The Church Website Audit: 20 Checks That Reveal What Is Holding It Back

A website audit should begin with real tasks, not a design score. Ask someone unfamiliar with the church to find a Sunday service, plan a visit and get in touch using a phone. Watch where they hesitate. Then use the checks below to identify the cause.

Clarity and welcome: checks 1–5

1. The homepage says where the church is and who it serves. 2. Service times and location are visible without searching. 3. A newcomer can see what to expect. 4. The next action is obvious. 5. Images and language represent the real community rather than a generic ideal.

Mobile and access: checks 6–10

6. Text is readable on a phone. 7. Buttons are easy to tap. 8. Images do not bury essential information. 9. Links and forms work with a keyboard. 10. Colour contrast, headings and meaningful image descriptions support people using assistive technology.

Accuracy and trust: checks 11–15

11. The address and service times agree across the site and search listings. 12. Staff and contact details are current. 13. Events have dates and a clear action. 14. Privacy information is accessible where data is collected. 15. Broken links and old campaigns have been removed or redirected.

Follow-up and measurement: checks 16–20

16. Every form has an owner. 17. The sender receives a helpful confirmation. 18. A missed enquiry can be noticed. 19. The team can see which journeys people use. 20. Someone is responsible for reviewing and updating the site regularly.

Score each item as working, needs attention or missing. Fix incorrect service information and broken next steps first. Then address mobile friction, accessibility and content gaps. A redesign is only necessary when the underlying structure can no longer support the journey.

Repeat the three newcomer tasks after changes. The useful result of an audit is not a long list of faults. It is a short, owned improvement plan that makes it easier for a person to connect with the church.