10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Church Website Platform

Your church’s website isn’t just an online placeholder—it’s a central hub for outreach, connection, and communication with your congregation and beyond. However, not all website platforms are created equal, and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To make an informed decision, you need to assess each platform carefully. Below, we’ll walk through the key questions you should ask when selecting a church website platform, ensuring it aligns with your ministry's needs and goals.

Why Is Your Church Website Platform Important?

A well-designed church website can:

• Serve as the first impression for new visitors searching for a church.
• Provide crucial information like service times, location, and upcoming events.
• Act as a portal for sermon streaming, online giving, and prayer requests.
• Strengthen engagement with your congregation and attract new members.

But to accomplish these goals, your church needs a reliable and feature-rich platform. Let’s dive into the specific questions to guide your decision.

Does the Platform Offer Church-Specific Features?

Churches have unique needs compared to other organizations. Look for a platform tailored to churches, with features such as:

• Sermon video/audio hosting.
• Online donation integration.
• Event registration tools for Bible studies, youth groups, or special services.
• Volunteer sign-up forms.
• Prayer request forms.

Some platforms, like Tithe.ly and Subsplash, cater specifically to churches and include these features out of the box. Ensure the platform supports the spiritual and practical aspects of your ministry.

Is the Platform Easy to Use?

If your church doesn’t have an in-house tech team, ease of use is a top priority. Ask yourself:

• Can non-technical staff or volunteers update the site easily?
• Does the platform have a drag-and-drop editor or require coding knowledge?
• Are there pre-built templates for churches?

User-friendly platforms like Wix or Tithe.ly offer intuitive design tools that make it easy for anyone to maintain the site, even without technical expertise.

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Is the Platform Mobile-Friendly?

With over 60% of web traffic coming from mobile devices (Statista, 2023), having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. Confirm the platform provides:

• Responsive design (automatically adjusts for smartphones and tablets).
• Fast load times on mobile devices.
• Easy-to-navigate menus for smaller screens.

Most platforms now include responsive templates by default, but it’s always worth double-checking how your site will look on mobile before committing.

Does It Offer Online Giving Options?

Online giving is a key feature for most church websites, especially as more congregants prefer digital payment methods. Ask:

• Does the platform integrate with giving tools like Tithe.ly, Pushpay, or PayPal?
• Can you track and manage donations directly through the site?
• Are there additional fees for processing donations?

Choosing a platform with seamless online giving options ensures convenience for your congregation and minimizes administrative headaches for your team.

How Customizable Is the Design?

Your church’s website should reflect your mission, values, and community. Look for:

• Flexible templates that allow you to incorporate your branding, such as logos, colors, and fonts.
• Options to customize pages for specific ministries (e.g., children’s ministry, youth group, outreach programs).
• The ability to add multimedia, such as photos, videos, or slideshows.

While platforms like Squarespace and Wix offer great customization, church-specific platforms like Subsplash provide templates designed for worship experiences and ministries.

Does It Include SEO Features?

Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures that people searching for a church in your area can find you. Consider these SEO capabilities:

• Can you add meta titles, descriptions, and alt text for images?
• Does the platform generate a sitemap for search engines?
• Are there tools to optimize page load speeds?

Platforms like WordPress and Squarespace offer robust SEO features, while some church-specific platforms may be more limited in this area.

What Are the Costs?

Budget is an important factor for any church. Ask:

• What is the platform’s pricing structure (monthly subscription, annual fees, or one-time costs)?
• Are there additional costs for premium features, templates, or plugins?
• Does the platform charge for hosting or domain registration?

Platforms like WordPress may have lower initial costs but could require paid plugins or hosting services. Conversely, all-in-one solutions like Tithe.ly Website Builder often bundle hosting, templates, and church-specific features into a single subscription.

Does the Platform Offer Support?

Website issues can disrupt communication with your congregation. Ask:

• Does the platform offer 24/7 customer support?
• Are there tutorials, guides, or training resources available?
• Can you connect with a dedicated support team if needed?

Church-specific platforms like Tithe.ly and Faithlife Sites often provide specialized support, ensuring your team gets help when they need it most.

Does It Support Scalability?

Your church is likely to grow, and your website should grow with it. Check whether the platform can:

• Handle increased traffic during special events or live streams.
• Integrate with new technologies or features as your needs evolve.
• Provide storage space for expanding sermon archives, multimedia, or ministry pages.

A scalable platform ensures your website can adapt to your church’s future needs without requiring a complete overhaul.

Are There Security Features in Place?

With the rise of cyber threats, your church website must prioritize security. Ask:

• Does the platform include SSL certificates for secure browsing?
• Are there regular updates and patches to protect against vulnerabilities?
• Is there protection for sensitive data, like online giving and prayer requests?

Platforms with built-in security features provide peace of mind for your church and congregation.

Conclusion

Choosing the right church website platform is an investment in your ministry’s digital presence. Consider it a digital mission field that is ripe for harvesting. By asking the right questions—about features, ease of use, mobile compatibility, and more—you can ensure your website meets the needs of your congregation and aligns with your mission. Take the time to consider a few church website platforms to find the best fit for your church.