Before Easter: Give Your Church Website a Check-Up
A couple of weeks ago, when we launched our Virtual Front Porch initiative, we were honestly blown away by the response. So many churches reached out expressing interest in being one of the 12 we’ll work closely with in that cohort. (You can learn more about that here.)
What we learned from this engagement is that ministry really care about digital ministry - you want practical tools and support! So, in the spirit of resourcing you in ways that are actually useful and not overwhelming, this post is simple… very, very simple.
As Easter approaches, we can expect that new, returning, or less-than-regular attenders will be checking out our church websites before they visit on April 5 (or in the weeks leading up to it).
You are already thinking about how to prepare your physical space.: planning special services elements, tidying hallways, making sure signage is clear…. all of the things you can think of to make your building feel welcoming.
Let’s make sure your digital space gets the same care and attention.
Here are five quick things to check on your church website before Easter.
1. Check Your Service Times (Everywhere)
It is common for a church to change service times and miss updating it in one small corner of the website. This can be very confusing for guests if there is conflicting info in various places on your website. So, first check:
Is your service time clearly stated?
If it easy to find within 10 seconds? (p.s. make sure it’s AT LEAST in the footer along with the church address)
Is service time consistent everywhere it appears (homepage, footer, contact page)?
Does it match what’s listed on Google and your social media pages?
Bonus: This is a great time to double-check your Google Business profile. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry — we’ll cover that in a future post.
2. Review Your Staff Page
This is one of the most visited pages on your website. People want to know who they’re going to meet before they ever walk through the door.
Is everyone currently serving listed?
Has anyone who left recently been removed?
Are the photos current (within the last 5 years)?
Do the bios still reflect reality?
If your headshot is more than five years old, it may be time to refresh it. If it’s more than ten years old… you likely already know the answer. You do not need a professional photoshoot to update this. Stand near a bright window. Face the light. Use a smartphone. Smile. Ask a colleague, spouse, or volunteer to take the photo. A clear, warm, recent image is far better than a grainy or dated one.
3. Remove Outdated Banners and Seasonal Content
Sometimes we stop seeing what’s been sitting at the top of our website for years, but visitors will notice it immediately.
Are there Christmas graphics still up?
Is there an old COVID banner from 2020?
Are there event promotions that have long since passed?
Does the homepage reflect this season?
Less is more in this area.
4. Double-Check Visitor Information
Put yourself in the shoes of someone attending for the first time. They are looking for clarity more than creativity.
Is parking information accurate?
Are children’s ministry details up to date?
Does your “What to Expect” section still reflect your actual service?
Are contact details correct?
This could also include photos of spaces or ministries that have changed over the years and could be an opportunity to snap some new photos.
5. Click Every Link (Yes, Really)
Broken links happen for lots of reasons (no judgement!) - but they cause frustration for people trying to navigate your site and find the info they need so make sure yours are all working properly.
Do your “Plan a Visit” buttons work?
Do forms still submit properly?
Do external links open correctly?
Does your livestream link go where it’s supposed to?
This takes five minutes and makes a significant difference.