' effects on church websites. We strongly believe that a website should be free of 'bubble-gum' graphics: otherwise known as graphics that are created simply because the designer can. Some web designers like to show off, some like to show the world their advanced animation and graphics skills which create websites that are often distracting and displeasing to the visitor.

A Word from The Reverend John Davies:
Area Dean of Dyffryn Clwyd.

Four years ago I wrote a web site for a deanery in a rural area of North Wales.  The only training I had was a one day course on MS Front Page.  At the time, I thought the site looked really good and regularly updated it and added to it.

However by the beginning of 2007, the site was looking somewhat dated and “tired”.  Other sites that were appearing online were moving on. My site was not.   I wanted so much to improve the design but had neither the time nor the expertise to do so.   When the company who hosted the site went out of business, I started to look for a new host. It was then that I came across Cortina Web Solutions who offer not only a hosting service but a design service too. This company was the answer to my prayers as I knew the need for a good professionally designed site. 

I sent my “old” web site to Cortina Web Solutions and asked what they could do.  After asking me to set out for them what I wanted this site to achieve, they accepted the work and began designing a new site.  It did not take long for the new site to be published and I was very pleased with the result.  The site is well designed and easy to navigate.   

The process was completely hassle free and I was able to discuss my requirements over the phone. Cortina Web Solutions made many suggestions to improve the site further but at all times respected what the Deanery wanted the site to contain.  As the  previous host had gone out of business, I had to contact Nominet to make sure the site did not lose the domain name. Cortina Web Solutions did this on my behalf and there were no problems at all. 

Once the “draft” website had been designed, Dan Gibbins of Cortina Web Solutions visited our Deanery Conference to give a presentation of the site and was extremely helpful in advising on the method of updating the site.

The Reverend John Barden Davies, Area Dean of Dyffryn Clwyd and Rector of Llanfwrog, Cyffylliog, Clocaenog & Llanynys Churches.

Statistical Analysis: Does it Work?

The Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery is constantly in the process of change. A good website has the capacity to develop new and interesting material and keep your visitors coming back for more. Below you will find a screen snapshot of the online statistics page for the Dyffryn Clwyd website. You will notice that prior to the new website's launch in February, very few people were visiting the site in January.

With approximately 500 visitors per month and over 10,500 pages viewed, the Dyffryn Clwyd website has established a strong base from which to develop and grow. A range of 'organic' marketing and internet advertising was undertaken in the early days of February, continuing through until March. This has had a positive effect on visitor numbers from the local and global communities.

Web Statistics for 2007 (for Dyffryn Clwyd website)

The Area Dean has reported a climb in visitor numbers during mid-morning Sunday Services. A number of new families have started to attend regular Family Services once a month, commenting to church members that they had seen the outreach information on the website. Clergy have experienced a rise in online communication regarding spiritual guidance and discussions for baptisms, weddings and funerals.

The churches that make up the Deanery will be working independently to evaluate ways in which they can develop their own resources and facilities on the Deanery website, however they are all benefiting from shared fellowship between each church.