Steal our Church Website Homepage Strategy
Here’s a secret: your homepage is really an extension of your church’s welcome team—only, it’s made up of pixels instead of caffeine-fueled extroverts! It’s your first chance to tell someone what your church is all about and help them get involved.
The 3-Second Rule
Studies show visitors make snap judgments about your church within 3 seconds of landing on your website. During those precious moments, your homepage needs to clearly answer three key questions:
1. What does your church offer?
"We're a community where it's okay to not be perfect!"
Ever seen a mission statement like that? It's simple, honest, and tells visitors what to expect. Your homepage needs to make that same kind of clear first impression.
When someone lands on your church website, they're often looking for more than just a Sunday service. Maybe they're searching for answers during a tough time or looking for a place where their kids can grow.
Your homepage should tell this story quickly. Through photos, words, and overall feel, help visitors see that your church could be their next spiritual home.
But you should try to sum up what makes your church unique in one clear sentence. Place it front and center on your homepage. For example:
"Making faith practical for everyday life"
"Where young adults and families find community"
"A place to grow, serve, and belong"
“No perfect people allowed!”
Remember: You're not trying to be everything to everyone. You're trying to be exactly what God has called your church to be—and communicate that clearly to your visitors.
2. Where and when do you meet?
This is crucial because even the most interested visitor can't show up if they don't know:
Your physical address
Service times
Parking information
What entrance to use
If you offer online services
3. How can someone get involved?
This question needs a clear answer because taking that first step can feel scary. Visitors want to know:
How to join a small group
Ways to serve
Next steps in their faith journey
Who to contact with questions
What to expect on their first visit
The most popular call-to-action button is “Plan Your Visit.” And it might be getting clicks, but what happens next can make or break a first-time visit. Think of this page as a digital concierge—it should take care of all the details so your visitors can focus on what matters: experiencing your church.
Here's what your Plan Your Visit page needs:
A simple form to collect basic info (name, email, and planned visit date)
Step-by-step details about what to expect (from parking to kids' check-in)
A friendly face—maybe your welcome team leader or pastor in a short video
Clear next steps (like "We'll text you parking directions on Sunday morning")
Answers to common questions ("What should I wear?" "Where do my kids go?")
Make it easy. Each piece of information you collect helps your team give visitors a warmer welcome, but too many form fields might scare them away. Start with the basics, then let your welcome team fill in the gaps on Sunday.
Want to go the extra mile? Set up automated email or text confirmations that share helpful tips as their visit gets closer. It's like having a friend save them a seat!
Common Homepage Mistakes to Avoid
Missing Crucial Details
• Hard-to-find service times
• Hidden contact information
• Unclear next steps
Information Overload
• Too much text
• Cluttered design
• Competing calls to action
Making It Happen
Your homepage should work as hard as your welcome team to help visitors feel at home. Each element needs to support those crucial first three questions while creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Not sure where to start? Our Squad has helped thousands of churches create websites that turn visitors into family. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to make your site work better for your church!
Want to see how your homepage could work harder for your ministry? Let's talk about making your site more effective today!
