Improve Your Church Website in 2024 with Faithworks Marketing

Jono Long • August 27, 2024

A well-designed and optimized website is vital for any church looking to connect with its community online. Many members and potential visitors search for church information online, making your website the first impression they get of your ministry. In 2024, Faithworks Marketing helps churches improve their websites, ensuring they are user-friendly, visible on search engines, and integrated with effective marketing strategies.

An updated, easy-to-navigate website can help your church communicate its mission, events, and services clearly. When visitors find it easy to interact with your site, they are more likely to stay engaged and explore further. Beyond design, effective SEO strategies can make your church's website more discoverable, helping you reach a broader audience. Utilizing tools like Google Ad Grants can further increase traffic and engagement, ensuring that your message reaches those seeking spiritual connection.

Faithworks Marketing specializes in these areas, offering tailored solutions to enhance your church’s online presence. By focusing on user experience, search visibility, and integrated marketing campaigns, we help churches grow their online community and fulfill their mission.

Enhancing User Experience Through Improved Website Design

A well-designed website is essential for providing a positive user experience. When visitors come to your church website, they should find it easy to navigate and visually appealing. Faithworks Marketing focuses on improving user experience by updating the layout, design, and functionality of church websites.

First, consider the layout. A clean and organized layout helps visitors quickly find the information they need. This includes having a clear menu, easily accessible contact information, and concise service times. We prioritize intuitive design to make navigation seamless for users of all ages.

Visual appeal is another key aspect. High-quality images, consistent color schemes, and professional fonts create an inviting atmosphere. Include images of your church, congregation, and events to give visitors a sense of your community. This visual connection can make them feel more welcome before they even visit in person.

Functionality is crucial for a good user experience. Ensure that all links work correctly and that pages load quickly. Mobile responsiveness is also vital as many users access websites from their smartphones. By enhancing these elements, you make it easier for visitors to interact with your site and learn about your church.

Boosting Search Visibility with Effective SEO Strategies

Effective SEO strategies are essential for making your church website more visible in search engine results. When people search for churches or religious events, you want your site to appear at the top of the list. Faithworks Marketing helps churches improve their search rankings through targeted SEO practices.

Start with keyword research. Identify the terms that people use most frequently when searching for churches. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website’s content, titles, and meta descriptions. This makes it easier for search engines to understand what your site is about and to rank it higher for relevant searches.

On-page optimization is also important. Each page on your website should have a unique title tag and meta description containing relevant keywords. Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to structure your content for easier reading and better search engine comprehension.

Building backlinks is another effective strategy. Backlinks are links from other reputable websites to yours. They signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. Reach out to local organizations, religious groups, and community websites to build these links.

By implementing these SEO strategies, your church website can move up in search rankings, making it easier for people to find and connect with your community.

Increasing Traffic and Engagement with Google Ad Grant Campaigns

The Google Ad Grant program offers churches a valuable opportunity to increase traffic and engagement on their websites. This program provides eligible nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month in free advertising on Google’s search results. Faithworks Marketing helps churches make the most of this grant by creating targeted ad campaigns that drive visitors to their websites.

Effective keyword selection is the first step. Identify search terms that are relevant to your church and its missions, such as "community service," "worship services," or "youth programs." By targeting these keywords, we ensure that your ads appear to those specifically looking for what your church offers.

Ad copy is another crucial element. The text in your ads should be compelling and informative, encouraging users to click through to your website. Highlight key aspects of your church, such as special events, volunteer opportunities, or engaging sermons. Be clear and concise in your messaging to capture the interest of searchers quickly.

Monitoring and adjusting campaigns are essential for success. Regularly reviewing the performance of your ads allows us to refine keywords and ad copy for better results. We track metrics like click-through rates and conversions to understand what works best and continually optimize your campaigns.

Integrating Social Media to Foster Community Connection

Social media plays a vital role in creating a connected and engaged church community. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer unique ways to share your church’s message and build relationships. Faithworks Marketing helps churches integrate social media into their overall strategy to maximize engagement and connection.

Start by creating a content calendar. Planning out your posts ensures that you maintain a consistent online presence. Share a mix of content types, including photos, videos, event announcements, and inspirational messages. Consistent posting keeps your community informed and engaged with church activities.

Interactive posts are particularly effective on social media. Encourage your followers to participate by asking questions, creating polls, or hosting live Q&A sessions. This direct interaction builds a sense of community and makes your social media pages more dynamic and engaging.

Leverage social media analytics to understand which types of posts resonate most with your audience. Monitor metrics like likes, shares, and comments to gauge engagement. Use this data to refine your strategy and focus on content that drives the most interaction.

Conclusion

A strong online presence is key to connecting with your church community in 2024. By enhancing user experience, boosting search visibility with effective SEO, increasing traffic through Google Ad Grant campaigns, and integrating social media, Faithworks Marketing ensures that your church's website becomes a powerful tool for outreach and engagement.

Investing in these strategies enables your church to effectively share its message, engage with both current members and potential visitors, and fulfill its mission more broadly. For personalized support in improving your church’s website and online presence, partner with Faithworks Marketing. We specialize in creating impactful websites, leveraging SEO, managing Google Ad Grant campaigns, and integrating social media strategies to help your church thrive online. Contact us today for advertising for churches!

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AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

By Jono Long • August 21, 2025

For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry. In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long , founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision. Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt. Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing , an agency serving churches across the country. Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative , which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production. Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church. Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality. Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones. Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job. Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant , which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising . Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.” Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include: Create content-rich pages : Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions. Leverage sermons : Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO. Target felt needs : Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online. By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning. SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever . “Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community. Lessons from the Trenches of Business Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes. For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error. Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan. Creative Side Hustles for Pastors Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize. Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits. Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures. From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it. The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially. The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time. 🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com 🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/