If you manage a church website, you know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed or “stuck” in maintenance mode. But keeping your website updated and fresh doesn’t have to be a drag on everything else you have going on. And following best practices doesn’t mean you have to have a graduate degree in Computer Science! So don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are six church website design best practices to make you look like a pro. Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Use the right content management system (CMS)
If you’re looking to create a website for your church or organization, a content management system (CMS) can make or break your entire experience! With the right CMS, you can easily manage your website’s content without needing skills in website design or development—no coding required!
Finding the best CMS is critical if you want a great-looking church website that is easy to update, maintain, and build. The right church website builder will enhance everyone’s experience with the website—for you, as the administrator, and for your website visitors as they interact with the site.
Keep your design simple and easy to navigate
Making your website’s design easy to navigate is essential for engaging visitors. Keeping website visitors interested leads to guests learning more about your church and how to take the next steps. Simple designs make a website easier to navigate, meaning you answer their questions without much effort. An intuitive design can help keep visitors on your website, exploring what’s available for them and their families or how to engage more fully.
When evaluating your website design, spend time deciding how best to present information and how a user should find it. Create a structure that matches the desired logic for visitors, as this will lead them through the essential parts of your website with ease and efficiency. By creating a design focused on usability, you can help ensure that visitors can quickly and easily access the information they are seeking. A simple design enhances a user’s overall experience and allows them to begin a relationship with your church—even before interacting with a real person.
Use high-quality images
High-quality photos and videos are essential in all forms of church communications. Images can influence opinions, evoke emotions, and create a lasting impression of your church (also known as your brand). Not only do the right photos help capture the attention of website visitors, but good visuals provide much-needed context to the story you are trying to tell about your church. Use real photos of real people in your church, its ministries, and your church’s community to help website guests get a genuine feel for what to expect if they choose to show up to an event or worship service.
Make sure your website is responsive
We’re nearly a quarter into the 21st century. At this point, it’s necessary to have a mobile-friendly website. Many visitors will access your website from their phones or tablet, so your church’s website should be optimized for mobile users. A responsive website ensures that mobile users can quickly and easily access your website’s features from any device, offering a consistent, reliable experience. From improved content browsing to faster page loading times, investing in a responsive design for your website has incredible benefits for you and your website visitors. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s time for a new website!
Use typography to create hierarchy and contrast
Typography is a potent tool that can make all the difference when communicating your message. Using different typefaces, like a font’s varying sizes and weights, can create hierarchy and contrast in your design, which will help guide a reader’s eye. Using larger, bolder fonts will grab people’s attention quickly, drawing them into reading more.
There are a variety of ways to use typography to convey meaning, including using your website’s built-in heading styles, so it’s essential to experiment and play around with various fonts—you may just discover something new!
Pay attention to the details
Have you ever noticed how small details can have a big impact? That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the little things. Even something as simple as using the correct spelling of words, using consistent grammatical styles, and removing outdated information can make a difference when trying to influence someone’s opinion. Asking for a second (or third) set of eyes to review communication can be one way to help minimize errors. Schedule regular reviews of content and pages of your website to ensure details are accurate. And when an important date is approaching (like Easter or Christmas), set aside time to update your site to reflect those seasonal changes accurately.
Applying these simple tips will help you create a website that is visually appealing and easy to navigate and use. Appealing, easy-to-use websites draw visitors in to learn more. But a website that is difficult to use or needs to be updated will likely drive potential guests away. So make the investment—use these tips as a starting point to take your church website to the next level! Do you have any other tips for designing an effective website? Please share them with us in our Facebook group!
