Over the summer I’ll try to remember to include a few posts like this one where we link to the websites of Christian bookstores in Canada. If you want to submit your site, just list it in the comments section, and from those, we’ll create a fresh post later on.
Questions to ask yourself as you read:
- What are the strengths of the site?
- What are the weaknesses of the site?
- Does anything reflect the “local” flavor of the place the store is located?
- Does it make you want to visit?
- Are they uniquely promoting some key items that sometimes get lost in the maze of available products?
Here’s a few I randomly pulled out of my head to kick things off:
Lighthouse Bookstore – Fredericton
Family Christian Bookstore – Burlington
Our own approach was to do something completely different. Although we have an “information” page about our store, we decided to invest our web hours in giving something back to the community. So we modified a blog page and created a Christian Events page that lets our customers know of local and regional events. It has been very well received.
Searchlight Christian Events – Cobourg, Ontario
…Your web design and maintenance need not be done by someone in your city, your province or even in our part of the world. If you want a fresh look for your online presence, consider people who really know the internet, such as Bruce and Moira Allen at Timezone Media in Halifax. Their website emphasizes their work in The Maritimes, but they do serve a number of ministry organizations.
