Key Principles

1. Audience First

   Your website should serve both your church members and your local community. For visitors, it should clearly communicate your church’s mission, values, and what they can expect when they attend for the first time. For members, it should provide quick access to service times, ministry updates, and media content.

2. Mobile-First Design

   Since most people now visit websites on their phones or tablets, ensure your site is optimised for smaller devices.

3. Easy Navigation

   Visitors should be able to find the information they need within three clicks. Structure your site with clear menus and group related content under logical categories (e.g., Ministries, Events and Sermons).

4. Fresh Content

   An up-to-date website builds trust and encourages repeat visits. Regularly update your website with upcoming events, current initiatives, and relevant church news.

5. Visual Appeal

   First impressions matter. Use high-resolution and engaging images, and short video clips to reflect the life and energy of your church. Consistent branding, modern typography, and a balanced colour palette help create a professional and welcoming feel.

Core Website Pages

1. Home Page

• Purpose: Create a warm first impression and help users find what they need quickly.
• Consider including:
  • A welcome message or short video from the pastor
  • Service times and church location
  • Prominent call-to-action buttons such as:
    • Plan a Visit
    • Watch Online
    • Give

2. About Us

• Purpose: Share about your church’s identity, beliefs, and leadership.
• Consider including:
  • Mission and vision statements
  • A brief history of your church
  • Pastor and leadership bios with photos
  • What visitors can expect when attending

3. Plan Your Visit (For Newcomers)

• Purpose: Ease the uncertainty for first-time guests.
• Consider including:
  • Parking information
  • Weekly service schedule (e.g., Sabbath School, Divine Service, Prayer Meeting)
  • A simple contact form for first-time visitors

4. Ministries

• Purpose: Help people connect and grow spiritually.
• Consider including:
  • A list of active church departments (e.g., Men’s, Women’s, Youth, Children’s, Prayer)
  • Brief descriptions of each department and information on how to get involved

5. Events / Calendar

• Purpose: Keep members informed and engaged.
• Consider including:
  • Details of upcoming services, Bible studies, and community events
  • Information on how members can participate or volunteer

6. Giving

• Purpose: Make it easy and straightforward for people to return their tithes and offerings.
• Consider including:
  • A short explanation of tithes & offerings and their impact
  • A link to the NEC online giving platform - 7me

7. Contact

• Purpose: Make it easy for people to get in touch.
• Consider including:
  • Church address, phone number and email address
  • A contact form, possibly with a dropdown to select specific departments

Other Resources

These resources include workshop recordings we’ve organised as well as resources from other Christian ministries. Please review them carefully and adapt the ideas to fit your local church context.

• Introducing a New Website for Local Churches - https://youtu.be/U_MDMlNFhtM?si=UmXlVDPCQNHTEs8G
• Running an Effective, Evangelistic Church Website - https://youtu.be/yVyWf5loLtU?si=WkesmjzDg5UTIoFi
• The Church Website Organisation Checklist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Oy0iSojNk