Website Builders for Churches
by Kim Linton | Categories: Church Planting, Planting Guides | 9 Comments
When my husband and I decided to launch Ministrymaker in early 2001, I knew absolutely nothing about HTML, CSS, SEO, or building websites. Since then I’ve learned how important it is to have a professional online presence – not only for businesses, but especially for churches, ministries and non-profit organizations.
Eventually, a few pastors and friends asked me to build websites for their ministries. After spending an enormous amount of time trying to help them learn (in a few months) what had taken me years to figure out, I wondered if there was an easier way to build and maintain an inexpensive church or non-profit website without going through the pain of learning HTML.
I discovered “website builders” by chance one day while doing research for an article. Website builders come in different forms, but are basically template-based programs that allow users to build and maintain websites through an online control panel and/or program installed on their computer.
Website Tonight
While I’ve experimented with several different site builders over the years, one that consistently receives good reviews from our pastors and friends who use it is WebSite Tonight by GoDaddy. We use GoDaddy as our host for Ministrymaker Magazine and I’ve been very pleased with their service, price and products.
To get started with GoDaddy’s website builder, sign up for an account, register your domain name (if you don’t already have one), pick a template, upload your personal information and photos and then publish your new church or ministry site on the Internet. From start to finish it’s possible to have a live website up and running within a few hours.
How much does it cost?
The cost to build a website and have it hosted on GoDaddy starts at $4.99 per month – what many companies charge for web hosting alone. GoDaddy’s Economy Plan is more than adequate for most churches and non-profits. The plan includes a five page website, 1 GB storage, 150 GB bandwidth, and email accounts.
After you pick a template you can change colors, upload photos, and add information about your church or ministry. Once the site is finished, you can add your web address to business cards, stationary, mailers, brochures — and even news releases about special events your ministry may be having.
Click here for more information about GoDaddy’s WebSite Tonight, website hosting plans, or other ministry products.
About Kim Linton
Kim Linton began her writing career in 2001 as a contributor for Ministrymaker Magazine. Kim's work has since been published on a variety of websites including Woman's Day and Intel, and featured on several news sites including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Pastor Nozi
Thanx for the article Kim. I believe it will be of great help to us. I thank God for leading us to Ministrymaker’s website. You and Rev Gary are a really blessing to us. May the Lord keep you and bless you and your family. Hope to see you oneday in South Africa when our Church has grown. You are indeed our inspiration, Remain Blessed!!!!
Pastor P. Rama Murthy Naik
We are conveying your good wishes in the name of Jesus Christ. Greetings to you in His Sacred Name. Good greetings of to you. We are writing from our Banjara Tribal as the pastor’s team and our church believers. We are safe, and hope are you. We hope that god will grant you happiness, health and wealth through out your life.
Moran Mor Zakka Iwas
Building a Church needs your church to have a Creed. I suggest using what the Western Christians call the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which we, Eastern Christians call “Athanasian Creed” or “Syrian Creed” or “Nestorian Creed”.
MarkSpizer
great post as usual!
Jack Wellman
Absolutely a sterling article Kim on one of the best site builders I have ever seen. This could make a huge difference in today’s html-oriented world. Nicely done. I am going to try to test this out to see if it is possible to build one for a homeless resource center for those who drop thru the cracks of social services.