Building a Better Church Website

We’ve had the pleasure to work with a number of churches on their church websites over the years, to help them have a better online presence, attract more members, and engage their current members. There are many advantages to having a well-designed website. Going into 2024, it’s important that church leadership understand how their current members, as well as potential members, are looking online for a church that fits their needs. Having a strong digital presence can communicate not just your service times and events, but also your core beliefs which can help potential members identify if your church is the right fit for them.

What style fits your church’s core beliefs?

Before you start to design your website, it’s important to figure out what style of website might best fit your church membership. Some churches are much more traditional, and some are much more modern. It’s important that your website not just have content that aligns with your beliefs, but is designed to convey the style of your church’s services in the appearance and layout of your site.

The appearance and functionality of a modern church website and a traditional church website can differ, reflecting the unique values, preferences, and communication styles of each congregation. A traditional church website tends to incorporate classic design elements, possibly echoing the architectural features of the physical church. It often employs subdued colors, traditional fonts, and imagery that conveys a sense of history and reverence. Visual elements on a traditional church website may include depictions of the church’s architecture, stained glass windows, and traditional religious symbols, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and timelessness. On the other hand, a modern church website typically embraces a clean and minimalistic design, featuring vibrant colors and contemporary fonts. Visual elements aim to convey a sense of relevance and contemporary engagement, steering away from the historical aesthetic seen in traditional church websites.

Before you decide on content, the first step is deciding on style. If your church is traditional, then the website should be traditional. If your church is more modern, then it should have a more modern style so that anyone landing on your website gets an immediate feel for the kind of church it is.

Choosing photos for your church website

Photos are an important part of your church website, so it’s important not to skimp on them.
Photos are important in enhancing the effectiveness of church websites by providing a visual narrative that connects with visitors on a personal level. These images offer a glimpse into the life of the church, capturing the essence of its community, worship services, and events. Through carefully curated photos, a church website can convey its values, atmosphere, and sense of inclusivity, helping potential attendees envision what to expect. Pictures of congregational activities, community outreach, and worship celebrations foster a sense of familiarity and warmth, making the website a more inviting space for both current members and those exploring the church for the first time. Additionally, visual elements contribute to a dynamic and engaging online presence, allowing the church to communicate its identity and mission effectively in the digital realm.

This means you shouldn’t just have photos of the outside of your church, you need the inside too. You need to include photos of activities and services (be sure to get permission from members before you post their photo online) to showcase everything your church has to offer.

For this reason, I typically recommend hiring a photographer to get some high-quality photos for your website. Employing a professional photographer for photos offers several advantages over attempting to capture images independently. A skilled photographer possesses the technical expertise and artistic sensibility to produce high-quality, visually appealing photographs to showcase your church in the best light. This expertise ensures that the images effectively communicate the atmosphere, values, and essence of the church, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the website.

Professional photographers also have access to advanced equipment, allowing them to capture images in various lighting conditions and environments. This ensures that the final photos are well-lit, sharp, and visually striking, contributing to a more polished and professional online presentation.

Furthermore, a photographer brings an objective and fresh perspective to the visual storytelling process. They can identify and highlight key elements that may be overlooked by those intimately familiar with the church’s surroundings, resulting in a more diverse and comprehensive representation.

Investing in a professional photographer for church website photos can significantly elevate the visual impact, professionalism, and authenticity of the online presence, ultimately making a positive impression on visitors and potential attendees.

What pages to include on your church website

1. Home Page:
   • The home page serves as the main entry point and should feature welcoming imagery, a brief overview of the church’s mission, upcoming events, and easy navigation to key sections.
2. About Us:
   • The “About Us” page provides a detailed overview of the church’s history, mission, core beliefs, leadership team, and any relevant affiliations. It helps visitors understand the identity and values of the church.
3. Services/Events:
   • This page should include information about regular worship services, special events, and activities. Include details such as service times, event calendars, and any registration or participation instructions.
4. Ministries:
   • Highlight the various ministries and outreach programs the church is involved in. Include descriptions, volunteer opportunities, and contact information for those interested in participating.
5. Sermons/Media:
   • Feature audio or video recordings of sermons, teachings, or other relevant media. This allows visitors to engage with the church’s messages and teachings, even if they are unable to attend in person. If you have a live stream option, add it as well.
6. Connect/Contact Us:
   • Provide contact information, including email addresses and a contact form, for inquiries or assistance. Include details on how visitors can connect with the church and get involved.
7. Giving/Donate:
   • In the current digital age, allowing online giving is no longer optional. Create a page dedicated to online donations that lets people donate online as well as provides instructions on how to donate offline for those who prefer that.
8. Join:
   • In my opinion, one of the most overlooked and forgotten page on a church website is a page on how to join. It can be very intimidating for people to change to a new church or start going to church for the first time. Keep reading for more information about what should go on this page.
9. FAQs:
   • Anticipate common questions and provide answers to create a user-friendly experience. Include information about parking, childcare, beliefs, and any other details that newcomers or regular attendees might inquire about.

Having these pages ensures that the church website is informative, engaging, and user-friendly, catering to the needs of both current members and potential visitors.

The Join Page

This might be the most important page on your website, and so many churches don’t have it. This is a page dedicated to how and why to join your church. If someone is considering joining, this page could make or break their decision. Here’s a breakdown of what to include.

1. Welcome Message:
   • Begin with a warm welcome and an introductory message that expresses the church’s enthusiasm for newcomers.
2. Membership Requirements:
   • Clearly outline the requirements and expectations for becoming a member. This may include attending an orientation class, agreeing to the church’s statement of faith, or participating in a membership interview.
3. Membership Benefits:
   • Highlight the benefits of joining the church community, such as spiritual support, fellowship, and opportunities for service and personal growth.
4. Membership Process:
   • Provide a step-by-step guide to the membership process, including any necessary forms or applications. Clearly explain the timeline and any specific events or classes involved.
5. Statement of Faith:
   • Present the church’s statement of faith or beliefs, giving potential members a clear understanding of the theological foundations of the community.
6. Meet the Leaders:
   • Introduce key church leaders and provide information about their roles. This can help newcomers feel more connected and familiar with the leadership team.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
   • Address common questions that individuals may have about joining the church. This could include inquiries about membership fees, commitments, or the integration process.
8. Contact Information:
   • Include contact details for someone responsible for membership inquiries. This may be a staff member, a dedicated volunteer, or a specific point of contact who can provide more information or address questions.
9. Photos:
   • Include photos throughout the page of the inside and outside of the church, church activities, and services, so potential members can get an idea of what attending your church is like.
10. Call-to-Action:
    • When a potential new member lands on your church’s website, what would you like the outcome of that engagement to be? I know you may be tempted to say that you want them to come to a service, and that is a great goal, but we can’t measure that goal on the website, so it’s important to have a Next Step that we can measure. Do you want people to contact you via the website to set up a time to visit? Do you want them to sign up online to attend a service? Make sure you include a specific invitation for whatever that next step is, and make sure it’s welcoming.

Incorporate Live Streaming

When COVID hit, live streaming church services became mandatory. Many churches did away with the live stream after things went back to normal, but if you have the ability to maintain a live stream, it’s a really good idea. There are a lot of reasons why someone might prefer a live stream service, including being ill, disabled, traveling, or just shy and nervous about coming in person. Giving them a way to watch your services online is a great addition to your church website. There are a lot ways you can incorporate live streamed services including Facebook, Zoom, YouTube, Vimeo, or a third-party platform for that purpose such as Resi or StreamingChurch.TV. What you choose will depend on your capabilities and budget, so feel free to shop around and find the right fit.

ADA Compliance

ADA compliance, in the context of a church website, refers to ensuring that the website is accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a U.S. federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires entities that provide goods and services to the public, including websites, to make their services accessible to everyone. That means your website should be usable by people without the need for a mouse. The photos should all have alt text. All videos should be captioned. Fonts should be readable/adjustable. There should be good contrast between your text and background. Navigation should be consistent throughout with proper heading structure. Check out this checklist for compliance for more information.

Church Website Maintenance

The last thing I want to touch on when it comes to your church website is maintenance. There will almost never be a time when a church website doesn’t need maintained. There are events to post, videos to upload, and more. It’s important to have a website support plan in place for your website, but I do want to give you a word of warning.

At some point, someone in your congregation may come forward, and volunteer to help. And it sounds like a great idea. They have some technical skills and they want to help for free. But more often than not, what I see is that volunteer helpers get busy or get tired of working for free, and end up moving on from their volunteer work. If that happens and they’ve been the only person maintaining the website, you’re often left with a website you can’t access or without knowledge of where they left off and what needs to be done. It’s important to have consistency when it comes to your website maintenance, and that usually means hiring a web design company to manage it for you. And while that is an added expense, it’s part of the cost of having an online presence in the modern age and it’s something you should plan for in your budget. Additionally, while it’s absolutely wonderful for church members to want to volunteer to help maintain your website, they often don’t have the understanding and background knowledge of current trends and best practices to make sure your website is operating properly at all times.