I’ve talked to lots of people through the years about websites. I spoken to many people who have never even thought of the idea of having a website for their church, let alone any specific ministry. However, statistics show that when someone who is new to town is looking for a church, they will 95% of the time turn to the internet.
That being said, your website says everything about your church to a potential visitor. You could have the best programs in the state, a 3500-member congregation, the top performing musical groups in existence, and the most dynamic staff available, but if your website looks bad, the perception of your church will be also. Think of it this way: the amount of effort you put toward your web presence is a direct reflection of your church to a potential visitor. I’ve heard people say, “Well, if this church was really concerned about seeking new people, it would at least have put some time into this website.”
We have to realize that there was certainly a time that churches and ministries didn’t need websites – but that time is long gone. No longer is having a website an option, it’s a requirement. If we plan to reach this generation for Christ in a culture that is so fast-paced that choosing a place of worship is as easy as a point and a click, a good website is crucial. I truly believe that the churches that realize this will be more effective at fulfilling the Great Commission.
For more info on how NOT to build a website, check out this great article from Collide magazine.
As always, if you’d like to talk more with me about website design for your church, hit me up.
