PRESS RELEASE
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PRESS RELEASE |
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MassillonChurches.com
celebrates its 2nd Anniversary
March 31st will mark the second anniversary of the Web Site MassillonChurches.com. According to Michael Epler, who developed and maintains the Site, it was originally supposed to go online one day later. "However I just couldn't bring myself to start this Site on April Fools Day. So when all our ducks got in a row a day early, I put it online." MassillonChurches.com is a non-profit Web Site that provides information about each church located within the greater Massillon area. It also has a list of upcoming events, which allows local churches to post special services and activities on the Internet. "We provide this Site as a service to our local churches, as well as to visitors in the area, those who have recently moved here, and folks who are looking to atttend a different church," Mike told us. "I felt Massillon should have a respectable Web Site from which to showcase its churches. I think this Site does just that. Our Home Page lists churches by denomination, has a 'Current Events' section, and also has a continuous slide show showing each of our area churches. I like the slide show a lot." According to Mike, the first few months of this project were not encouraging. "I sent a questionnaire to each Church, requesting information so we could provide them with an accurate listing. When less than 20% of these questionnaires were returned, I sent it out again. For churches that gave us no response, I did the best I could with information available on the Web, from ads and announcements in the newspaper, and other such sources. Then I went out and took a picture of each church, so people visiting a Church for the first time would know what its Church Building looked like. Although I would have liked a better in initial response from the local Churches, I am pleased with how the Site has turned out. Today I get much better input from our churches than I did 2 years ago." "When we went online in 2003, there were 46 churches; today we list 55 Massillon Churches. Several community Web Sites -- like Massillonweb.com and MassillonGateway.com -- provide links to us on their Home Page, and I really appreciate that. Even a couple of our local churches have given us a link from their Church Web Site. I think that is especially nice." When asked how many visitors his Web Site receives, Mike told us that, although he tracks that information, he does not consider it of much value. "Some days we may get only 12 or 15 visitors. Although most other Web Sites would consider this abysmal, looking up information about a church is not something people do every day. I am more concerned that this Site is helpful and accurate than I am in how many 'hits' it receives. Even though MassillonChurches.com may may not have as many daily visitors as other Community Websites, I know it is providing our area with a worthwhile service." As for the future, it will be more of the same. "The Internet will continue to be a powerful force in the lives of many people. As much as we can, we will continue to provide accurate and helpful information that folks can use when looking for an area Church. Although the Site may not get the publicity and fanfare of other Community Web Sites, I know MassillonChurches.com has helped many over the past 2 years. I get much satisfaction from that." SCREEN SHOT: MassillonChurches.com Home Page [B & W] | |
| For additional information, contact Michael Epler by email at mike@massillonchurches.com or by mail at MassillonChurches.com; P.O. Box 1424; Massillon, OH 44648 |
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