Your Church Website Has Nothing to Do with You (and That’s a Good Thing)

Imagine this: A new family in your town is looking for a church. They pull up Google, type “churches near me,” and start clicking through websites. What they see in those first few seconds will either invite them in or push them away. And here's the truth that might sting a little—your website has nothing to do with you. It’s all about them.

Most church websites are designed around what we think is important: a picture of the building, a history lesson, maybe even a long bio about the pastor.

But here’s the thing: nobody cares.

I know, it’s harsh. But stay with me. People visiting your website aren’t coming to learn about the church’s history or how you got started 50 years ago. They’re visiting to solve a problem. And if your website doesn’t immediately show them how you can help, they’ll leave in search of a church that does.

Shift Your Focus: It's All About Them

Your website isn’t a monument to your church. It’s not a shrine to your programs or a showcase for your mission statement. It’s a tool to reach people. The people landing on your website are asking themselves one question: "What’s in this for me?"

They want to know:

1. Will this church help my family grow spiritually?
2. Are my kids going to enjoy being here?
3. Will I feel welcomed, even if I’ve never been to church before?
4. Is this a place where I can find community and belong?

If your website doesn’t answer these questions within the first few moments, you’ve already lost them.

Clarity is Kindness

Most church websites are so packed with information that they overwhelm visitors.

You know the type: endless paragraphs about every ministry, every event, every leadership team member. But when you overwhelm people with too much info, they’ll shut down and leave.

What you need to do is simplify. Make it abundantly clear who your church is for and how you can help people experience God in their lives. The clearer your message, the more likely people will stick around.

Clarity is kindness.

When your website clearly shows what’s in it for the visitor, you’re being kind to them by answering the questions they’re already asking.

I love what Donald Miller says, “If you confuse, you’ll lose”.

Here’s a rule of thumb: When you design or write content for your website, ask yourself, “Would someone new to faith or unfamiliar with church culture understand this?” If the answer is no, rewrite it.

Your Website is a Bridge

Your website is not about impressing other pastors or church leaders. It’s a bridge between people in your community and the gospel. That means it has to be accessible, welcoming, and focused on the visitor's journey.

Think of it this way: People visiting your site are looking for a guide, not a hero. They don’t need to hear about how amazing your church is—they need to see how you can help them experience life change through Christ.

So here’s a simple formula:

1. Position your church as a guide who helps people on their spiritual journey.
2. Show them how you can solve their problems—whether that’s finding community, raising their kids in faith, or understanding the Bible.
3. Invite them to take action.
4. Don’t overwhelm them with too many choices.
5. Give them one simple next step, like visiting on Sunday, signing up for a small group, or reaching out for more information.

It’s Not About You—It’s About Mission

At the end of the day, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making your church website all about your church. But that’s not what it’s for. Your website exists to fulfill the mission God has given you—to bring more people into a life-transforming relationship with Christ. And to do that, it must be focused on the people you’re called to reach.

This shift in thinking changes everything. It’s no longer about your preferences, your favorite sermon series, or how beautiful your building is. It’s about making it as easy as possible for people to find Jesus through your church.

Action Steps:

Audit Your Website

Want to know if your website is doing its job?

Here’s a quick challenge:

1. Put yourself in the shoes of someone visiting your site for the first time.
2. Can they immediately see how your church can help them and their family?
3. Is the message clear, simple, and focused on their needs?
4. Are there easy, obvious next steps they can take to get connected?

If not, it’s time to refocus.

Simplify your message.

Make it clear who your church is for and how you can guide them to experience God in a real way.

Final Thought: Your Website is a Ministry Tool

Remember, your website is one of the greatest outreach tools you have in today’s digital world. But it’s not about you. It’s about the people God is calling you to reach. So make it simple. Make it clear. And most importantly, make it about them.

Can your church reach more neighbors?

Take the Free Digital Outreach Assessment to see how community-friendly your online presence is.