How to Use the “Front Door or Bulletin Board” Checklist to Improve Your Church Website
If you’ve ever wondered whether your church website is actually helping guests take a next step, you’re not alone.
Most church websites aren’t broken.
They’re just cluttered and misunderstood.
They were built to inform, when guests actually need to be invited.
That’s why we created the “Is Your Church Website a Front Door or a Bulletin Board?” checklist. This tool isn’t about design trends or expensive rebuilds. It’s about clarity, trust, and human connection.
Below, we’ll walk through how to use the checklist, what to look for in each section, and how to turn insight into action.
Watch or listen to the Podcast on this topic: Why Most Church Websites are Failing Newcomers (And How to Fix It) With Kenny Jahng
What the Checklist Is (and Isn’t)
This checklist is:
- A guest-first assessment
- Designed for pastors, church leaders, and tech teams
- Meant to spark conversation, not criticism
- Focused on small, practical improvements
It is not:
- A technical SEO audit
- A website redesign plan
- A scorecard meant to shame your team
The goal is simple:
Does your website behave like a front door, or does it act like a bulletin board?
How to Use the Checklist (Before You Start)
Before you check a single box, do this:
- Open your website in an incognito/private browser
- Pretend you’ve never attended your church
- Ask one question as you click:
“Would I feel safe taking a next step here?”
Mark the outlined boxes honestly. An unchecked box isn’t failure. It’s information.
Section 1: First Impression (The 5-Second Test)
This section measures clarity and emotional tone.
Ask:
- Can a guest tell who this church is for?
- Does the site feel human or institutional?
- Is the language written for insiders or newcomers?
If a guest can’t orient themselves quickly, they won’t explore deeper. First impressions online happen faster than in the parking lot.
Tip: If you hesitate before checking a box, leave it empty. That hesitation matters.
Section 2: Guest Clarity & Navigation
This section evaluates friction.
Guests should not have to hunt for:
- Service times
- Location
- What to expect
- Kids information
If your navigation makes sense to members but not guests, the site defaults to a bulletin board.
Tip: Ask a non-church friend to find basic info on your site and narrate their experience.
Section 3: Connection Before Sunday
This is where many church websites fall short.
Ask:
- Can a guest engage without attending?
- Is there a low-pressure way to ask a question or request prayer?
- Does the site invite conversation or only attendance?
Healthy front doors don’t force people inside. They invite them to pause, ask, and explore.
Tip: If your only call-to-action is “Plan a Visit,” you’re likely missing this layer.
Section 4: Content That Serves Real Life
This section looks at value before commitment.
Guests are often spiritually curious but cautious. Helpful content builds trust long before belief or attendance.
Ask:
- Does the site address real life questions?
- Is the language accessible?
- Are resources helpful even if someone never visits?
A front door offers help. A bulletin board offers announcements.
Section 5: Mobile Experience
Most guests will experience your church on a phone first.
Check:
- Readability without zooming
- Easy taps and buttons
- Fast page loading
If your site only feels “finished” on desktop, guests will feel like second-class citizens.
Tip: Complete the checklist once on desktop and once on mobile. You’ll get different answers.
Section 6: Trust, Follow-Up & Next Steps
This final section evaluates relational safety.
Ask:
- Is there a clear reason to share an email?
- Does follow-up feel human?
- Are next steps simple and non-threatening?
Guests don’t fear information. They fear pressure.
A front door communicates respect.
How to Interpret Your Results
Don’t count boxes to get a grade.
Instead, ask:
- Where did we leave the most boxes empty?
- Which 1–2 areas would help guests most if improved?
- What change could we realistically make this month?
Momentum matters more than perfection.
How Teams Should Use This Together
This checklist works best when used:
- In a staff meeting
- With elders or board members
- With communications and tech volunteers
Have each person complete it independently, then compare notes. Differences in perception often reveal the most important insights.