Church marketing can feel like an awkward phrase. Churches aren't selling anything, and many leaders are wary of treating faith like a product. But every church already communicates: through its building, its noticeboard, its website and the welcome people receive at the door. Marketing, done well, is simply making sure people who are looking can find you and feel welcome when they arrive.
Most of those people look online first. They check service times, what to expect, where to park and whether there is something for their children. Here are nine ideas that help, roughly in the order we would tackle them. We design and run websites for churches, nonprofits and community organisations, so where we mention how we do something, those are our own terms. For examples, see our roundup of the best church websites.
Why the right approach matters for a church
A first visit to a church can be daunting. People worry about what to wear, where to sit, whether they will be singled out and what happens with their children. A church that answers those questions online, warmly and plainly, removes the biggest barriers before anyone walks through the door.
Make the first visit easy
1. Service times on the first screen
The most common reason people visit a church website is to find out when and where services happen. Put service times, the address and a map link on the first screen of the homepage, not on a separate page.
Do this: open your homepage on a phone and check that service times are visible without scrolling.
2. A "plan your visit" page
Answer every question a newcomer might have: what a service is like, how long it lasts, what people wear, where to park, which entrance to use, what happens for children and whether there is coffee afterwards. Add photos of the entrance and the people who will greet them.
Do this: ask someone who has never visited to read the page and tell you what they still want to know.
3. Real photos of your church and people
Stock photos of smiling strangers tell visitors nothing. Real photos of your building, your services, your volunteers and your events, with permission, show newcomers what they will find.
Do this: ask a member with a good camera to photograph a typical Sunday, with permission from those pictured.
Get found by people nearby
4. A complete Google Business Profile
Many people search for churches near them. Google's guidance on local ranking says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and popularity, and that you can't pay for a better local ranking. Accurate service times, photos and an up-to-date description help.
Do this: check your profile's hours, address, website link and photos, and update them for special services such as Christmas and Easter.
5. Pages for ministries and groups
Families look for children's and youth groups. Others look for small groups, music, support groups or community projects. Give each ministry its own page with who it is for, when it meets and who to contact.
Do this: list every regular group and check each has a page with up-to-date times and a contact.
Share your story
6. Stories from your community
Short stories about how your church serves its neighbourhood, what it means to members and how people found their place there are more persuasive than any statement of values. Share them on your website, in emails and on social media, with permission.
Do this: interview one member or volunteer a month and publish a short story.
7. Sermons and talks people can find
Recordings or written summaries of sermons let people get a feel for your church before visiting. Give each one a clear title and a short description so people searching for a topic can find it. Google's guidance on helpful, people-first content favours content made to benefit people.
Do this: add a two-sentence summary to every sermon page, saying what the talk covers.
Stay in touch
8. A warm follow-up for visitors
Newcomers who leave without connecting often don't come back. A simple welcome card or a short form for visitors who want to hear more, followed by a friendly email, makes a big difference.
Do this: write a short welcome email for first-time visitors who share their details, and send it within a few days.
9. Regular, useful updates
A weekly or monthly email with upcoming events, ways to get involved and a short reflection keeps people connected between visits. Keep it short and focused.
Do this: agree a regular schedule for your email and keep each one to a few short sections.
Plan for the big seasons
Christmas, Easter and the start of the school year are when many people think about visiting a church, sometimes for the first time in years. They search for service times and what to expect, often only a few days before.
Update your website, Google Business Profile and social media well ahead of each season with special service times, children's activities and a short welcome for people who haven't been before. Make sure the plan-your-visit page is current. After the season, follow up gently with anyone who left their details, and invite them to something low-key, such as a coffee morning or a community event.
Measure what matters
Count first-time visitors, how they heard about you and how many come back. Ask newcomers whether they looked at the website first and what helped. Track which pages people visit most, usually service times, plan your visit and children's groups, and keep those especially up to date.
It also helps to ask people who visited once but didn't return. Their answers, gently gathered, often show which part of the welcome needs attention.
Where to start if you have one season
If you only have time for a few things before your next big season, put service times on the homepage, write a plan-your-visit page, add real photos and update your Google Business Profile. Those changes help every person who looks you up before Christmas, Easter or the start of the school year.
Red flags in church marketing
Out-of-date information
Old service times or past events on the homepage suggest nobody is looking after the site.
Insider language
Terms members use every day can confuse newcomers. Explain them or use plain words.
Hard-to-find children's information
Parents won't visit if they can't find out what happens with their children.
No way to get in touch
A clear contact name, email and phone number make it easy for someone with a question to ask it.
Questions to ask before hiring help
Have you worked with churches before? How will service times, events and sermons be updated? Can volunteers make simple changes, or will you make them? How will we keep the site up to date for special services? Who owns the website and content?
The short version
Put service times on the first screen, answer every newcomer question on a plan-your-visit page and use real photos. Get found locally, give each ministry its own page, share stories and sermons, and follow up warmly with visitors. Keep everything up to date. Our page on church website design shows how we build these sites.
FAQ
How can a church attract new visitors?
By making service times easy to find, answering newcomers' questions on a plan-your-visit page, using real photos, keeping a complete Google Business Profile and following up warmly with visitors.
What should a church website include?
Service times and location on the homepage, a plan-your-visit page, ministries and groups, sermons, stories from the community, events and a clear way to get in touch.
Is it right for a church to do marketing?
Many churches see it as hospitality: helping people who are looking find accurate information and feel welcome before they arrive.
Does a church need a Google Business Profile?
It helps. Many people search for churches nearby, and the profile shows your service times, location and photos in search and maps.
How should churches follow up with first-time visitors?
With a simple, warm message within a few days for visitors who choose to share their details, offering a way to connect without pressure.
How much does a church website cost?
It depends on what is included. Our Hosted for You plans, which include the design, hosting and every change you send, start from $197 a month billed yearly.
