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www.bluesky-church.com

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Social & Culture

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BlueSky-Church.com is one in a series of world-class, faith-based websites being designed and developed by 18-year brand jockeys, Papugai, Inc. of Bellevue, Washington. Blue Sky, a contemporary, bible-based church recently planted from a Southern Illinois home church, desired an up-tempo website with many features and services for its members/attendees. 70% of BlueSky’s membership are in their 20s and 30s.

Challenge
When designing an effective website for a church, the rules of engagement don’t apply in a typical commerce fashion. Priorities shift from conversion rates, ROI, and search engine metrics, to sensitivity of presentation, messaging and security. Messaging was a particularly sensitive part of this project, needing to be managed directly by BlueSky leadership.

Technical Features
Papugai’s CMS platform, SmartWebEdit.NET™, implemented for WYSIWYG editing of text, images and other content, giving BlueSky leadership maximum freedom, security and flexibility for managing website content.

BlueSky’s calendar powered by Papugai’s robust SmartEngage.NET™ software. Calendar events, presented in color-coded categories. Real-time sorting, admin tool management.

Featured Listening scrolls through recent sermons/songs until the user clicks "Listen Online" triggering Flash-based audio player.

SmallGroup leaders can post timely messages to groups via secure admin tool.

Design Features
Homepage presentation nav (right side) is transparent, showing through to the random-loaded background images. Flash video and other goodies are inside this area. Transparent Flash movies are nested inside DIVs allowing overlap. Effect is depth using drop shadows - still over background images below.

DHTML left navigation has smooth slide-out feel (no Flash here!). Also overlays Flash movies requiring rigorous cross-browser testing.

Additional Major Features Coming Early 2007
1. Online tithing/offering by check instead of CC (important distinction for churches)
2. Searchable bible in NIV and King James formats
3. Advanced account-based platform. Multi-level, secure access to various sections/data.
4. Additional languages supported including Mandarin Chinese, Russian, others.