A compelling website is one of the most impactful things a church can do to attract new families and grow their community. Remember, though, first impressions are key! Your website should be clear, easy to navigate, and should have the information that new visitors need front and center.
Think of it this way: your existing congregation already knows about you, so you don’t need to capture their attention from the get-go. Information that they are looking for—such as events and programs—can be put on secondary pages. Your website’s homepage is often a new member’s first impression of you, and it serves as your church’s virtual front door. Just like your kids’ soccer schedule and your family’s dental appointments are likely hung on the fridge door instead of in your front entrance, your website needs to be warm, welcoming, and attractive to newcomers.
If potential new members aren’t inspired to take action within three seconds of visiting your website, they’re more likely to leave and look at another church in your area. At the very least, your home page should include “I’m New”, “Plan A Visit” and “Connect” buttons. Here are some top tips on how to maximize your church’s website and, in turn, grow your community.
Beautiful, Authentic, and Inviting Images
It’s true what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words. High-quality, engaging photos will show new visitors what your community is all about. If a professional photographer isn’t in your budget, put a call out to your community—you may already know someone who has the right skills and equipment! Try and avoid using stock images wherever possible, since they don’t accurately represent YOUR church.
Photos should be candid and authentic, but still high-quality. Start with photos of people being greeted as they walk into your church, photos of your worship service, your kids ministries, and youth groups.
Your website’s home page should include a ‘hero’ image that showcases your church’s warm, welcoming atmosphere. Remember, the goal is to make visitors say “I want to be a part of that!” when they visit your site.
An “I’m New” Page
An “I’m New” page will likely be the initial place a potential new member clicks when they visit your site for the first time. The purpose of this page is to help sell the idea of your church’s community. This is where you’ll show off your church’s “key features”, such as:
- Your church’s music
- Opportunities for service
- Family ministry
- And anything else that makes you stand out
A “Plan Your Visit” Page
First-time visitors will need to know what to expect when they attend your church’s service. Rather than focusing on a sales-style approach, this page serves to reassure would-be visitors that they are making the right decision by joining your community. Do you have any unique customs or traditions? Who will greet them at the door? What about their children? Make sure this page answers the burning questions your visitors are most likely looking for.
Give families the ability to pre-register their kids for children’s ministries. Not sure how to do this? Our team can help provide integrations so that new parents can input their family’s information, saving them valuable time when they arrive for the service.
You may also want to include a button that leads to a short form where a new member can sign up to personally meet with a current member of your church. Invite them to join you at the information table so you can get to know them and show them around your church.
A “Next Steps” Page
After attending an event or a few services at your church, new community members may have additional questions about how they can take the next step on their faith journey. Share any information they may need here, including how to get baptized, what small groups you offer, dates for upcoming growth track/Christianity 101-104, or other ways they can get involved. True Engagement Media can help you amplify your event attendance with digital invitations which provide information and the ability to sign up for events in advance.
Additional Ways To Engage
While it’s crucial to tailor your church’s website towards attracting new members, it’s also important to include information for existing community members, or those who aren’t yet ready to take the first step on their journey. In addition to the “I’m New”, “Plan Your Visit” and “Next Steps” pages, you may want to include the following:
- An About page, showcasing your church’s history and information about your pastors
- A Connect/Groups page, showcasing types of small groups you have available
- An On Site page, where you post sermons and sermon notes
- An Event/Calendar page
- A Serving page, where you share details on how community members can get involved
- A Giving page, where you give members a way to give online. Remember this is NOT the focus of your site, and should be a very low-key, almost unnoticeable page.
At True Engagement Media, we’re passionate about helping local churches grow their community. We truly believe that digital marketing solutions—such as website design, business listings, and digital invitations—are the key to reaching new members. Visit our website to learn more about our offerings, schedule a free informational meeting with us, or call 1-703-919-1225 to get in touch today!