The Ultimate Checklist for Building a Church Website That Actually Works

Hi, I’m Joni 👋 I help small churches (and busy pastors who definitely don’t want to moonlight as web designers) create websites that feel welcoming, easy to use, and actually help people connect with your church.

Here’s the deal: most church websites aren’t great. They’re outdated, clunky, or just plain hard to use. But your website is usually the first impression someone has of your church, before they ever step foot through the doors. So having a clear, simple, and inviting site matters more than you think.

If you’re ready to build or refresh your church website, here’s a practical checklist to make sure you have everything you need before hitting publish.

Basics You’ll Need

• Domain name (yourchurch.com) — Short, clear, easy to spell, and easy to remember.
• Website platform (I recommend Showit 🙌) — Drag and drop, no coding, and easy to update.
• Hosting + SSL certificate — Keeps your site secure and professional.
• Professional email address (info@yourchurch.com) — Looks way more trustworthy than a Gmail.

Branding Essentials

• Logo — A full version + a simplified one for small spots.
• Color palette — 3–5 main colors with neutrals so everything feels consistent.
• Font pairings — A headline font + a body font you’ll use everywhere.
• Style guide — Optional, but helpful for keeping your design clean and cohesive.

Photography & Media

• 50–100 real photos — Not stock! Show real people, real smiles, and real moments.
• Leadership headshots — Approachable and warm.
• Kids/youth photos — With permission, highlight what makes your church family-friendly.
• Worship photos — Capture energy and authenticity.
• Building photos — Inside and out, so visitors know what to expect.

Content & Copy

• Welcome/About section — Warm and simple; no essays required.
• Leadership bios — Keep them personal, not resumes.
• Ministries overview — A quick look at kids, youth, worship, etc.
• Service times — Front and center (seriously, don’t hide these).
• Beliefs/faith statement — Short, simple, easy to understand.
• Contact info — Address, phone, email, and a form.
• Events page — Keep it current; nothing looks worse than last Easter still up.

Extra Features

• Online giving — Make generosity simple and safe.
• Blog or news section — Keeps your site fresh and helps SEO.
• Social links — Use recognizable icons for Instagram/Facebook.
• Accessibility features — Alt text for images, easy-to-read fonts, and mobile-friendly layouts.

Before You Launch

• Check mobile view — Most people visit on their phone.
• Test every link — Nobody likes broken buttons.
• SEO basics — Titles, meta descriptions, and alt text.
• Proofread — Typos make you look sloppy.
• Page speed check — Optimize images so your site loads quickly.

Your church’s website doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Start with these essentials, and you’ll already be miles ahead of most small churches online.

👉 If you’d rather skip the stress of starting from scratch, I’ve built Showit templates made just for churches—plus a step-by-step course to walk you through launching with confidence. Check them out here.