[thelist] Site observation please

[Green, Janet]

>>>What I'm looking for are comments about the overall look of each in
comparison to each other...<<<

Your own version LOOKS much more inviting than the first one. It's got some
nice photos (would be better if they were actual photos from Church events,
to make it less generic and more personal), which set a warm,
family-oriented tone. The welcome message is also much warmer than just the
"ENTER" button on the other site. Church is supposed to be a place of
comfort and caring, but the first site does not convey that image at all
with it's hard-looking bank of buttons and the bright green logo. The second
site softens the logo (it's still prominent, but a big green circle is not
as friendly as those photos and the Pastor's welcome) and the overall "first
impression" of the site. 

It's important for your client to think about how hard they work to convey
their image, and to not let the website detract from that image. If someone
at the church answered the phone in an abrupt, blaring manner (which is
basically what the FIRST design does) - they would ask that person to change
their way of answering the phone. Also, your point about the audience is a
good one - if church leaders took a poll, they'd probably hear members say
that the church is a warm, caring place... they will expect something warm
and caring at the church's website, and the first design (again) will not
deliver on that expectation. 

It all goes back to the image the church is trying to portray, and *all*
marketing materials should reinforce that image. If someone is using that
first site as a PowerPoint presentation, then IMO they are *not* reinforcing
the church's warm/caring image with that particular presentation.

Janet