Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Friendly Church Websites and what do you offer?
A: Friendly Church Websites was created by The Friendly Webguru for Churches and Christian Organizations of any denomination the opportunity to obtain a website at a more affordable price.
Q: How do you offer these websites so cheap?
A: The church websites we offer are ones that we have already specifically created to be used as "ready-made" websites. This means we do not have to build a website from scratch for you. We only need to make slight modifications (logo, photos, color, etc.) on these websites. This saves us time and money and benefits your Church.
A: Yes. If you would like a complete, customized website outside of our samples, please contact us and we'll work with you to give you a complete website from scratch.
Q: Do you just sell template files or do you actually edit and place the website on the internet for us?
A: We do all the work for you. All that is needed from you is your logo, picture, and information (page content, etc.) that you want on your website. We then add them to the design that you have chosen and upload it to the web and submit it to search engines. It's as simple as sending us an email, or calling us with what you need on your site.
Q. How long does it take to get my website on the internet after I sign up?
A: This will be dependent though on how quick you respond to any content we need from you for the completion of the website (photos, menu names, logos, information, etc.) Any delay on your part to provide us with this content or with answers to questions we ask you will obviously delay the launching of your website. If you already own a domain name and hosting, login information will be required to access the existing setup, and time take to get this login information or any problems with the existing hosting, etc, may also delay the website being uploaded.
Q: What is a domain name and/or hosting?
A: A domain name is the web address that you want your website to have, ie, www.yourdomainname.com. Every website must have this.If you do not have a domain name, you may check to see if the name you like is available here. If you find one that works for you, let us know and we will purchase it for you as part of your website package. Hosting involves a server/computer which "hosts" your website files so that they can be viewed on the internet. This is also required for every website. Our Basic package offers shared hosting on our server, and our Economy and Deluxe packages offer dedicated hosting for your site.
Q: Will I be able to communicate with a "live person" during the production of my new website?
A: Yes. Once we hear from you indicating that you would like a website we will then contact you via email or phone with questions and information in order to get the production of your new website going as soon as possible. We will be here to help you with any questions or concerns that you may have every step of the way during your website's construction, and subsequent maintenance of it.
Q: Will we be able to have an email address with our new website? (Example, you@yourwebsite.com)
A: If you choose either our Economy or Deluxe packages, you may have up to 100 email addresses with your domain name (for example, pastor@yourchurchname.com, prayerrequests@yourchurchname.com, etc). During the setup process, we'll set up all the new email address for you and instruct you on how to setup your new email addresses on your computers.
If you choose our Basic package, you may use existing email addresses (which don't reflect your church domain name), and we can incorporate them into the site. (example, your domain name for your site is www.ourchurchname.com, but your email is john@sbcglobal.net, etc and not reflecting your domain name).
Q: Do I have to edit the website myself after it's been uploaded and is live online?
A: Not at all. All you need do is drop us an email with the changes required, and we'll take care of it for you. These edits are all included in the monthly website fees, starting at $39.95 per month. For full pricing details, look at our Pricing page.
Q: Will I be able to have the photo(s) changed in the web design I choose?
A: Yes. When you purchase a design, you will be given the option of changing the photo(s) that comes with that design. If you have photos, simply email them to us or give them to us on a disk. If you do not have your own photos, we can send you a link to a free stock photography website where you will be able to choose which photo(s) you would like on your website. We will then add the photos to your website for you.
Q: Will I be able to have my logo on my website?
A: Absolutely. We will ask you to provide us with your logo either by email or on a disk so that we can place it on your new website.
Q: What if I don't have a logo?
A: Not a problem, we can just put your organization's name on the website, along with a nice image or quotation, whichever you desire.
Q: Will I be able to have the menu buttons changed on my website?
A: Yes. The menu names on the sample pages are just for display purposes. You will be asked what you would like the individual pages on your website to be named, and these will become the names on the menu buttons.
Q: How many pages can I have on my website?
A: Each of our monthly plans has a set number of pages. The Basic plan is for smaller sites up to 7 pages. The Economy plan is for sites up to 10 pages, and the Deluxe plan is for larger sites up to 20 pages. If you require more than 20 pages, we will give you a custom rate per month.
Q: Can I pay by Paypal instead of by check?
A: Yes. We can send you a Paypal invoice via email, and this will give you instructions on how to pay by Paypal. In fact, we prefer this method of payment. It's also simpler for you, as you don't need to mail a check. You simply follow the link we give you on the invoice and you may pay by credit or debit card on Paypal's site.
Q: What are the monthly fees?
A: Our websites start from $39.95 per month. Please look at our complete pricing levels, here.
Q: How long do I have to use your system?
A: We do not have a specific contract length. However, we would prefer you looked at your website as a long term committment. Generally we like to see you keep your website for a minimum of 6 months to see how much it's benefitting your church congregation and future members who will look at your church online.
Q: What is included in the monthly package fee?
A: The monthly package fees cover everything you see in the sample sites, complete with the custom pages, custom contact form, modified colors, static header graphic, photos, content, logos, menu items, photos, domain name for first year, free hosting, uploading to the host servers and submission to search engines and any content changes you need to make. These could include new articles, editing names, service times, photos, fresh content. etc. All you need to do is email us the edits, deletions and/or new content, and we will take care of it and update your site. For a complete listing of what each of our Basic, Economy and Deluxe levels include, look at our Pricing page. If you require options such as flash headers, photo galleries, slideshows, audio, etc, please look at our Options page.
If there is a question that you have that is not covered above, please feel free to Contact Us, and we'll be happy to assist.