Why Updating Your Church Website Should Be a Monthly (At Minimum!) Habit

by Ashley Graham-Wilcox

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night wondering if that new Bible Study series ever got added to the website? Hopefully that’s just me. But with so many tasks on our church communication plates, it can be easy for the website to sink to the back of our minds.

If your church website only gets a refresh when it’s stewardship season, it’s time to build a habit of regular updates. Because a well-maintained website isn’t just a reflection of your tech skills—it’s a reflection of your church’s care for its community.

Here’s why—and how—to make website updates a normal part of your monthly routine.

1. Keep Your Congregation Informed and Engaged

Your website is a primary communication tool. When members (or potential visitors) check for service times, upcoming events, or small group sign-ups, they expect accurate and up-to-date information. An outdated website sends the message that your church might not be very active—or that details aren’t important.

According to HubSpot, 77% of consumers believe a poor website experience impacts their overall perception of an organization. Churches are no exception. When you update your website regularly, you’re not just keeping information accurate—you’re demonstrating that your church is intentional about connection.

2. Attract New Visitors

A well-maintained website reflects an active and welcoming community. If your website feels stuck in the past, it might be keeping potential visitors from stepping through your doors.

3. Improve Search Engine Rankings

Google and other search engines prioritize websites that are frequently updated with fresh content. That means every time you add a new blog post, update an event page, or refresh your homepage, you’re giving your site a little SEO boost. If your church wants to be easily discoverable, updating your website monthly isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity.

4. Ensure Security and Functionality

This part is less flashy, but absolutely essential. Outdated plugins, themes, and software are a hacker’s dream. Even if your website isn’t handling financial transactions, security vulnerabilities can lead to crashes, data breaches, or malicious redirects. Routine website maintenance—including updating plugins, software, and fixing outdates or broken links—is critical for protecting your organization’s online presence. A monthly check-up can help prevent those dreaded "website not found" errors and keep your site running smoothly.

5. Enhance User Experience

Think about how people interact with your church’s website. Is your “New Here” page easy to find? Are online giving options clear? Are there outdated sermon series that need to be archived? Regular check-ins ensure that your site remains a useful and inviting tool for your community.A well-maintained site isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about usability. Forbes reports that even small website updates can have a major impact on how an organization is perceived and engaged with online (source).

6. Build Trust and Credibility

When someone visits your website, they’re looking for signs that your church is a healthy, thriving community. If your site hasn’t been updated in months, it can raise questions: Is this church still active? Do they value clear communication? Can I trust the information here? Keeping your website fresh and relevant builds credibility. It signals to both visitors and members that your church is organized, intentional, and committed to fostering connection.

Making It Happen

Adding website updates to your routine doesn’t have to be a big, overwhelming task. Here are some practical ways to make it stick: Block out time on your calendar—maybe the first Monday of each month—to review and update your website. Each month, review key areas:

• Update event calendars

• Check for broken links or outdated information

• Post recent sermons or blog updates

• Refresh homepage images or announcements

• Test contact forms and giving platforms

So, mark your calendar, make a plan, and start treating your website like the living, breathing tool it is. Your church (and your visitors) will thank you.