What Makes a Church WebsiteActually Useful
Having a website isn't the same as having a website that works. Here's how to build one that truly serves your congregation.
The Brochure vs. The Tool
Most church websites fall into one of two categories: digital brochures or interactive tools.
A digital brochure is static. It has your address, a statement of beliefs, maybe some staff photos. It exists because "every church needs a website." It gets updated once a year when someone remembers to change the copyright date.
An interactive tool is different. It's a living extension of your ministry. Members check it weekly for events. Visitors use it to learn about you and take their first step. Staff update it easily because the system was built for them, not against them.
The key difference?
A brochure tells people what you are. A tool helps people connect with who you are. One is a business card; the other is a relationship builder.
Essential Features Every Church Website Needs
These aren't nice-to-haves—they're the foundation of a website that actually serves your community.
Current Events & Calendar
Events that automatically appear and disappear based on date. Members and visitors see what's happening this week, not last month.
Why it matters: Outdated events are the #1 sign of a neglected website. Automated calendars solve this completely.
Online Giving
Simple, secure giving that works on any device. Members can set up recurring donations and access their giving history.
Why it matters: Convenience increases generosity. Churches with easy online giving see 32% higher overall contributions.
Prayer Request Submission
A place for members and visitors to share prayer needs. Staff get notified, and the community can lift each other up.
Why it matters: Prayer boards create connection and show your church cares—even before someone visits.
Group & Ministry Discovery
Small groups, ministries, and volunteer opportunities that people can browse and join. Not buried in a PDF or Facebook group.
Why it matters: Community happens in small groups. Making them discoverable is how visitors become members.
Contact & Directions
Clear address, embedded map, parking information, and multiple ways to reach you. Accessible from every page.
Why it matters: If someone can't find you, everything else on your website doesn't matter.
The Nice-to-Haves That Make a Difference
Once you have the essentials, these features take your website from good to great.
Sermon Archives
Past sermons searchable by topic, speaker, or date. Helps visitors get a feel for teaching style.
Push Notifications
Instant updates for service changes, event reminders, or urgent announcements.
Custom Forms
Volunteer signups, new member info, event RSVPs—all in one place with automatic follow-up.
Social Media Integration
Live feeds from Instagram or Facebook showing recent activity and community life.
Mobile-First: Non-Negotiable in 2025
Here's a number that should change how you think about your website: over 70% of church website visits come from mobile devices.
That means if your website isn't designed for phones first, you're giving the majority of your visitors a frustrating experience. Pinching to zoom, horizontal scrolling, tiny buttons—these aren't minor inconveniences. They're barriers to connection.
Speed matters too—and mobile users are even less patient than desktop visitors. Google found that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load. On slower cellular connections, this becomes even more critical. A bloated website with large images and unnecessary scripts doesn't just frustrate visitors—it loses them entirely.
Mobile-first means:
- Buttons big enough to tap with a thumb
- Text readable without zooming
- Forms that work with phone keyboards
- Fast loading even on cellular data (under 3 seconds)
- Essential info visible without hunting through menus
are on mobile devices
Integration: When Your Website Works With You
The most powerful church websites aren't standalone islands. They're connected to the tools your staff already uses.
Think about it: When you create an event in your church management system, shouldn't it automatically appear on your website? When someone submits a prayer request, shouldn't it create a task for your pastoral team? When a new family signs up, shouldn't their information flow directly into your member database?
This isn't science fiction—it's what modern church platforms offer. The old model of managing a separate website, email system, member database, and event calendar is exhausting and error-prone. Integration eliminates double-entry and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
When your systems work together, your team spends less time on technology and more time on ministry. That's the whole point.
Ready to Build a Website That Actually Works?
The Great Commission gives you all the essential features—events, giving, groups, forms, and more—in one integrated platform. No plugins to manage, no developers to hire.
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