First Impressions Matter—Is Your Church Website Saying What You Want It To?

Over the years, I’ve walked into many churches where it’s clear they care about first impressions. There’s a bright, welcoming sign at the entrance. Clear parking directions. Friendly greeters at the doors ready to answer questions and point guests in the right direction. I love it when churches do this well—it really does matter.

Some even go the extra mile with a thoughtful welcome center, helpful brochures, or a gift bag (bonus points if there’s a Snickers inside). These kinds of details make visitors feel seen and cared for.

But here’s something a lot of churches don’t realize: that warm welcome in your lobby? It’s not the first impression. For most visitors, your website is.

Long before someone steps foot on your campus, they’ve likely spent time scrolling your homepage, clicking through service times, reading about your kids’ ministry, or checking out your statement of faith. Your website is your front door now—and it’s often the deciding factor in whether someone visits or not.

That’s why your site needs to be clear, up to date, and easy to navigate. If it looks dated, is hard to use on mobile, or lacks basic info, you may be unknowingly turning people away. Just like no one wants to walk into a lobby with peeling paint, dated carpen, and a stain on the ceiling tile, no one feels drawn in by a neglected website.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. There are designers who specialize in church websites—people who understand both ministry and design. They know what visitors are looking for, what information needs to be front and center, and how to make your site feel like a natural extension of your church’s heart and message.

So take a fresh look at your website. If it’s not giving off the kind of first impression you'd want for a new guest, maybe it’s time for an update.

Because first impressions matter. And today, they start online.