Making the website itself is relatively easy once you have all the pieces of the puzzle. It’s getting those pieces together that can be a bit difficult especially if you are just starting out.
The Quick Answer
The best option for a church website is to use WordPress and Siteground together with GeneratePress and SEOPress. Each of these tools provides you with what you need to get up and running quickly and smoothly. They also provide you with a sold tech foundation and less headache down the road.
If you are looking for a more church-like theme or template Astra has a couple of starter setups and so does Kadence WP.
The Reason #1 – Siteground is where you will host your website, it will also give you FREE unlimited emails with your account. Every church will need emails and this gives you that. Don’t cheap out here and go for Squarespace or Wix or Godaddy – You definitely can but you will pay more for emails and support is not nearly as good.
The Reason #2 – WordPress is the most used platform on the internet and is the best when it comes to SEO, functionality, design, support and features. GeneratePress is a great option with a nice design platform but keeps the site speed high. Do not under any circumstances use Elementor…ever.
The Reason #3 – SEOPress is the best SEO plugin for WordPress and has a number of extra tools that you will need, mainly it’s schema integration and redirection function.
Find People to Help You
Without question one of the hardest things to do in a church plant is delegating. Doing everything yourself just seems easier and quicker, but the main point of being in a community is to engage with other people and let their gifts shine through.
Finding someone on your team or in your group that can help you with building the website should be easy enough by just asking everyone. If you don’t have someone my recommendation would be to pay to get some help. Usually agencies will charge you the full amount and not let you be part of the process. I would recommend finding a freelancer or a small agency that will assist you where you need it and only charge you for what they do.
If you do have someone in your group that is techy and knows how to build WordPress sites that is a huge win and they can get you started. If it is going to be you we have a full guide to help you out.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE – please read or watch our guide on When Design and SEO Collide – No one cares if you have a pretty website that no one ever sees. You need to marry good design with good SEO and not sacrifice one for the other. SEO best practises will help you rank in Google for local searches – so people can find you and come to your church. If you don’t implement these you may have something that looks the way you want…but no one will ever find it.
Spritual Gifts are there for a reason. And even though build a website isn’t in 1 Cor 12 or 14 it is part of your job to call out people that can help build the church. Sometimes this is getting the word about your church out into the public.
