What should a church website include?
Are you thinking of creating a church website? Here are 10 important things you should prominently display on your website.
10 things that make a good church website
Essential Church Information
Your website should have the name of the church indicated on the home page. You want your visitors to know they have landed on the correct website.
You want anyone visiting your website to know they have landed on a church website, not a business or school website. Some church websites look like business websites which results in visitors leaving.
Use branding that indicates it’s a church website. If it means putting the word church on the welcome section, do it.
You would be surprised by how many websites miss this point. You don’t want anyone visiting your website to leave just because they think you are a school or a business.
Location address
Your church location is a piece of crucial information that is searched for online. Giving your location provides an opportunity for new people to come and visit you.
Without a clear location address, you lose visitors who would have come to see and interact with you.
A written physical address is sufficient. You can also use a map image or an embedded map to provide a graphical of your location.
If your church has multiple locations, provide the address for all the locations.
Worship Types and Times
Your services times are also important to your website visitors.
They want to plan and attend a service. If they don’t see the times for each session, they will probably look elsewhere.
Belief/ mission statement
Let your visitors know why your church exists. If it aligns with the beliefs of your visitors, they are more likely to join and become part of your church.
Christians moving from other areas will also use your mission to gauge if this is the church they would like to join. Also, you reduce friction that occurs when new members don’t know your church’s mission.
Special Needs
You have been running the church, and you understand that people have unique needs. As a church, be upfront and indicate special needs and services you can cater for.
Setting the expectations early on lets your visitors decide whether your church will meet their needs.
You should provide information on important aspects of your church that needs clarification. Some ideas might include: • Children care services • Disability amenities
If it’s something that you think that can cause challenges or embarrassment, let them know beforehand. They will thank you for it.
Church Pictures
Include real pictures of your church. They will help them identify and locate your church from other buildings and compounds. A good image of your front entrance is ideal.
If you can, include some pictures of one of your services in session.
Ministries/ Opportunities to get involved
Your regular church members might want to contribute their time and skills to your church. Provide this information on your websites, and they will have an easier time identifying needs they can meet in your church.
Leadership and Staff Information
When visitors land on your website, they are looking to join a church community with real people.
Use this chance to connect with potential members. Share brief and unique stories of your willing staff members.
Potential church members will feel comfortable when they meet a person they already saw on your website. They might even ask to meet a specific person.
Events
Events bring people together. Share your upcoming events on your websites to attract more people to the events.
You might even attract new members based on events that interest them.
Visitors information
Provide basic information that the majority of visitors ask for or need. It is a quick way to reach new people without overwhelming them with a lot of information.
If you have information that might be useful to new people, share it on your website. Some ideas might include: ebooks, video from the pastor, a visitor’s guide, or visiting schedule. ## Social media links Are you active on social media channels? Then add links to your social accounts on your website. You might be able to boost your social media engagement.
## Sermons You are already recording church sermons; the next step would be sharing them online.
You can embed the sermons on your website. If you can’t, share a link to the platform where they can watch or listen to them.
Remember, your church website should meet the needs of current and potential members, so as you make your website, think of both groups.
Conclusion
Church websites are notorious for omitting this information. Don’t be among such churches.
Did I miss any vital information that your church members always want on your church website?
Share the details on Twitter.