There are 344,894 church congregations in the US, according to the last US Religion Census.
Over 150 million participants visit these churches on a regular basis. Many use their church’s website to view activities and service times and to communicate with each other. Leaders who don’t have a web page presence lose out on this important ministry.
This article shows you how to build the best website for your church in 5 simple steps.
Read on to discover how to create and format your web pages. See why you need a domain name. And discover how to choose a church web design service to get you up and running.
Table of Contents
1. Choose a Domain Name
Every church has a street address so members know where to go to worship. A domain name or website address acts in the same way.
The www.yoursite.com points to your website and ensures visitors read your content and no one else’s.
Make sure your domain contains your church’s name. Replace spaces with hyphens or exclude them entirely. Keep it short and simple and easy to type.
Many providers let you search and register a domain name online. But before you pay, keep reading. You could get your web address for free!
2. Select a Church Web Design Specialist
Web designers who specialize in building church web pages are often your best choice.
The best offer easy-to-use tools like a church website builder so you can create your site within 3 minutes. All you need is the content for each page which you can update yourself.
The designer will guide and support you throughout the process. And some offer a domain name for free as part of the monthly package.
3. Use WordPress for Your Church Website
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that powers over 39% of the Internet.
It’s a powerful yet simple-to-use platform that you can add to as required. For example, WP’s plugins allow you to:
- Create photo slideshows to promote your ministry
- Manage and register events
- Share your members’ directory
If you can use a word processor you can use WordPress to add content. The system’s designed to let basic users edit information. But it’s flexible enough to offer advanced options if required.
4. Select a Theme
WordPress themes let you select a style that matches your congregation’s tastes.
Simply select a theme and activate it. WordPress automatically displays your existing content within the new ‘shell’. You can then edit colors and fonts and upload your church’s logo to better brand yourself online.
There’s no limit to the number of themes you can test.
If you decide to change it later the cost will be minimal. And most themes work on any device including mobile phones.
5. SEO and Statistics
Search engine optimization or SEO focuses on how well you rank on Google.
You can research what people search for online using the free Google Keyword Planner tool. Just enter a search phrase related to your church then add high-ranking keywords to your content for better search results.
Google also provides an Analytics tool for free.
Add it to your WordPress site using the Google Kit plugin. Then you can analyze who visits your web pages and where they came from.
Web Page Design Tips for Mobile and More
You can build a church website by reaching out to a specialist who can guide you on the best way forward.
Use WordPress to add your content and select a theme that fits. Add plugins to view statistics and promote yourself online with ease.
Remember to view our other articles on web page design and bookmark the site.
