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SEO Tricks to Bring More People to Your Church

Jono Long • December 1, 2024

Churches, like any other organization, need to be visible online to reach more people. Using search engine optimization (SEO) helps your church appear higher in search results when people look for a place of worship or community activities online. It's key to getting noticed and connecting with those who need your message.

You don't need to be a tech expert to use SEO for your church. Simple tricks can make a big difference in how your church appears online. From optimizing your Google My Business listing to choosing the right keywords, every step helps more people find you. These small changes can bring more visitors to your website and, eventually, to your church.

By focusing on SEO, you can reach a broader audience and make it easier for prospective members to discover all that your church has to offer. Let's explore some practical SEO tips to help your church stand out and attract new members.

Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Optimizing your Google My Business listing is a great way to help people find your church online. Start by claiming and verifying your listing if you haven't already done so. This makes sure your church appears in local searches and on Google Maps. Always keep your information updated. Include your church's name, address, phone number, and website. Make sure this information is accurate and consistent with what's on your website.

Add high-quality photos of your church. Include pictures of the building, events, and your congregation. This gives potential visitors a good first impression. Encourage your members to leave positive reviews. Good reviews boost your church's credibility and make it more appealing.

Write a clear and engaging description of your church. Include important details like service times, special programs, and what visitors can expect. This helps people know what to expect before they visit. Using keywords related to your church, like "worship service" or "community gathering," can improve your listing's visibility.

Use Relevant Keywords in Your Content

Keywords are words and phrases people use to search online. Using the right keywords in your content helps search engines understand what your website is about. Start by researching keywords related to your church. Think about what people might type into Google when looking for a church. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help find popular search terms.

Include these keywords naturally in your content. Use them in your website's titles, headings, and throughout the text. This helps search engines match your website to what people are searching for. Avoid keyword stuffing, which means using too many keywords in an unnatural way. This can hurt your site's ranking.

Create content based on these keywords. Write blog posts, service summaries, and event descriptions that answer common questions or provide valuable information. For example, a blog post titled "What to Expect at Our Sunday Service" might use keywords like "Sunday service" and "community worship." This makes your content more likely to appear in search results.

By focusing on your Google My Business listing and using relevant keywords in your content, you can improve your church's online presence. These simple steps help more people find your church and learn about what you offer.

Create High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to your church's website. They are like votes of confidence that tell search engines your site is trustworthy and relevant. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your site can rank in search results. Begin by reaching out to local community websites, blogs, and news outlets. Ask if they can link to your website when they mention your church or its events.

Another way to build backlinks is by creating shareable content. Write blog posts or articles that provide valuable information, such as tips for community engagement or inspiring stories from church members. When people find your content useful, they are more likely to link to it from their own sites.

You can also collaborate with other local organizations. Partner with nearby businesses, schools, or non-profits on community projects and events. This often results in mutual backlinks as each organization shares information about the collaboration on their websites. Quality over quantity is important; focus on obtaining links from reputable and relevant sources.

Leverage Local SEO Strategies

Local SEO helps your church show up in search results for people in your area. Start by including your city or neighborhood in your website's content, titles, and meta descriptions. This tells search engines you are relevant to local searches. Add your church's address, phone number, and service times on every page of your site, preferably in the footer. This makes it easy for visitors to find basic information.

Create and maintain local directory listings. Ensure your church is listed on sites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local faith-based directories. Consistent information across these listings can improve your search engine rankings. Also, positive reviews should be encouraged on these platforms. Good reviews can boost your church's visibility and reputation.

Engage with the local community online. Share news and updates on social media, and use local hashtags to connect with people nearby. Hosting local events and promoting them online can also increase your local visibility. The more active and engaged your church is within the community, the higher it can rank in local searches.

Conclusion

Using effective SEO strategies makes your church more visible and accessible to people searching online. By optimizing your Google My Business listing, using relevant keywords, building high-quality backlinks, and leveraging local SEO, you can attract more visitors to your church. These efforts can help grow your congregation and expand your community outreach.

If you're ready to boost your church's online presence, Faithworks Marketing is here to assist. We specialize in SEO for churches, Google Ad Grant, website design, and social media services tailored for churches. Contact us today to see how we can help your church become a beacon in the digital world!

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The mission of the church has always been to reach people with the gospel, but the methods of doing so have evolved. In the past, word-of-mouth, community events, and print media were the primary ways churches engaged with their communities. Today, however, people spend a significant portion of their lives online, making digital platforms the new mission field. Despite this shift, some pastors and church leaders resist the idea of marketing, believing it to be unspiritual or unnecessary. However, as Pastor George Ashford of Journey Church in Columbia, SC, explains in a recent episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast , evangelism has always been about meeting people where they are—and in 2025, that place is social media. This blog will explore why churches need to embrace digital marketing, how Journey Church successfully uses social media for outreach, and practical steps your church can take to expand its online presence. The Misconception About Church Marketing One of the biggest pushbacks against digital marketing in churches is the belief that "we don’t need marketing, we just need to preach the word." Many pastors see social media outreach as unnecessary, or worse, a distraction from traditional evangelism. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out in the podcast, evangelism has always been about going where the people are . John Wesley, one of the founding figures of the Methodist movement, didn’t wait for people to come to a church building—he went into fields, coal mines, and public squares to preach. The same principle applies today: if people are spending hours on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, then churches must be there too. Critics of church marketing often don’t realize that many of the methods they already use—flyers, event invitations, and even a church website—are forms of marketing. 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Each platform serves a different purpose: Facebook – Best for engaging with church members, sharing announcements, and live streaming. YouTube – Perfect for sermon uploads, Bible studies, and testimonials. Instagram/TikTok – Ideal for short, engaging clips that attract younger audiences. 2. Be Consistent A social media page that only posts once every few months isn’t effective. Create a schedule for regular posts, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly . 3. Prioritize Quality Good lighting, clear audio, and engaging visuals make a difference. Invest in a good microphone and camera or partner with a company like Faithworks to ensure high-quality content. 4. Encourage Online Giving Digital giving is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Services like Tithe.ly, Pushpay, and PayPal allow members to give from anywhere . As Pastor Ashford pointed out, 50% of Journey Church’s weekly giving now comes from online sources. 5. Track Your Progress Use analytics tools to track engagement. 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By Jono Long • January 3, 2025

As churches navigate an ever-evolving cultural and technological landscape, reaching communities effectively requires innovation, intentionality, and an unwavering commitment to serving people where they are. In this episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Jono Long sat down with Doug Garasic, pastor of Rust City Church in Ohio, to discuss what it means to truly impact communities in meaningful ways. Their conversation offered a wealth of insights for pastors and church leaders ready to embrace bold outreach strategies and sustainable growth. The Foundation: “Known Before Needed” One of the standout principles Doug shared is that churches must be “known before needed.” In times of personal crisis or pivotal life moments, people look to the church. Doug emphasized that making an impact requires consistent presence and visibility in the community. This visibility isn’t about flashy marketing or gimmicks—it’s about meeting tangible needs and building trust over time. For example, Rust City Church moved beyond traditional outreach methods like backpack giveaways, which were already saturated in their area. Instead, they asked local schools what they truly needed. The answer? Support for teachers. The church transformed a school library into a spa day for faculty and staff, complete with massages, gift cards, and supplies. This disruption of expectations created a memorable and meaningful experience, leaving a lasting impression of care and support. Building Outreach on Intentionality A key takeaway from Doug’s story is the importance of intentionality. Churches must resist the urge to replicate what others are doing and instead focus on real community needs. Before launching an outreach effort, Rust City Church asks, “What’s not being done that needs to be done?” This intentional approach not only avoids redundancy but ensures their actions resonate with the people they serve. One innovative example is their "Black Friday Survival Kit" initiative. Instead of focusing on shoppers, they provided lattes, snacks, and stress-relief items to mall employees working on the busiest day of the year. Simple yet impactful, this initiative highlighted the church’s creativity in identifying overlooked segments of the community. Sustaining Momentum: Less is More Doug highlighted the danger of burnout for both church leaders and members. To combat this, Rust City Church focuses on doing fewer events but executing them with greater impact. By choosing two to four key outreach initiatives annually and dedicating their full resources to them, they ensure each event is impactful, memorable, and sustainable. Doug also shared an essential leadership principle: every successful initiative needs a “champion” within the congregation and an external “coach” for guidance. This dual structure helps churches maintain energy, focus, and excellence without overwhelming their teams. Learning from Failures Not every effort yields the desired results, as Doug candidly admitted. In one instance, Rust City Church gave away a fully remodeled home to a family in need, only to have the family sell the house within weeks. While disheartening, the experience reinforced the importance of learning from mistakes and seeking guidance from organizations with more experience in similar efforts. “Cracking the code” of impactful outreach requires patience, trial, and humility. It’s about aligning passion with processes to create enduring change. Marketing Beyond the Walls For Doug, effective church marketing isn’t about flashy ads or exaggerated promises. He describes the dangers of “monster truck marketing”—overblown promotions that fail to deliver genuine impact. Instead, he advocates for sharing authentic stories of community engagement. By amplifying the meaningful work churches are already doing, they not only attract people but also build a reputation as a vital and trustworthy presence in the community. Playing the Long Game Doug’s advice for 2025 is clear: churches must embrace the long game. The goal isn’t to fill seats overnight but to create a culture of care and service that naturally attracts people when they’re ready for spiritual growth. As Doug puts it, “Even people who don’t attend our church should be glad we’re here.” For pastors and leaders looking to make a deeper impact in their communities, the principles shared in this conversation offer a roadmap: be intentional, prioritize sustainability, embrace innovation, and always lead with love.

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