What a Church or Nonprofit Website Needs on Day One

Church and nonprofit websites often grow by accumulation: a page for every ministry, a calendar no one updates, a welcome video from several years ago and a homepage crowded with announcements. Meanwhile, the person who matters most, someone visiting for the first time, cannot quickly find when to come or how to get help.

A good mission website starts with that visitor's questions. Here are the essentials to put in place first.

Start with the questions visitors actually ask

Before designing anything, list the questions people ask your office by phone and email. For a church, they might be: When are services? Where do I park? What about my kids? For a nonprofit: Who do you serve? How do I get help? How can I volunteer or give?

Your homepage and main navigation should answer the most common questions in one or two taps.

Homepage essentials

• Who you are in one sentence. A clear, warm statement of your mission and who you serve, without insider language.
• When and where. Service or program times, the address with a map link, and parking or transit notes.
• Clear next steps. Two to four prominent buttons, such as "Plan a visit," "Get help," "Volunteer" and "Give."
• A way to reach you. A contact form and the best way to call or visit, with expected response times.
• Current information only. If an announcement is past, remove it.

A "what to expect" page

First-time visitors often feel nervous. A short page answering practical questions builds confidence:

• How long services or programs last and what happens during them.
• What people typically wear.
• What is available for children and how check-in works.
• Accessibility details: ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, hearing assistance, large-print materials and seating.
• Where to go when you arrive, and who will greet you.

Giving made simple and trustworthy

If you accept online donations, make the giving page easy to find and quick to use. Offer one-time and recurring options, explain how donors receive receipts, and keep the process on a secure page. Describe briefly how gifts are used. Confirm with your accountant how receipts and acknowledgments should be worded for your situation.

Ways to get involved

List volunteer opportunities, small groups, classes or programs with simple descriptions and a clear way to sign up or ask questions. People are far more likely to take a step when they know exactly what the first step is.

Events that stay current

A calendar is only helpful if it is accurate. Assign one person to keep it updated weekly, and remove past events. If keeping a full calendar is not realistic, feature only the next few major events.

Content to approach with care

• Children's photos and names: get permission from parents or guardians, and avoid identifying details.
• Prayer requests and pastoral needs: never publish them without explicit consent, and keep request forms private by default.
• Staff and volunteer contact details: consider a contact form or role-based addresses rather than listing personal emails, which reduces spam and protects privacy.
• Member directories: keep them behind a login, not on public pages.

Accessibility is hospitality

A welcoming website works for everyone, including people who use screen readers, keyboards, captions or larger text. Use clear headings, describe images with alt text, caption sermon and program videos, choose readable text colors with good contrast, and make sure forms can be completed without a mouse. These steps also make the site easier for older members and anyone on a small phone screen.

Sermons, stories and media

Recorded sermons, testimonies and program stories help people get to know you before they visit. Keep media organized by date or series, add captions or transcripts, and get permission before sharing anyone's story. If your congregation is looking for a Bible study app, JustAllowGod offers free white-label Bible study apps for verified churches and nonprofits.

Keep it healthy after launch

Assign an owner, set a weekly check for events and announcements, and schedule deeper reviews. Our website launch checklist and website maintenance plan can guide you, and if you are still choosing a platform, read our comparison of website builders and WordPress.

Frequently asked questions

Should we post sermons or program videos online?

Many churches and nonprofits find that recorded content helps people feel connected and helps newcomers get to know them. Add captions, organize by series or topic, and make sure you have permission for any music or personal stories included.

Should we list staff email addresses on the website?

A contact form or role-based addresses, such as an office or connect address, often work better. They reduce spam, protect staff privacy and keep messages flowing when roles change.

How often should a church or nonprofit website be updated?

Check events and announcements weekly, review key pages monthly, and do a deeper content and accessibility review every quarter. Outdated information is one of the quickest ways to lose a visitor's trust.