Things To Consider For Your Church Website

Things To Consider For Your Church Website 

1. Current, Easy to Navigate and responsive

A church website provides a first impression for visitors. Website themes have changed drastically through the years. Make sure your website has a current theme and that it is clean, user friendly and easy to navigate. Also check to be sure all menu buttons are working and that the pages provide current, helpful information.
Also make sure that the content on your website can resize depending on the device that it is being viewed on.

2. Welcome Page

Everyone likes to hear the word welcome! Provide a welcome page that engages visitors and makes them feel valued. Demonstrate warmth, caring and a friendly environment.

3. Church Mission

Every church has a slightly different mission. Explain the mission, vision and values of your church. Mission is what people connect to and if you can articulate it well, your visitors may be drawn to help and support it.

4. What We Believe

Most people want to know a church’s fundamental doctrine. A page that articulates beliefs helps would be visitors understand that basic church doctrine.

5. Financial Accountability

People who donate to churches want to know that those donations are managed appropriately. Share information about how the church budgets its resources and the measures it uses to maintain good stewardship of ministry funds.

If your church has become an ECFA member, share that information to demonstrate financial accountability and integrity.

  

6. What to Do if you are New

It is always difficult to navigate a new environment. Make it easy for visitors by laying out steps to the visitor process.  Explain where to park, how to drop off kids, and any other tip that will make their visit easier. Offer them a free cup of coffee just for showing up.

7. History of the Church

I always find church history to be interesting. Explain how the church began and the milestones along the way. These historical facts help to tell a story and build relationship with a visitor.

8. Meet the Pastor

The pastor is the person who communicates on behalf of the church. Put the pastor front and center. Share a welcome video of the pastor as well as sample sermons.

This will give visitors an idea of what the message will be like and a sample of how that message will be delivered.

9. Meet the Staff

A church website provides a first impression for visitors and tells a story about your church.I also like to see who is on staff, what they do and a little about them.  This church had staff family photos so you not only knew who the staff were but their families also. Seeing a family unit – Dad, Mom and kids – provides the big picture of the employee.

10. How to Prepare for Your Visit

For people who have been away from church for a while, or who maybe have never been in a church, visiting a new church can be a little intimidating. Help to prepare them by sharing what the experience will be like.

Length of service, atmosphere of meeting, types of music, information about the kids program, etc.  The more you can do to prepare a guest for a visit the better their experience will be.

11. Service Times – Directions

Most churches have their service times listed somewhere on their website. Make it easy to find by having it front and center. There is nothing more frustrating that trying to find basic information.

However, service times is one that should never be difficult to find.  Ask someone who has never been on your website to go there and ask them how long it takes them to find this basic information.  You may be surprised by their answer.

12. Getting Involved

Belonging to a church means getting involved. Make it easy for people to connect and get involved.  The sooner they plug into a program, team or event at the church the better their chances are of meeting people and beginning to feel part of the community.

13. Youth and Children’s Programs

Young couples with kids are interested in what programs are available for their children. They want to know two things.

They first want to know that their kids are in a safe environment and they secondly want to know that their kids are going to grow spiritually. Share information about how your church keeps kids safe and provides applicable biblical teaching.

14. Volunteering

Volunteers are the engine of a church. Share detailed information about the process of becoming a volunteer and available volunteer opportunities. People are often afraid to commit so do your best to make the process easy and adaptable to volunteer needs.

15. Community Groups

Everyone wants to know someone when they walk in the door of a church. Share how your church encourages community. Some churches have home groups, some have life interest groups, some have weekly bible study.

The model is not as important as the communicating of its existence.  Visitors and new members need to know how to connect with other believers and how to make friends. Community groups are how that happens.

16. Sermon Series

Provide samples of sermons.  People like to see sermon series that offer practical help for their daily lives. Have links to podcasts or videos of weekly messages.

17. Testimonies

The beauty of the local church is in its ability to transform lives. The bible provides the steps and the church facilitates the delivery of the message.

There is nothing more heartwarming than hearing the testimony of a new believer who experienced radical change. Share these testimonies not only for visitors but also for members.

18. Blog

A church blog is a great way to expand on weekly teachings and to stay connected with members.  A blog also provides teaching samples for visitors. Try to maintain a blog and keep it filled with fresh content.

19. How to Read the Bible

Most new believers have no clue how to read the bible.  It is an overwhelmingly huge book.  Offer tips on how to navigate the bible and point them to resources that can help them on their journey.

20. How to Give

No pastor likes to ask for money. Make giving easy by providing several giving options. There are many new technologies that provide easy ways to give. Explore these new technologies and provide easy access.  In addition,  provide information about current church financial needs (perhaps a building project), teaching on giving and tips on budgeting and debt reduction.

A church’s website is its sale page. Create a site that is easy to navigate, with helpful information and your website may one of many tools that helps to bring visitors to your church.


Patricia at smartchurchmanagement.com What Story Does Your Church Website Tell? Accessed March 31 2017. https://smartchurchmanagement.com/what-story-does-your-website-tell/

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