So you’re creating a church website, and you’re looking for church website design examples for inspiration and guidance. You’re also wondering which website platform is best to use for your church website.
But before we dive into examples of what church websites look like in the wild on a variety of website builders and hosting platforms, there is one thing to keep in mind when you’re evaluating a website: it’s not just about how the websites look. The functionality matters too.
Think of it like buying a car. You have a make / model in mind, and you’re probably looking to see them drive by on the road to see how they actually look. However, you also care about how they operate. Does it accelerate well? Does it have the hauling capabilities you need? How is the gas mileage?
Looking at a church website examples should be done in the same way. We collected the following church website examples not just to show you how they look on different platforms, but how they can function, so you can be sure you create a website that fits both the look and functionality you need!
Disclosure – I receive customer referral fees from companies mentioned on this website. All data & opinions are based on my professional judgement as a paying customer or consultant to a paying customer.
Best Church Website Examples
We’ve pulled these examples based on functionality, design, and usability. Again, when you’re looking to build a church website, remember that you’re not just thinking about making the site look good. You want to think about what your site actually needs to do, and find a platform that supports all of your needs.
Grace Hills NWA
Software: Self-Hosted WordPress
Hosting: Dreamhost (Dreamhost Review)
Like I mentioned in the intro, a website isn’t just about looks. It’s about functionality, too. There are a few key features that stood out about this church website example, specifically in terms of functionality.
First and foremost, the “You’re Invited” pop up that shows when you first visit the site is an excellent way to encourage people to plan their first visit. The countdown timer adds urgency, and when you click the call to action, you’re prompted to leave your name and email.
While some pop ups can feel annoying or intrusive, Grace Hills manages to make this one feel like an added benefit rather than a nuisance. Plus, if you don’t want to give your information, you can easily exit the pop up.
The second element we enjoyed was the tab at the bottom of the screen, which shows information, reviews, and updates.
This is a nifty way to keep users engaged and going deeper into learning about your church. Incorporating reviews/visitor feedback is also a solid marketing approach that builds credibility and keeps users on your site (vs. having them go look at Facebook, Yelp, etc).
It’s a unique feature we don’t see on many church website examples, but is a great way to showcase your congregation and build trust with first-time visitors.
Cumberland Community Church
Software: Self-Hosted WordPress
Hosting: GoDaddy Hosting (GoDaddy Review)
Cumberland Community Church also had some unique functionality on their website. Notice the blue button at the bottom of the header image. This pulls up the Spanish version of the site, which is an excellent feature when your serving different demographics.
Aside from the translation functionality, we especially liked how easy this church website is to use.
The navigation is straightforward and clear, which makes moving around the site a cinch. Cumberland includes a lot of content on the site, but it isn’t overwhelming because everything is well-organized and easy to find. If you’re looking for a solid example of a church website that has a clean design, added functionality to address different languages, and well-organized content, this is a great one to use for inspiration.
Terra Nova Church
Software: Self-Hosted WordPress
Hosting: Media Temple
Terra Nova’s website takes a completely different and unique approach than most church websites we’ve seen so far. Notice how their design is more graphic design-based than the traditional photos + copy of the other examples. We particularly liked Terra Nova’s color palette — it shows they put effort into making sure the design actually looks good and flows.
Another fun element was how they list out their locations both at the top of the homepage and in the triangles. These links lead to individual pages / sub sites for each location:
This is a great way to create “mini websites” for your individual locations without losing the overall cohesiveness of the church. If you’re a church with multiple locations, but want a seamless and “united” experience, Terra Nova is a great example of how to do it tastefully and creatively.
Planetshakers
Software: Self-Hosted WordPress
Hosting: Cloudflare
Planetshakers is another unique approach for a church website. It’s a great example for larger / mega churches who have several different offerings for their website visitors (AKA music, church information, and conference information). We liked how Planetshakers used their homepage to divide into three main navigation elements. It’s simple to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Another helpful example to use for inspiration is their their “online” location page, where you could take part in services by watching / listening online.
Their online functionality includes watching live, watching replays, submitting prayer requests, and even donating online. It’s interactive, well-organized, and a very useful way to help visitors feel like part of the congregation even if they can’t be there physically.
If you need to stream your sermons or offer replays, this interactive page is a solid example to use for inspiration!
Northwest Christian Church
Software: Squarespace
Hosting: Bluehost (Bluehost Review)
Northwest Christian Church is an example of a straightforward, easy-to-navigate church website. Notice how their primary call to action (Plan a Visit) is right in the center of the homepage. It stands out and prioritizes the main action they’d like website visitors to take.
The “New?” page is also a great example of how you easily guide visitors through information and help them choose their next best step. The breakdown of content (What to Expect and What Are Services Like?) and the ability to dive deeper into sermons, kids ministry, and student ministry allows visitors to get a quick picture of what the church is like, then read on about their particular needs.
If you’re looking for a clean, straightforward design for your church website, this is a great example to use for guidance.
Lighthouse Church of Antioch
Software: Weebly Website Builder
Hosting: Weebly (Weebly Review)
What stood out to us about Lighthouse Church of Antioch’s website was the interactive header. They used a lighthouse in a storm to help get their message across to visitors. It’s a unique way to add some design flair to a Weebly template without having to go all-in on a completely custom build.
We also liked the breakdown in the navigation. The categories are super clear and make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. We especially liked the inclusion of Beliefs. Since many website visitors are probably looking for information on your church before they visit, it can be helpful to include what your church believes so your audience can determine if it’s a right fit.
Next Steps
Now that you have some inspiration in terms of the design, colors, and functionality you may want in your church website, where do you go from here?
Well, it really depends on where you are in your event website building journey!
If you’re ready to decide on a website builder, check out my guide to choosing a website builder here.
If you are using self-hosted WordPress, check out my Best WordPress Themes for Churches and Ministries post here.
Lastly, if you’re wondering how to market your church website (because yes, churches need marketing too!), check out my guide to creating a local marketing strategy.
