How to Get the Most Out of Your Church's Website

A church’s website is often the first point of contact for visitors and a regular touchpoint for current members. But how can you make sure that your website is working as best as it can for your community?

Here are four of the Web Squad’s many favorite strategies to help you maximize the effectiveness of your church's website.

1. Create your website with a user-friendly design.

A church's digital front door is as significant as its physical one! With many visitors seeking out an online "visit" before setting foot in a physical location, making sure that their digital experience is smooth is crucial. A user-friendly design ensures that both current members and potential visitors can easily navigate your site, regardless of their tech-savviness and choice of browsing platform. 📱

When creating a new church website, the Web Squad strives for clarity and accessibility. Break your website's content into clear sections, each with well-labeled menus. Create a layout that's visually appealing but not overwhelming. (Remember, less is often more!)

You’ll also want to make sure that your website is mobile-responsive. With so many users likely accessing the site through their smartphone or tablet, a seamless mobile experience is vital. *Scroll Woodland Park’s new homepage below!

2. Make sure your church content is regularly updated.

A church is more than just an event on Sunday; it’s a vibrant community that remains active throughout the entire week, and your website should reflect this liveliness! Regularly updated content not only informs but also engages your community, allowing them to stay connected even outside of regular service times.

When was the last time your small group times were updated? 🤔 Events, announcements, sermon archives, and more should also be current. Regular updates help indicate your church has an active community and invites participation and engagement.

If you use platforms and church management software (CMS) like Planning Center, Church Community Builder (CCB), PushyPay, Tithely, or more, consider embedding their forms or calendars on your site. This helps automate your site so you don’t have to update your CMS and your website!

Consider integrating a blog or a news section, writing about topics that might not fit into a Sunday sermon but are needed for the spiritual growth of your specific community. Ask and encourage various core church members to write and contribute as a way to further the sense of belonging in your community.

• 3 Ways to Keep Your Content Up-To-Date Dedicated Content Team: Appoint a team or individual specifically to oversee the website and social media updates. This way, content updating doesn't get lost in the shuffle of other church responsibilities. The team can consist of volunteers or designated staff members.
• Utilize The Web Squad: If you're not tech-savvy or simply don't have the time to constantly update your website, The Web Squad can handle all of this for you! By outsourcing this task, you can focus on your church's mission while leaving the website's technical aspects to the experts. This allows your online presence to remain fresh without demanding your personal time and energy.
• Share Testimonials and Stories: Incorporate a section on your website where members of the church can share testimonies or stories about what God is doing in their life. These personal stories can foster a deeper sense of community and inspire others!

3. Do your site visitors know what you want them to do?

Every page on your website should have a purpose and a desired outcome. Whether it's encouraging visitors to join a service and “plan their visit,” “sign up” for an event, or “watch” a recent sermon, clear call-to-action (or CTAs) buttons guide your visitors toward a specific objective. 🫡

Well-defined CTAs aren't about the end goal, they're about making sure users know what to do. When a new visitor wants to know how to get involved, or when a member wants to find resources, prominent and clear CTAs pave their way, making the journey straightforward.

Site visitors shouldn’t have to guess about where to go to find information or take the next step.

4. Consider changing any insider language or church-specific acronyms.

Take a moment to read through your website through the lens of someone outside the church space. Make note of words to rephrase that may alienate someone unfamiliar with their meaning.

Does your church abbreviate phrases often? Make sure your visitors have a way to understand what that stands for. Note phrases like "fellowship," "find Jesus," or "covered by the blood."

While these all have value within the church, using them predominately on your website may confuse someone without context.

Let TheSquad take care of your website.

Church Website Essentials

We've all been there: clicking away from a website because we couldn't find basic information. Your church website visitors are no different. Those first few seconds matter when someone's deciding whether to learn more about your community. Here's what makes a church website truly effective:

1. Mobile-Friendly Design

With over 60% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, if your site isn't optimized for smartphones, you're missing connections with half your potential visitors. People should be able to navigate your site as easily on their phone as on a computer.

2. Consistent Visual Brand

Your website should feel authentic to who you are as a church through quality photos and intentional design choices. Think of it like your building's curb appeal - it should give visitors a genuine sense of what they'll experience when they join you.

3. Clear Ministry Offerings

Your website needs to quickly show what makes your church unique. Are you passionate about family ministry? Do you have a heart for local outreach? Lead with what matters most to your congregation and community, helping visitors understand if your church could be the right fit.

4. Accessible Service Times

Service times should be front and center, not buried in a sub-menu. Consider including them in your header or as a prominent feature on your homepage. Remember, a potential visitor might be looking at your site on Sunday morning trying to decide if they can make it to service!

5. Obvious Next Steps

Make it simple for someone to get involved. Whether it's joining a small group, coming to a newcomer's lunch, or serving in a ministry, clear pathways help visitors feel confident about their first steps into your community.

Remember, your website shapes first impressions just like your physical building does. Creating a clear, welcoming online presence isn't just about good design. It's about making sure nothing gets in the way of people finding their place in your church community.

P.S. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this? Remember, you don't have to go it alone. TheSquad is always here to save you time and help you look awesome. Whether you need a hand with your website, graphics, or just some friendly advice, we've got your back. Let's chat about how we can support your media goals this year!

What Belongs on Your Homepage

Here’s a secret: your homepage is really an extension of your church’s welcome team, only it’s made up of pixels instead of caffeine-fueled extroverts! It’s your first chance to tell someone what your church is all about and help them get involved.

The 3-Second Rule

Studies show visitors make snap judgments about your church within 3 seconds of landing on your website. During those precious moments, your homepage needs to clearly answer three key questions:

1. What does your church offer?

"We're a community where it's okay to not be perfect!"

Ever seen a mission statement like that? It's simple, honest, and tells visitors what to expect. Your homepage needs to make that same kind of clear first impression.

When someone lands on your church website, they're often looking for more than just a Sunday service. Maybe they're searching for answers during a tough time or looking for a place where their kids can grow.

Your homepage should tell this story quickly. Through photos, words, and overall feel, help visitors see that your church could be their next spiritual home.

But you should try to sum up what makes your church unique in one clear sentence. Place it front and center on your homepage. For example:

• "Making faith practical for everyday life"
• "Where young adults and families find community"
• "A place to grow, serve, and belong"
• “No perfect people allowed!”

Remember: You're not trying to be everything to everyone. You're trying to be exactly what God has called your church to be, and communicate that clearly to your visitors.

2. Where and when do you meet?

This is crucial because even the most interested visitor can't show up if they don't know:

• Your physical address
• Service times
• Parking information
• What entrance to use
• If you offer online services

3. How can someone get involved?

This question needs a clear answer because taking that first step can feel scary. Visitors want to know:

• How to join a small group
• Ways to serve
• Next steps in their faith journey
• Who to contact with questions
• What to expect on their first visit

The most popular call-to-action button is “Plan Your Visit.” And it might be getting clicks, but what happens next can make or break a first-time visit. Think of this page as a digital concierge: it should take care of all the details so your visitors can focus on what matters: experiencing your church.

Here's what your Plan Your Visit page needs:

• A simple form to collect basic info (name, email, and planned visit date)
• Step-by-step details about what to expect (from parking to kids' check-in)
• A friendly face, maybe your welcome team leader or pastor in a short video
• Clear next steps (like "We'll text you parking directions on Sunday morning")
• Answers to common questions ("What should I wear?" "Where do my kids go?")

Make it easy. Each piece of information you collect helps your team give visitors a warmer welcome, but too many form fields might scare them away. Start with the basics, then let your welcome team fill in the gaps on Sunday.

Want to go the extra mile? Set up automated email or text confirmations that share helpful tips as their visit gets closer. It's like having a friend save them a seat!

Common Homepage Mistakes to Avoid

Missing Crucial Details

• Hard-to-find service times

• Hidden contact information

• Unclear next steps

Information Overload

• Too much text

• Cluttered design

• Competing calls to action

Making It Happen

Your homepage should work as hard as your welcome team to help visitors feel at home. Each element needs to support those crucial first three questions while creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Not sure where to start? Our Squad has helped thousands of churches create websites that turn visitors into family. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to make your site work better for your church!

Want to see how your homepage could work harder for your ministry? Let's talk about making your site more effective today!