In an age where online presence can mean so much for any organisation’s success, churches are no exception to the rule. While a physical presence in the community is still no less crucial, a website can help a local church reach infinitely more people and provide a positive influence in their lives. Moving with the times is very important for success in this area, so we look to some of the most impressive of examples of web design for churches in order to understand what makes them work.
Reading Family Church, Reading
http://www.readingfamilychurch.org.uk
This flat, minimalist design is a simple example of web design that works for everyone. Not only do the content and structure of the site guide new and returning visitors to the right information and resources, its responsive design elements mean it adapts to different sized screens, from small mobile phones to large desktop monitors. The prominent map also gives a very welcoming impression, inviting people to visit the church itself.
Heart Church, Nottingham
The attractive graphics and welcoming words that greet you on this homepage emphasise what a church website should be about. Immediately users are invited to view the church’s locations on a map, plan a visit and even listen to the latest sermons on Soundcloud. This website makes use of a continuous one-page layout, replacing clicking and waiting with a more user-friendly scrolling interface.
Hillsong Church, locations across the UK
This is another example that really channels the essence of great modern web design that delivers the right content in the right way. Locations of the different Hillsong churches in the UK are featured prominently, as are upcoming events and news. There is also a dedicated section for new users, directing them straight to the most popular areas. Again, a continuous scrolling design is used to great effect.
These are only three examples, but they all have a few elements in common that you may notice when browsing them for yourself. All three designs are also unique and tailored to the individual churches, yet they are not so complex that they would be beyond the reach of a small local church with little budget for a professional web designer. We would highly recommend looking into what’s available, and bear in mind that many web design specialists will offer discounts for good causes, which may be of great benefit.