Religious groups are non-profit organizations that subsist through the contributions of their members so it is understandable that they may not always have a sufficient budget set aside for building a website. Church website templates made it increasingly possible for religious groups and congregations to build their own websites. The barrier to entry is lower, allowing users to create sites for free. All they need to do is to sign up with a church website builder and start creating content for their members and potential audience.
As the best church website builder, Strikingly features an intuitive platform that enables organizations to build online spaces without the need to learn code or programming language. It has a collection of website templates that will suit the content requirements of various religious organizations.
Now that you have selected a free church website builder and a template to work with, here are a few tips on how to plan and build your content from your church website template.
1. Think about who visits your church website
There are two groups of people who will most likely visit your website: those who attend your church and those who are interested in attending or may attend in the future. You should aim to create content that will adequately provide information for these two groups. Learn more about what kind of information they would appreciate seeing on your website and work from there.
2. Prioritize the essential content
Don’t take your web visitors on a hunt for what they need to know about your church. A good church website should have the following information readily available.
Location
Potential church members will want to attend services near them. Strikingly church website templates already come with a section for adding your contact information and the location of your church. Add a map of the venue to make it easier for congregation members to find it.
Service schedule
Visitors will want to know about your service times so they know when to attend. Add a section to your church website template for service information. Some church websites show this information on the header or the site banner so visitors can easily find it. Make sure to show the location especially if your church meets in different areas.
About Your Church
An About Us section is always recommended for any website, including religious ones. Help people understand what your beliefs are and how your congregation started. A brief history of your organization will be a great addition to this section. Include information on your pastor, his or her short biography and whether or not you are part of a certain denomination. You can also create different sections for communicating the kind of lifestyle or beliefs your members should adopt.
3. Indicate upcoming events
Using the best church website builder, you can also add an event feature to your site and allow visitors to sign up for upcoming events and religious services. If you are accepting church volunteers, create a signup form to encourage people to participate. Make sure to update this content regularly to keep members and potential members posted on what’s happening with your church.
4. Add Sermons
Some church websites also publish their sermons on their website. You can add a blog section to your Strikingly site where weekly sermons and devotional can go. This is particularly helpful for members who are unable to attend the services in person, as well as those who may not be located in your area but are interested in the teachings of your church. You can either upload videos of the sermons, a transcript, an audio clip or all three.
