The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Successful Church Website (2025 Edition)

When it comes to church websites, the first impression is everything. 

This is especially true for Christian churches, historically stereotyped as boring, bland, and traditional. However, this is quickly changing as more and more churches realize the importance of a modernized, easy-to-navigate website. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of a church website and the best practices for creating a website that will attract visitors, keep them engaged, and ultimately grow your congregation!

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Why Every Church Needs a Website (And Why Yours Must Stand Out)

In today’s digital age, a website is often the first impression someone has of your church. Whether a new family is exploring places to worship or a regular attendee is looking for event details, your website should be a welcoming, comprehensive, and accessible resource.

According to Pew Research, nearly 77% of adults look up organizations online before deciding to engage with them. For churches, this means your online presence could determine whether someone decides to visit in person.

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Key Facts and Benefits of Having a Church Website

• 77% of people research online before visiting a church.
• Your website is your digital front door—make it inviting!
• Key benefits of a church website:
  
  • Increase attendance
  • Encourage engagement & donations
  • Improve communication & event planning
  • Grow an online faith community

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Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Church Website

Step 1: Choose Your Domain Name & Hosting

• What is a domain name? (e.g., "gracechurch.org" or "cityfaith.church")
• Best domain extensions for churches: .com, .org, .church
• Recommended church-friendly hosting providers:
  
  • 🏆 Best Overall: WP Engine (secure & optimized for WordPress)
  • 💰 Best Budget-Friendly: SiteGround (affordable & fast)
  • 🌱 Best for Beginners: Bluehost (one-click WordPress setup)

Step 2: Pick the Best Church Website Builder

• Best Church Website Builders (Ranked for 2025)
  
  • Best All-in-One Church Website Builder: Tithely Sites
  • Most Customizable: WordPress.org
  • Best for Beautiful Designs: Squarespace
  • Easiest to Use: Wix
  • Best for Media & Sermons: ShareFaith

If your church wants complete customization, go with WordPress. If you want something simple, ready-to-go, and made specifically for churches, choose Tithely Sites.

Step 3: Select a Church Website Template or Theme

• Best WordPress themes for churches:
  
  • Faith (simple & clean)
  • The Church Lite (modern & feature-rich)
  • Salvation (perfect for sermon-heavy churches)
• Best Church Website Themes on Wix, Squarespace, and ShareFaith
  • Church on the Living Edge (wix.com) - bold color scheme and clear menu bar
  • Modern Church (ShareFaith) - clean and contemporary
  • Classic Worship (ShareFaith) - traditional, simple, easy navigation

Step 4: Design Your Church Website for Engagement

• Use a welcoming color scheme
• Include real church photos—stock photos feel impersonal!
• Make navigation simple & mobile-friendly (50% of traffic is on phones)
• Highlight service times & location clearly on the homepage

Step 5: Add Essential Church Website Features

‍A great church website should have the following:

✔ Home Page – Welcoming message, service times, location.
✔ About Us – Church history, mission, leadership team.
✔ Sermons Page – Audio, video, or text versions of past sermons.
✔ Events Page – List of upcoming services, community events, and programs.
✔ Giving Page – Secure online donation options.
✔ Contact Page – Address, phone number, email, social media links.

Step 6: Optimize Your Website for SEO & Mobile Users

• Use Church-Focused Keywords (church services, youth group, bible study, etc.)
• Optimize for mobile (Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites)
• Improve page speed (Slow sites lose visitors)
• Set up Google Business Profile (Boost local visibility)

Step 7: Publish & Promote Your Website

• Announce it in Sunday services & bulletins
• Share it on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

Create a church email newsletter with links to sermons & events

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Features of the Best Church Websites

To create a standout church website, certain features are essential. Let’s explore what they are and why they matter:

1. A Warm and Concise “About Us” Section

Your "About Us" page should clearly communicate your church’s mission, core beliefs, and values. This is your chance to show who you are, what your church stands for, and what newcomers can expect. Consider including:

• A short video introduction from your pastor or leadership team.
• A welcoming message highlighting your inclusivity and community involvement.
• Brief details about your denomination or theological perspective.

2. A Detailed Service Schedule

Make it easy for visitors to know when and where they can join your worship services. Include:

• Times for in-person and online services.
• Links for live-streaming options.
• Information about childcare or kids’ programs.

3. Online Giving Options

Facilitating online donations is essential for modern church websites. According to Nonprofit Source, 49% of all church donations are made with a credit card. Popular online giving platforms include:

• Tithely: A simple, user-friendly giving solution.
• Pushpay: Offers recurring giving and mobile app integrations.
• PayPal for Nonprofits: Trusted for easy donations with minimal setup.

Be sure to include a secure, visually prominent button for online giving on your homepage.

4. An Updated Calendar of Events

Whether it’s a Bible study, youth group meeting, or volunteer opportunity, an updated events calendar ensures your members and visitors stay informed. Features to consider:

• Filters by event type (e.g., “Family Events,” “Outreach,” “Worship”).
• Integration with tools like Google Calendar or Eventbrite.
• RSVP or sign-up capabilities for special events.

5. A Searchable Directory of Ministries

Your church likely offers a variety of ministries for different demographics or interests. A searchable directory allows visitors to:

• Explore groups like youth ministry, small groups, or choir.
• Contact group leaders directly via email or a contact form.
• Learn more about the purpose of each ministry.

6. Mobile Responsiveness

More than 50% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices (Statista). Ensure your church website:

• Adapts seamlessly to all screen sizes.
• Has large, easy-to-read text and simple navigation.
• Loads quickly, even on slower connections.

7. Fresh and Engaging Content

A static website can feel stale and uninviting. Regular updates show that your church is active and thriving. Ideas include:

• Weekly blog posts from your pastor or leadership team.
• Photo galleries of recent events or services.
• Short video clips highlighting sermons, community work, or testimonials.

8. Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

Every page on your website should guide visitors to take the next step. Examples of CTAs:

• “Plan Your Visit” button leading to a contact form or location map.
• “Give Now” button for online donations.
• “Join a Ministry” button directing users to group sign-ups.

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Best Examples of Church Websites for Inspiration

Need more inspiration? Here are 15 more examples of our favorite church websites.

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How to Make a Church Website FAQs

How much does it cost to build a church website?

The cost of building a church website can vary greatly depending on the features, design, and level of customization you need. For a professional website, churches can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for initial setup, plus ongoing hosting fees ranging from $10 to $50 per month. If you opt for additional features like custom app integrations, live streaming, or advanced giving tools, these costs may increase. However, many content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Squarespace offer affordable website-building options with user-friendly templates.

For churches with limited budgets, there are also free website solutions available. Platforms like Tithely offer low-cost website options specifically designed for ministries. These solutions often include essential features such as donation tools, event calendars, and sermon uploads at no extra cost. While free options may come with fewer customization choices, they can be an excellent starting point for small or resource-constrained congregations. Be sure to explore what's included and whether the platform meets your specific needs.

Do we need a church website if we have a Facebook page?

Yes, a church website is still essential even if you have a Facebook page. A website gives you full control over content, improves credibility, and ensures accessibility for those who don’t use social media. It serves as a central hub for key information like service times, events, online giving, and sermon archives while improving search engine visibility. Unlike Facebook, a website isn't subject to algorithm changes or distractions, making it a more reliable and professional platform for both new visitors and members.

What elements does a church website need?

If you’re wondering what the most essential elements of a church website are, consider the following:

Logo: Make sure your church’s logo is prominent on your website. This will help people identify your church and build a positive association with your church. 

Text: Write text that is clear and concise. Your website is a great place to provide context about your church’s vision, mission, and other important information. Please keep in mind that you want your website to be user-friendly, so don’t just cram information onto the page like it’s a church newsletter. Instead, think about what information people will want to see and cater to that.

Photos: Take time to upload good-quality images. This is one of the most essential elements of a church website. People are visual learners and will often remember a church or ministry based on the photos they see. It’s also important to take the time to upload photos that are relevant to your church and your ministry. This will help people connect with your church and build a positive association. 

Call to Action: Make sure your website has a call to action. This could be as simple as a “Contact Us” button on the homepage or a link to church service times. Whatever the call to action may be, it’s essential to have one on your website so people can connect with you. This is the best way to engage your visitors and encourage them to attend your church or make a donation. 

Theme: If your website has a theme, make sure to maintain this theme throughout your website. This will help your visitors feel like they’re on the same page or in the same place with your church. It will also help build a sense of belonging and familiarity which is critical to people trying to connect with a church. 

Social Media: Ensure your website includes your social media profiles. This will help people to connect with the ministries and events that are happening at your church. It will also increase the number of people who see your content and learn about your church. 

With these elements well-planned and implemented, your church website will be in a great position to spread the gospel and attract visitors. 

Why is building a church website necessary?

 Here are just a few reasons why it’s so important to invest in a church website:

 1. To build your online footprint. When people find your church online, they’re able to get a better sense of who you are, what you believe, and what you’re about. This helps people connect with your vision, which is huge when it comes to turning people into churchgoers. 

2. To serve as your church’s central hub. Your church website is more than just a collection of church web pages. It’s the place where you can direct people to learn more about what you’re all about, where they can find out more about upcoming events, and where they can sign up to get involved. 

3. To share your church’s story. Your website is the best place to tell the story of your church. You can use it to share how your church came to be, what your mission is, what you’re all about, and why you’re doing what you’re doing. This helps people understand why your church is a good fit for them, and it helps you build a sense of community. 

4. To help people take the next step. You’re constantly working to turn people into churchgoers, and your website is a great tool for helping people take the next step. When people visit your website, you can use it as an opportunity to invite them to your next service, special event, or series.

You can also use your website to highlight what’s happening at your church, which encourages people to learn more. But don’t just share information on your website, also show people how they can get involved. This helps people feel like they’re a part of something bigger. 

5. To build a community. One of the best ways to build a sense of community is to create a place where people can come together. The more people you can connect with online, the more opportunities you’ll have to meet and build relationships in person. As a result, you’ll be able to build a community that extends beyond your four walls. 

What content is necessary for a church website?

A church website needs to contain a great deal of content, but it can be hard to figure out what is required and what type of content is necessary. 

The best advice is to focus on creating content that will help tell your church’s story and answer questions. This content should be developed and shared engagingly and excitingly, but not over-the-top. 

Church websites typically contain sermons, Bible verses, prayer requests, testimonies, articles, videos, donations, and more.

Donations are a major component of church websites, so it’s important to have a strong donation page. This page should be designed to get visitors to donate, and it should be easy for visitors to do this. The goal is to get visitors to give, not to get visitors to buy. Therefore, it’s important to have a clear call to action on your donation page. If you're interested in learning more about this, check out Tithely.

There is no right or wrong way to share your content on a church website, but the best way to determine the content needed is to ask yourself these questions:  

1. What do I want visitors to do after viewing the website? 

2. What do I want visitors to learn about my church?  

3. How can I deepen the relationships with members who cannot attend services? 

By answering these questions, you will develop a strategy for what types of content to include on your church website. The most important thing is to give people an opportunity to get to know your church and build relationships with members. 

How do you build a church website?

When you’re trying to build a website, you can make it yourself using a church website platform (website builder), a content management system (CMS), or you can hire a web developer.

‍Tithely website builder is an excellent option to get started with. It’s easy to use, and you can build a great-looking site without any design or coding skills. It also comes with lots of customization so you can create a site that looks exactly the way you want it to look. 

Similarly, you can build your site using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. WordPress powers over 30% of all websites, so it’s something your church can learn if the time and resources are in-house. With a CMS, you can make your site look and function the way you want due to its greater flexibility, but this of course comes with a learning curve. 

Lastly, you can hire a web developer to build a custom site. Choosing this option might cost more, take longer, but it will give you a site that is customized specifically for your church. This is usually the best option if your church has the budget and wants a professional-looking site, with great functionality, that stands out.

How can we make sure our website is welcoming for all congregants?

To make your website welcoming for all congregants, ensure it has a clean, easy-to-navigate design with clear service times, location details, and a friendly welcome message. Use inclusive language, high-quality images of your community, and accessible features like readable fonts, alt text for images, and mobile-friendly formatting. Provide content for various audiences, including newcomers, families, and longtime members, with sections for sermons, events, and ministries. A contact form, prayer request option, and online giving make it easier for people to engage and feel connected

What platform is best for building a church website?

The best platform for building a church website depends on your needs and technical expertise. Tithely (Church Website Builder) is a great option designed specifically for churches, offering built-in giving, sermon hosting, and event management. Wix and Squarespace provide user-friendly, customizable templates with drag-and-drop functionality, while Sharefaith offers ministry-focused features like sermon libraries and media integration. Choose a platform that aligns with your church’s goals, budget, and ease of use.

Final Thoughts

Creating the best church website doesn’t require a massive budget, but it does require thoughtful planning and consistent updates. By focusing on user experience, relevant content, and clear communication, your website can become a welcoming and informative hub that reflects your church’s mission and values.

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