Despite the enormous possibilities for church websites, many of them are ineffective. With that in mind let’s take a detailed look at the subject of church websites, what makes them effective, and showcase some of the best examples of church website designs. Characteristics of Effective Church Websites: If you are designing a church website there are some specific things that you will need to keep in mind in order to maximize the effectiveness of the site. Here is a quick look at some of the most important elements of church websites. We build stunning church websites! Looking for a youth ministry website template? Join Sharefaith today and get access to 38,000 Christian graphics plus your very own. Communicating to the Right Audience There are two primary audiences for most church websites, and these audiences have very different needs. The first audience consists of church members and regular attendees, and the second audience is people who are looking for information about the church. Members and attendees will typically visit the site to look for information on upcoming events or specific ministries of the church. People who are considering visiting the church will likely be looking for things like the location (address or directions) service times, and what the church believes or practices. In order for a church website to be effective it must address the needs of both of these audiences and make it easy for them to find what they are looking for. In recent years a number of churches have been moving to platforms like for managing the needs of the church body, which leaves the church website to primarily serve people who are new to the church. Presents the Church Effectively Each church has its own culture, style, and practices. Website visitors who are looking for a church will typically want to have an idea of what they should expect if they are to visit for a worship service. Will it be traditional and formal, or more contemporary and informal? Websites can and should do an effective job of communicating the churches style and culture for those who have never attended. Service Information and Directions The website should clearly list the schedule of services (dates and times) as well as the address or location. Make it easy for website visitors to know when and where they should be if they want to visit the church. If the church has multiple services or multiple locations, provide plenty of information to explain the situation to those who have never attended a service. This information should be no more than 1 or 2 clicks from the homepage, and it should be extremely easy to find. Presentation of Ministries Some websites visitors will want to be able to find out what ministries the church provides. Church members and attendees could be interested in this information to find opportunities to get involved, and those who are new to the church may want to see what a church has to offer, or they may be looking for a specific program or ministry. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The website should provide at least basic information on the various ministries of the church, and ideally contact information for someone involved or in charge of the ministry. Church Contact Information Some of the website visitors will be arriving to find contact information, like a phone number or email address. Every church website should include at least a phone number for the office and a contact form that can be filled out. Many churches also include contact information for pastors and staff. Attractive Design Like any type of website, visual appearance counts. While the design is not as critical as the content and information, making a positive first impression requires an effective design. In today’s world it is also helpful to have a responsive design in order to preset the site effectively to visitors on smartphones and tablets. Showcase of Beautiful Church Websites Now let’s dive in and take a look at some well-design church sites and see what makes them stand out. Why it works: • Classic colors and a simple clean layout give this template design a very sophisticated and versatile look. • The navigation gives churches a lot of options for what to include on their website including sermons, events, and–my personal favorite–a page to post families who are members of that church. • This template is fully responsive and completely customizable. • And it’s FREE! Why it works: • The bright cheery colors used in this site’s design are visually inviting. • This website is a one-page website, but the clean, simple design organizes the wealth of information in a way so as it doesn’t look at all cluttered. • This template is another fully responsive template so it will look great on mobile, tablet or desktop. • And the best part. Why it works: • The design of this site uses a fairly simple style, but it looks great and is user friendly. • The navigation has been thought out very out. The “Times & Locations” link in the header stands out, making it easy to find. Other navigation links like “I’m New”, “Next Steps”, and “Get Help” make it easy for website visitors to find what they need. • The “My Long Hollow” link in the header allows church members and attendees to login and access relevant content. Why it works: • This site has a very un-cookie-cutter-like look and feel that makes it stand out. From the large image on the homepage, to the bold typography and colors, it is a unique design. • Right in the middle of the homepage you’ll find links for driving directions, service times, and contact information. All of these are important elements and this design gives them the priority that they need. • The sticky header is a nice touch that makes navigation a little bit easier. • This design and layout is also responsive, so it works well on any device. Why it works: • The design uses a nice subtle textured background that has an impact without being overpowering. • The “Who We Are” and “Next Steps” links in the navigation menu provide easy-to-find information for anyone who is new to the church. • The “Locations & Services” link at the top of the page is easy to find. • Social media is also incorporated into the website. Why it works: • The “I’m New” link in the main navigation gives first-time visitors the information that they need. • The color scheme of this site helps to make the design look great. • Below the slider you’ll find graphics and links for “Get Connected”, “Give Online”, and “Prayer”. These graphics look great and they also help with making the site easy to use and navigate. • The “Calendar” link in the site’s header makes it easy for church members and attendees to find the details of upcoming events. Why it works: • The overall design of the site looks highly professional and presents a positive first impression. • This is a multi-location church, and in the header you can use the dropdown to get information about all three of their locations. • Service times are easy to find thanks to the button in the header. • The homepage includes an “Our Mission” sections with a link to more information. This is the type of content that many first-time visitors will want to find. Why it works: • The homepage uses a color scheme that gets attention. • The design and layout is responsive and looks great on large or small screens. • Locations and service times can be easily accessed from the navigation menu. • The “About” section, the dropdown links listed under “About”, provides relevant information for anyone who has never visited the church. Why it works: • The full-screen slider on the homepage presents a powerful visual impact for website visitors. The slider uses quality photographs and looks great. Why it works: • The site uses a clean layout that presents information effectively and makes navigation logical, • The color scheme is attractive. The green color is strong, but since it is used sparingly it is not overpowering, and it helps to cause specific elements in the design to stand out. • There is a lot of information on the site and many pages, but it is well organized and the drop down navigation makes it pretty easy to find something. • The “online visitor center” (linked just below the slider) provides all the information that first-time visitors would need. Why it works: • The overall design of the site looks great, including the slider on the homepage. • Service times and directions are very easy to find, with a link at the top of the site. • Major sections of the site are easy to find with clear navigation. The area below the slider includes links to “online services” and “I’m new here”, which are likely to be among the most important areas of the site. • Social icons in the header make it easy for visitors to connect via their favorite social media site. Why it works: • The large homepage image helps to make a strong visual impact • The main navigation links are clearly communicated and make navigating the site pretty easy. Why it works: • The “I’m New” and “Who We Are” links, the first two in the navigation menu, make it very easy for people who are new to the church to find the content and information that they need. • Other important items like service times and directions are also easy to find. • The homepage slider makes a strong visual impact. Why it works: • The full-screen slider on the home page makes a strong visual impact and allows the church to promote certain events and ministries. • The “Plan a Visit” link in the main navigation provides first-time visitors with the information they will need for their first visit to the church. • The design and layout is responsive, so it works well on tablets and smartphones. Why it works: • The huge slider on the homepage gives this site a memorable appearance. • Below the slider are links which are helpful for finding some of the more important content on the site. • The design and layout of the site is responsive Why it works: • The “Start Here” link on the homepage can’t be missed. From there you can get information for a first visit, learn about becoming a church member, learn about the ministries of the church, find a place to serve, and more. • The full-screen slide makes a strong impression, and the photos and graphics used in the slider look great. • Service times are listed clearly in the header. • The design is responsive. Why it works: • The navigation menu items (I am New, Ministries, Serve, Media, Calendar, and About Us) make the site logical and easy to navigate. • The color scheme is appealing. • The responsive layout looks good on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. • The homepage slide gives information about service times, and that information can also be found below the slider. Why it works: • The design and layout are very clean and professional-looking. • Service times and locations are extremely easy to find • The dropdown navigation under “Who We Are” and “Connect” make it easy to find specific information. Why it works: • Service times and locations are very easy to find right from the homepage. • Facebook and Twitter links make it easy for visitors to connect on social media. • The buttons on the homepage for “I’m New Here”, “Connect”, “Go”, and “Media & Resources” make it easy for visitors to find important information. Why it works: • Overall the site is easy to navigate and well designed. Why it works: • The site uses a nice design with a wood background, attractive header, and clean content area. • The “Visit” link (first link in the navigation menu) provides all of the information needed by those who are new to the church. • The dropdown menu links help to make the site easy to navigate. • The most recent sermon audio file can be easily found on the homepage. This is something that many attendees will look for when they miss a service. Why it works: • There is a lot going on at the homepage with a lot of different graphics, but the links in the main navigation give the site a clear structure. Those who are new can get the information they need from the “Visit” link. • The site’s design and color scheme is rather simple, which allows the photos and graphics to stand out. • The layout is responsive, so it provides a good user experience on any device. Why it works: • The clean design style looks great and present the content effectively. • On the homepage, right below the main image, the service times are listed along with the address of the church. • The design is responsive and adapts well to any size screen. Why it works: • The design of this site is very clean and professional-looking. • The “New to Glad Tidings?” page (included in the main navigation menu) provides all of the relevant information for anyone who is new to the church. • The design is responsive and looks great on devices of any size. Why it works: • Although the design and layout is pretty simple, it does look professional and presents a positive first impression. • The main navigation is logical and the most relevant information can be found pretty easily. • The “visitors” page includes information relevant to those who are new to the church, and the graphic and link for guest information below the slider make it easy to find. • The homepage also includes a few recent sermon audio files, a list of upcoming events, and service times. Why it works: • This site uses a clean, but appealing, design. • The About page, the first link in the main navigation, includes all of the information for those who are new to the church. • Sermon media can be easily accessed from the homepage, and ministry information can be found through the main navigation.
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May 2018
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