Series 2 · Is Your Website an Inviting Front Door, or a Bulletin Board? · Part 1 of 6
Try a simple test: open your church’s website on your phone and imagine you’ve never visited before. Can you get a feel for the church and see why you might want to come? Or are you looking at a long list of announcements, links and programs that only make sense if you already attend?
It’s easy for a church website to become a filing cabinet. Everyone needs somewhere to put an announcement, and over time, the site starts serving the people who know their way around. Meanwhile, a new guest is still trying to answer a few basic questions: What is this church like? Would my family feel comfortable here? What should we do next?
Your website can serve members and welcome newcomers. The key is to make that first visit feel like walking through an inviting front door, with a clear path and someone ready to help.
In Series 1, we looked at the moments that shape a person’s experience with your church. This series looks at the digital systems behind those moments—the things that help people find you, understand your church and take a next step.
The same three words guide us: Engage people where they’re searching. Tell your story clearly. Compel them toward a meaningful next step. One church, one story, every touchpoint.
Here’s where we’re headed:
- Part 2 — Make your events page useful to people who don’t know your group names yet.
- Part 3 — Use prayer, care and volunteer tools to help people do more than read about your church.
- Part 4 — Keep your website current when the person who built it moves on.
- Part 5 — Look at what a platform built around church life can offer.
- Part 6 — Connect the whole journey, from a first online search to serving on a team.
You don’t have to fix everything at once. Start by asking whether your website makes it easier for someone new to feel welcome. Then take the next step from there.
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