More than 90% of pastors use computers at church as well as technology as part of sermons.
Surprising though, not many actually have a church website. Since millions of people, church-goers and prospective church-goers alike, search the Internet each day, if you don’t already have a church website, now may be the time to get online.
1. Keep your congregation engaged
According to research, over 60% of church-goers say that a church’s website is important to their participation at church. A website allows them to explore serving opportunities at church, service times, upcoming events, and more. It also allows them to connect with their congregation and community and forward helpful information to others.
You might consider including information such as community bulletins, event calendars, volunteer sign-up forms, blog posts, podcasts, recorded sermons, and social media links on your church’s website. This will provide great opportunities for members of your congregation to stay well-informed and active in the happenings at your church.
2. Central information hub
A website is a great alternative to spending lots of money on printing and postage costs. Although you may still need some printed resources for those ‘offline’, the cost and time saving is real and also better for the environment. In addition to saving money and decreasing your paper trail, it will be easier to update calendar and program information on your website when things change. You can also allow for sign up for events and programs online, making it convenient for people and more organized and easy to track.
3. Introduce your team and programs
On your church’s website, you can create a page that includes bios of your pastors and co-pastors, youth pastors, and other staff. You can also include programming information so people will have access to detailed information about what types of services and programs you offer. Having such information available online will make prospective congregation members feel much more comfortable visiting your church in person, as they will already have a bit of information – like a primer of what to expect.
4. Welcome newcomers
You can use your church’s website as a space to extend an open invitation to prospective members and those who are seeking spiritual guidance. Consider designing a home page that is positive and extends open arms and portrays a message of community and hope. A lot of prospective worshipers may be timid or unsure about attending church simply because they haven’t been to one before and are afraid of being rejected or being perceived as an outcast. Use your website to welcome folks into your worship services and programs.
5. Provides links to social media pages
According to research, people are increasingly searching for online church options. Millions of people want to listen to sermons via podcast or through video, and millions more read blog posts. In addition, about a quarter of the world’s population has access and regularly uses social media. Your website can include the type of content that people are searching for already on your church’s website. You might try hosting a weekly podcast, recording some of your sermons, or regularly sharing blog posts.
6. Online donations
49% of all church giving transactions are completed with a card nowadays and 60% of church-goers are willing to donate their tithings digitally. With a church website, you can allow others to donate when it’s convenient for them online. You can do this with a secure SSL, making it safe for people to donate digitally on your website.
7. Churches can be promoted with location-based SEO
Many people don’t know how relatively easy it is to promote your church’s website online and across search engines through location-based SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Including location-based SEO on your website helps more people in your local community find your church online.
8. Show off your community involvement
Use your church’s website to display the reach and extent of your ministry and inspire others to get involved. Highlight programs your church leads or supports within your community, such as afterschool programs and programs that feed the homeless. It’s also a good idea to highlight other groups, non-profits, and community organizations your church partners with.
9. Bible studies, reading, and prayer groups
When more church members know when a Bible study is being held, they’re more likely to sign up for it and show up for it. Having a member area on your church website where members can access a directory may lead to more active prayer groups and more support from the overall congregation. Additionally, you can share handouts and information from different groups on your website, so that others can access it and become involved.
An online presence can result in more engagement from your groups as well as the ability to build an active platform where your community members can really get involved and support one another.