Must-Have Content for Your Church Website

What you'll learn

• The exact information a first-time visitor needs to decide to attend
• Why your "About" and "What to Expect" pages are your most important pages
• How to write clear, welcoming copy for a non-church audience
• Sermons and media — what to include and how to organize it
• Keeping content current so visitors trust what they read

Notes

• A content strategy is planning, developing and managing all kinds of content, not just words on a page.
• Start by defining one desired outcome for the site, then define your core audience, such as visitors versus members.
• Next list your top priority content and build a site map showing where it will live.
• Pick a design that supports your strategy, rather than designing first and fitting content in later.
• Put your church name, logo, phone number and address on every page, since many visitors don't enter through the homepage.
• Use real photos of your church and leadership so the website matches the experience of walking in.
• Use homepage sliders with short headlines that link to blog posts for announcements.
• Include a Start Here page, leadership page, contact page with map and form, a calendar that clears old events, and sermons.
• Have a giving page that lists every way to give, plus a give button in the header and a get directions map on the homepage.
• Avoid posting email addresses in plain text, unapproved prayer requests or missionary details, and unlicensed images or music.

Companion article

Notes and resources that go with this session