Non-Profit: Online Religious Organizations By Ratana, Sharma, Talabi, Wu, Zaida

Goals/Challenges faced by these Organizations provide religious information provide religious information distribute theories distribute theories ask for humanity helps ask for humanity helps attract new members/believers attract new members/believers affirm the truth in all faiths and religious paths affirm the truth in all faiths and religious paths dispel false beliefs about the religion dispel false beliefs about the religion counter cult groups counter cult groups

General Characteristics Run by small organizations, not large corporations. Can be run by one person (typical) Are not very sophisticated technologically/design wise With the exception of certain portals, tend to offer narrowly focused information geared toward one particular religion Are supported either by ad revenue to pay for sites, or donations, or the owner’s own pocket Do not spend much on advertising. Visitors usually find their way there through search engines or word of mouth.

Who are they targeting? People from all religions People from all religions People from one religion People from one religion Those who are not bounded by a single ideology Those who are not bounded by a single ideology Atheists Atheists People with diverse spiritual traditions People with diverse spiritual traditions Intermarried people who have not made a clear religious people (interfaithfamily.com) Intermarried people who have not made a clear religious people (interfaithfamily.com) Basically, everyone with a religious curiosity Basically, everyone with a religious curiosity

Small Informational Sites Example Jewish community outreachhttp://pages.prodigy.com/D/V/R/dvar/

Small Informational Sites What do they offer? Information about their organization Why it was started Who the people behind it are What the projects they are working on are Information and assistance to the people of their religion on a particular (usually, narrow) topic of interest Answers to frequently asked questions Contact information

Small Informational Sites Who do they target? People of the same religion who are looking for information and assistance on their particular topic of concern How do they attract people? “Pull” method for attraction (the consumer is pulling the info) These sites do not tend to actively seek out people; instead, people actively seek out them Visitors to such sites are usually people that are interested in finding out information on a particular topic; thus, they actively search for sites with such information Web rings – interrelated sites that are linked together on each

Small Informational Sites Recommendations for homegrown informational sites: Capitalize on viewers’ interest Offer personalized s, electronic newsletters, etc., with information on the topic of interest Update visitors with ongoing events related to the topic Allow visitors to post their views / give advice on the topic of interest Have links to other sites related to the topic of interest; also, links to other sites related to their common religion Start local lectures / community panels related to topic Provide links that allow viewers to purchase books, videos, etc., related to the topic

Organizations that act as Portals Examples Examples –Draw a broad range of religious and spiritual paths –Promote shared religious values ( –Advocate equal rights for sexual minorities ( Value Added : Combine resources for the web Value Added : Combine resources for the web –Provide links to »Other religions, ministries »Inspirational and spiritual music »Services: consulting, heath, clergy Recommendations: Portals can leverage their “browsing starting point” by offering more services, such as that of stores and customizable content

Organizations that act as Portals Example – Links to various faith pages Example – Links to various faith pageswww.interfaith.org

Online Religious Stores Features One stop shopping for religious books, clothing, tapes and other religious paraphernalia. One stop shopping for religious books, clothing, tapes and other religious paraphernalia. Provide some free services and information e.g. newsletters and greeting cards. Provide some free services and information e.g. newsletters and greeting cards. Some sites participate in shopping networks eg. Some sites participate in shopping networks eg. A few stores offer non religious items e.g. computers and house wares. A few stores offer non religious items e.g. computers and house wares. Some sites offer memberships and personalized accounts. Some sites offer memberships and personalized accounts. Religious advertisements provide additional revenue. Religious advertisements provide additional revenue. Most stores offer specials for religious holidays and events. Most stores offer specials for religious holidays and events.

Online Religious Stores Customers Members of the associated religion are the primary client base. Members of the associated religion are the primary client base. Some stores also target churches and other large organizations for large volume sales. Some stores also target churches and other large organizations for large volume sales. Most stores offer customers coupons and discounts to repeat customers. Most stores offer customers coupons and discounts to repeat customers. Some stores belong to particular churches, mosques etc and cater specifically to their members. Some stores belong to particular churches, mosques etc and cater specifically to their members.

This site is part of a network of specialty stores Display of sample product Advert provides additional revenue Search engine for locating products Categorized product listings

Online Religious Stores Suggested improvements. Partnerships with high traffic sites eg Yahoo. Partnerships with high traffic sites eg Yahoo. Sale of digital content e.g. downloadable music. Sale of digital content e.g. downloadable music. Group discounts to members of churches, mosques etc Group discounts to members of churches, mosques etc Contributing part of revenues to charitable causes and affiliated religions. Contributing part of revenues to charitable causes and affiliated religions.

Online Religious Organizations General Comments/Recommendations/Revisitations: General Comments/Recommendations/Revisitations: –Once a visitor is there, lock them in with some value added service such as free , web space, etc. “increase ‘stickiness’” –Some sites were part of web rings. This is an excellent way to increase traffic to sites that are more on the ‘fringe’ or ones that are not found by search engines