Most church websites include the basics—service times, information about kids’ ministry, pictures of ministries and groups, staff pages, and special events. However, not every website has the key tools and systems to take your ministry to the next level. If you want to make sure website visitors get all their questions answered, can easily connect with your church, and receive the correct follow-up, implement these five things every church website should have (but most don’t).
1. ChatBots
It’s important to include relevant information on your church’s website—like your location, a kids’ ministry overview, service times, and photos of your services and ministries. But some people will have questions that reach beyond the basic info you provide. In those situations, make sure access to personalized answers is not a barrier.
This is why a ChatBot on your church website can be so valuable. A ChatBot doesn’t have to be complicated—just effective enough to answer common questions or connect the user to a real person if the bot can’t help. More and more businesses and organizations have started including ChatBots on their websites, and since the church is God’s plan to bring hope to the world, the church should also lean into new technology to reach more people in the community.
- Central Church offers 24-hour chat options for those seeking prayer or who have questions about God.
- Kings Church offers a live chat option for prayer, support, and answers to questions.
As ChatBot technology gains popularity, your church website should provide a way for people to connect with you in this convenient manner.
2. Appointment Systems
When someone visits your website, is it easy for them to get questions answered? What if they have questions beyond what an FAQ page or ChatBot can address? This is why every church website should include an appointment scheduling tool. When you build this system, allow users to select the type of appointment they’d like to book.
New visitors to the church may want to schedule a tour of the building and kids’ ministry before they attend, so make it easy for them to set that up. Congregation members who need pastoral care beyond Sunday services might appreciate counseling or prayer sessions if it’s simple to schedule. Appointment systems can also be used for meeting room availability, staff meetings, and any other events or gatherings your church offers.
Motivation Church lets people choose an upcoming Sunday to plan a visit, as do Gateway Church and North Point Community Church. Notice how each form asks which day they’d like to visit. This is just one example of how your church can put an appointment system to good use.
3. Automated Follow-Up Campaigns
When it comes to website visitors, it’s crucial to turn every interaction into a meaningful connection. This is especially important if you have an appointment booking system—so you can make sure people get the details they need after booking.
Ensure that every website visitor gets the personal attention they deserve, whether that’s a follow-up email, registration confirmation, church newsletter, or pastoral care response. Without an automated system, giving personal attention will become time-intensive and unsustainable as your text and email lists grow.
Your church website should feature digital follow-up journeys that provide each person’s next steps—such as first-time visitors, regular attendees, event registrants, or anyone on your newsletter list. Automatically send the right updates at the right time, and include multiple communication channels (email, texting, etc.) to reach everyone effectively.
4. Search Engine Optimization
Every church website should be optimized for search engines, but most are not. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) involves technical updates and on-page improvements that increase the chances of your site appearing in relevant search results. To improve SEO, consider adding H tags, optimizing images, including sufficient word count, and creating relevant landing pages.
If your current website platform has limitations that prevent you from reaching more people, it might be time for an update. Look for SEO-friendly tools that help your site appear when people are searching for churches in your area. If people never find your site in a search, they may never know your church exists. Don’t stay the best-kept secret in town—make sure SEO is part of your plan.
5. Understandable Analytics
Finally, the only way to know if your website is effective is to have clear analytics. Tools like Google Analytics can help you discover how people find and use your site—what pages they visit, what information they seek, and how you can better guide them.
Some website platforms also include a built-in analytics tool. It’s vital to understand how users engage with your content so you can serve them better. If you don’t have strong analytics, consider adding or upgrading to a platform that provides comprehensive data.
Take Your Church Website to the Next Level
ChatBots, appointment scheduling systems, automated follow-up campaigns, SEO, and understandable analytics are five things every church website should have—but most don’t. Implement these features to enhance your visitor experience and reach more people than ever before.
Ready for a simpler way? At Churchly, we make it easy to build or rebuild a better church website in less than two weeks. Our platform comes with:
- A great appointment-setting program that streamlines scheduling for visitors and members.
- Full search engine optimization tools to ensure your church ranks higher in online searches.
- Built-in analytics for clear insight into how visitors engage with your site.
- Automated follow-up campaigns that keep your community connected and informed.
Don’t settle for a website that only covers the basics. Let us help you build a truly dynamic online presence that draws people in and fosters meaningful connections. Visit Churchly.com today to learn more.