A church website is a powerful communication tool, but unfortunately many websites contain mistakes that put visitors off or confuse them. A poorly functioning website can even create a barrier for new people interested in your congregation. In this article, we discuss the most common mistakes on church websites and how to fix them easily.
1. Outdated or Incomplete Information
Nothing is more frustrating for visitors than a church website with incorrect information. Think of services listed at the wrong times, contact details that no longer work, or half-finished pages. This creates an unprofessional impression and can cause visitors to leave.
Solution: Establish a routine for updating your website regularly. For example, update your calendar monthly and check your page content at least once a quarter.
2. Poor Navigation and Overcrowded Menus
An overly complicated menu or a website with too many pages makes it difficult for visitors to find what they need quickly. This leads to frustration and can cause potential visitors to leave.
Solution: Keep the menu clear with no more than six main categories. Use clear, logical page names, such as 'About Us', 'Services', 'Calendar' and 'Contact'.
3. Website Not Optimised for Mobile
More than 60% of internet users view websites on their smartphones. If your website does not work well on mobile devices, you lose a large proportion of your potential visitors.
Solution: Make your website responsive, so it automatically adapts to different screen sizes. Basic Media develops mobile-friendly church websites that work well on every device.
4. No Clear Contact Information
One of the main reasons people visit a church website is to find contact details. If these are difficult to find or incorrect, potential visitors may leave.
Solution: Put your contact details (phone number, email and address) on a separate page and also include them in the footer at the bottom of every page.
5. Lack of Visual Appeal
A website consisting only of long blocks of text without images or visual appeal looks dull and discourages visitors from reading further.
Solution: Use high-quality photos and videos of your congregation and activities. This makes the website more personal and inviting.
6. Poor Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
If your website is not easy to find in Google, you miss a large audience. Many church websites make the mistake of neglecting search engine optimisation.
Solution: Use relevant keywords in your text, optimise images and ensure fast loading times. Basic Media can develop an SEO-friendly website for you.
8. No Clear Call to Action
What do you want visitors to do when they arrive at your website? Without a clear call to action (CTA), they leave the site without interacting.
Solution: Add clear CTAs, such as 'Visit us on Sunday', 'Sign up for the newsletter' or 'Contact us'.
9. No Clear Purpose for the Website
Many church websites lack a clear purpose. Is the website intended for members of your own congregation to find practical information, such as service schedules and activities? Or do you want it to serve an outreach function and invite outsiders to explore the faith? Some churches see their website purely as a way to meet the ANBI requirement, while others turn it into a dynamic platform actively used for communication and community-building.
Solution: Define a clear strategy for your website. Do you want new visitors to feel welcome and find information about the Christian faith? Then your website needs a different structure from one primarily intended as an internal communication tool. A well-structured website with a clear purpose prevents confusion and makes your online presence more effective.
10. No Regular Updates or News
A website that has not been updated for months, or sometimes years, looks abandoned and unreliable.
Solution: Regularly publish news, testimonies or blog posts. Basic Media offers a simple CMS that lets you easily post updates without technical knowledge.
Let Basic Media Optimise Your Church Website
Want to make sure your church website works optimally and attracts visitors? Basic Media helps churches with professional, user-friendly and easy-to-find websites. Contact us today or view our projects to discover how we can improve your website!