Be Welcoming. Get a Good Website.

We all know ministry isn’t about image or polish—it’s about people. But in 2025, if your church doesn’t have a clear, functional, and welcoming website, you're likely turning people away before they ever walk through your doors.

Today, your website is the front door. It’s not flashy or optional—it’s expected. 80% of people say they’ve visited a church website before ever stepping foot in the building (TheLeadPastor.com, 2023). That number is even higher for younger generations who rely heavily on mobile search and first impressions.

A lot of churches build or update their website thinking primarily about the people already in the pews—event calendars, bulletins, sermon archives. And those things are useful. But the truth is, over two-thirds of church website traffic comes from new visitors—not regular attenders (TheLeadPastor.com, 2023). Your members already know where the church is, what time services start, and who the pastor is. Visitors don’t. Your website exists primarily to serve them.

These days, when people are looking for a church, they almost always start online. That’s just how things work now. And more often than not, when someone visits your church, they’ve already spent time on your website—sometimes a lot of time. They’ve listened to a sermon, looked at your kids’ ministry, checked your service times, and decided whether it felt worth visiting. All before they ever shake a hand or sit in a pew.

So this isn’t about being trendy. It’s about being intentional and hospitable. If we put energy into greeting people with warmth on Sundays—signs, coffee, kids check-in, friendly faces—why wouldn’t we put the same thought into the place most people visit first?

Let’s be honest: if your website is clunky, outdated, or hard to use, many people will never take the next step. Here’s what I see regularly—both as a web designer and someone who’s visited a lot of church websites:

1. Outdated Design

Your website doesn’t need to be flashy, but it should look like someone cares. If it hasn’t changed in 5–7 years, it probably feels stale or neglected—even if your church isn’t. A clean, modern design communicates that your church is active and paying attention.

2. Trying to Get By on the Cheap

Plenty of churches have handed the project to someone in the congregation who “knows a little tech.” And while that can be a great starting point, a good website is worth investing in. A simple, well-designed site in the $1500–$3000 range can make a huge difference in how people perceive your church.

3. No Staff Info

People want to see who they’ll be hearing from and trusting with their kids. Show real faces. Add short bios. Help people feel like they’re meeting someone—not just browsing a building.

4. Basic Info is Hard to Find

The essentials should be obvious:

• Service times

• Address & directions

• Contact info

• What to expect

• Info on kids/youth

• A brief statement of beliefs

Don't bury these in hidden menus or multiple clicks. Make them easy to find—especially on a phone.

5. No Recent Sermons

Many people want to hear a sermon before deciding to visit. If you’re faithfully preaching the Word, let it be heard. Whether it’s video or audio, post a few recent messages right on the homepage or one click away.

6. Not Enough Info on Kids

This is a big one. For young families, knowing what to expect with children often determines whether they’ll come. What ages do you serve? Is it safe and secure? Are the workers background-checked? Clear, thoughtful answers go a long way in easing concerns.

7. Not Mobile-Friendly

More than 60% of all church website traffic now comes from mobile devices (TheLeadPastor.com, 2023). If your site looks broken or unreadable on a phone, you're losing most of your audience before they even begin. Every church site today should be mobile-first in its layout and design.

8. Mismatch Between Website and Reality

If your church is simple and traditional, don’t try to look like a creative agency. If you’re casual and modern, make sure your site reflects that too. The goal is authenticity. Your website should feel like a true preview of what it’s like to walk through your doors.

Final Thought

In the end, this isn’t really about websites. It’s about hospitality. A good website won’t preach the gospel for you—but it might help someone come hear it.