I spend a lot of time looking at church websites. Often, I need information to understand how YCA can best serve them, but I also like to know as much as I can about the ministries we are engaging with.
Can we be real for a few moments? Many of the websites I see really don’t help the churches they represent. They make a terrible first impression for potential visitors.
Some common issues:
No church address or service times listed.
I can’t explain the thought process behind this one! The whole purpose of your website should be to help people attend in person.
Outdated information or photos.
This includes photos of events that happened years ago or bios of staff that are no longer at the church. Visitors want to know what you are doing today, not five years ago.
One thing I see a lot is links to sermons or podcasts that are several years old. Keep your details up to date or don’t use them. Outdated info suggests that nothing new is happening or you don’t care enough to share it online.
Calanders with no events scheduled. What does this communicate? That nothing is happening. Delete the calendar from your website or make sure it is updated.
Sloppy construction.
This includes links that don’t work, misspellings, and the “under construction” image that remains in place for years.
I know a church website that has its pastors name misspelled on his bio page. It has been that way for at least three years now. What does that communicate?
Building a good website can be expensive, so I understand why pastors try to build it themselves or ask a volunteer. Keep in mind that your website is often the first impression for your church. Invest in it. Make sure it is done with excellence.
Now don’t get me wrong, I see far more awesome examples than poor ones.
What makes a great church website?
- Make the homepage visitor-focused.
Quickly answer: Where are you located? When are services? What should I expect? What do you offer my family? - Put “Plan Your Visit” front and center.
Give first-time guests an obvious button that leads to service times, directions, parking, childcare, and what to expect. - Use real photos of your church.
Show actual people, worship services, children’s ministry, volunteers, and events rather than relying heavily on stock photography. - Keep information current.
Remove outdated events, old announcements, incorrect staff information, and expired registrations. An outdated website can make a church appear inactive. - Design for phones first.
Most visitors will likely encounter the site on a mobile device. Make sure buttons are easy to tap, text is readable, and important information isn’t buried. - Give visitors clear next steps.
Include prominent options such as Plan a Visit, Watch Online, Upcoming Events, Get Connected, Request Prayer, and Give Online. - Tell stories, not just make announcements.
Share testimonies, baptism stories, ministry highlights, photos, and short videos showing how God is working through the church. - Keep it simple.
Visitors shouldn’t have to dig through complicated menus. Focus the website around the things people actually come looking for and make those items easy to find.
A good test: Ask someone who doesn’t attend your church to visit the website for 60 seconds. Then ask them: When does the church meet? Where is it? What is the church like? How would you visit? If they can’t answer those questions easily, the website probably needs some work.