Frequently Asked Questions

Is my church required to use this service?

No. This is simply an option that is available to churches, committees, commissions, regions and organizations in the Diocese.

I don’t want to use the templates. Can I still use Web Solutions for e-mail?
No. You can choose from two packages: the templates/e-mail/modules, or hosting only.

Can I embed Google Apps in the new templates?
Yes.

How is billing handled?
Web Solutions will bill churches/committees directly via e-mail. Billing does not start until you go live - so you can work on a draft of your site while incurring no fees for up to six months. Billing starts as soon as you instruct the Diocese/Web Solutions that you're ready to go live, and Web Solutions confirms that your site is configured.

I understand that the $10/month fee includes several modules (contact module, directions module, news module, events module), and that I can add on additional modules for a discounted, non-profit price. What other modules are available?
Additional modules and their pricing are available here.

Should I use a certain Web browser to operate the Web Solutions CMS?
Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer are the preferred Web browsers.

Is this compatible with PCs and Macs?
Yes.

Are any areas of the site password protected?
The template sites are initially developed with all areas public access. The Diocese is investigating the option of a password-protected module. Password-protection is not provided at the $10/month level.

My committee, commission or related organization currently hosts our site through the Diocese. Do I have to switch to the new provider? Where will the hosting money come from?
If you want to maintain a separate Web presence with your own Web domain, OR if you will have frequent updates to your site, then you may use the Web Solutions templates. The Diocese will assist in the migration process. The funding will come from your committee budget. You are not required to use Web Solutions to maintain your Web site.

If you do not need to maintain your own domain name and will not have frequent content updates (no more than one update per month), then the Diocese will create an informational page for your organization on our own Web site.

Can I customize the appearance of my template/site?
We will provide a template for you. The basic layout and structure (fonts, location of the header, navigation bar, content and footer) are not customizable. The colors, logo and, of course, content, are all customizable.

Can I keep my current Web site address?
Yes. However, you will need access to your domain name wherever it is currently registered (i.e. Network Solutions, GoDaddy, etc.) in order to point it to the new template Web site that is created for you.

What is a domain provider?
When you created a Web site, you registered your domain with a particular company. You likely pay an annual fee for this service. Moving your hosting to Web Solutions does not mean you have to move your domain registration - you may keep your domain registration with your current company, or you may transfer it to Web Solutions at the rate of $25/year.

If I choose to switch over to the templates, will there be any overlap time during the migration process so I can continue using our current parish site while the new one is in development?
Yes. The new site can be put in a staging area so that you can migrate content for any length of time you need. Once you're satisfied with the migration, we only need to set up a record on the server and you would need to repoint your domain name accordingly. Billing does not start until your site is live.

If we have experience coding Web sites and working with content management systems, do we have the option to build a custom site ourselves?
No. The Web Solutions CMS platform is best suited for the client who doesn't have coding experience and would therefore benefit from the tools provided.

How do I get started?
Contact the Diocese and we'll help you through the whole process. Send an e-mail Emily Cherry and we'll set up a 90 minute online training session.

Who should attend the training session?
The people who will primarily be in charge of editing and updating the site should attend. We recommend that if a volunteer will be the primary administrator, that a staff member also receives the training and has access to the site.