Most small church websites fail in one of three ways: they are outdated (the last news post is from 2019), they are confusing (visitors cannot find basic information), or they are missing the information that visitors actually need. Any of these failures will cost you visitors.

The good news: a small church website does not need to be elaborate. It needs to be accurate, clear, and current. Here is what it must have and what you can safely skip.

The Non-Negotiables

Service Times and Location

This is the most important information on your website. A visitor who cannot quickly find when and where you meet will not visit. Put service times and your address on the homepage, visible without scrolling. Include a Google Maps link. Update this information immediately if it changes.

What to Expect

First-time visitors are anxious about the unknown. A brief “What to Expect” page reduces that anxiety significantly. Cover: what the service is like, how long it lasts, what to wear, what happens with children, and where to park. Write it in plain, welcoming language , not church jargon.

Who You Are

A brief “About” page that explains your theological commitments, your denominational affiliation (if any), and your church’s story. Keep it to 200-300 words. People want to know if you are the kind of church they are looking for , give them enough information to make that assessment.

Contact Information

A phone number, an email address, and a contact form. Make it easy for people to reach you. A church that is hard to contact communicates that it is not interested in being found.

Pastor’s Name and Photo

People want to know who the pastor is before they visit. A brief bio and a current photo humanize the church and reduce the anxiety of walking into an unfamiliar place.

Helpful But Not Essential

Sermon Audio or Video

If you record your sermons, post them. This is one of the most effective ways to reach people who are researching your church. A person who has listened to three of your sermons before visiting is far more likely to return than a person who walks in cold.

Events Calendar

A simple events calendar that is kept current. If you cannot keep it current, do not have one , an outdated calendar is worse than no calendar.

Online Giving

A link to your online giving platform. This serves both members and visitors who want to give before or after visiting.

Children’s Ministry Information

For families with children, information about your children’s ministry is often the deciding factor in whether they visit. Include: age groups served, what happens during the service, and safety policies.

What to Skip

• A church app , not worth the cost for most small churches
• A members-only portal , use email or a private Facebook group instead
• Elaborate graphics and animations , these slow down the site and distract from the information visitors need
• A blog , unless you will update it consistently, a blog with old posts hurts more than it helps
• Social media feeds embedded on the site , these often break and look unprofessional when they do

Keeping It Current

The most common website failure is not design , it is currency. An outdated website communicates that the church is not paying attention. Assign one person to own the website and give them the authority and tools to update it. Review the site quarterly for outdated information. Update service times, staff photos, and event information immediately when they change.