We live in an online world, where everything you could want or need is at your fingertips. Every American uses search engines every day to answer their questions, find nearby restaurants, give them advice, and more! Finding something on a search engine is the main way you find things these days.
So how does your church get on that search engine? How do you get your church to pop up when someone looks up “churches near me”? How do you get your sermon video to pop up when someone searches “powerful Easter sermon”?
That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about SEO and how your church can use it to your advantage. We’ll also explore the top 7 keywords your church needs to know to excel in SEO.
Ready to learn more?
Let’s jump in.
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contents
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization, commonly known as SEO, is a set of strategies and techniques used to improve the visibility of a website on search engines like Google. When people search for specific terms or questions, SEO helps ensure that your website appears higher in the search engine rankings.
For churches, this means more people can find your church website when they look for spiritual guidance, community events, or nearby places of worship online.
Importance of SEO for Churches
SEO is crucial for churches because it helps connect the congregation with the broader community. For local churches, appearing at the top of search engine rankings can attract new members and engage the existing ones. People often search for terms like “local churches near me,” “church services,” or “church events,” and if your church website is optimized, it will appear among the first results. This visibility can lead to increased attendance at services, events, and special programs such as a church youth group.
For example, lets say someone wants to find a new church that is the right fit for their family. They might look up on Google: “Non denominational churches near me”. There are going to be lots of Google results, but they will probably only look at the few at the top. If you had a non denominational church in their area, you’d want yours near the top of Google so they could find it!
That’s what SEO is about and that’s why your church needs to unlock its potential.
SEO Strategies for Church Websites
Here are some overall strategies to help your church with SEO.
1. SEO Keywords: Use relevant keywords that people might search for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website’s content, including blog posts, event descriptions, and service details. This article is dedicated to keywords, so keep scrolling to learn the top 7 keywords you should be using!
2. Local SEO: Since churches are local organizations, local SEO is particularly important. Ensure your church website includes your location, contact information, and a map. Register your church with online directories and Google My Business. This helps search engines understand your location and show your website to people in your area.
3. Mobile-Friendly Design: Many people use their phones to search for information. Make sure your church website is mobile-friendly, meaning it looks good and works well on smartphones and tablets. A mobile-friendly site improves user experience and is favored by search engines, helping your site rank higher.
4. Engaging Content: Regularly update your website with fresh, engaging content. This could be blog posts about faith, community news, or stories from church events. Highlight your church youth group’s activities, share photos, and provide updates on upcoming programs. Engaging content keeps visitors on your site longer and encourages them to return.
5. Social Media Integration: Link your church website to your social media profiles. Share website content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to drive more traffic to your site. Social media presence can also boost your search engine rankings as it increases your online visibility.
SEO for Your Church
SEO is a powerful tool for churches looking to grow their online presence and connect with their community. By optimizing your church website with relevant keywords, focusing on local SEO, ensuring mobile-friendliness, creating engaging content, and integrating social media, you can improve your search engine rankings.
This leads to better visibility, attracting new members and keeping your congregation informed and engaged. Whether you’re promoting your local church, church youth groups, or special events, SEO can help you reach a broader audience and fulfill your mission more effectively.
Top 7 Keywords for Churches
Now that you understand SEO, it’s important to also understand the importance of keywords. One of the main ways you can optimize your website to appear higher on search engines is to include certain keywords in the text of the website.
Here is our list of the top 7 keywords your church should be using to optimize for.
Raw Data on Keywords for Churches
| Keyword | Volume – Searches Per Month | Keyword Difficulty – Lower is Easier |
| churches near me | 368000 | 86 |
| catholic church near me | 201000 | 64 |
| church near me | 110000 | 84 |
| catholic churches | 40500 | 97 |
| christian churches near me | 27100 | 70 |
| baptist churches near me | 22200 | 67 |
| lutheran church near me | 22200 | 35 |
| non denominational churches near me | 22200 | 47 |
| christian church near me | 18100 | 64 |
| episcopal church near me | 18100 | 46 |
| methodist church near me | 18100 | 59 |
| lutheran churches near me | 14800 | 42 |
| pentecostal church near me | 14800 | 47 |
| presbyterian church near me | 14800 | 59 |
| non denominational church near me | 12100 | 63 |
| roman catholic church near me | 12100 | 61 |
| church of christ near me | 9900 | 39 |
| churches near me non denominational | 9900 | 38 |
1. Churches Near Me
The first keyword every church should focus on is Churches Near Me. This is one of the most common searches for people searching for churches.
It also has clear local intent, which is a metric Google uses to determine if it should show results from that locale or results from across the globe.
Make this keyword a priority, and you will show up in Local Searches too. If you are confused by the difference, we have a video about the Anatomy of a Google Search that may help.
The first keyword every church should focus on is Churches Near Me. This is one of the most common searches for people searching for churches.
It also has clear local intent, which is a metric Google uses to determine if it should show results from that locale or results from across the globe.
Make this keyword a priority, and you will show up in Local Searches too. If you are confused by the difference, we did a whole video about the Anatomy of a Google Search that may help.
NAP and Keywords for Churches
Next, you need to focus on the basics. Make sure your website is mobile friendly and that your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is accurate and up-to-date.
Check your Google My Business listing to ensure that everything is correct and complete. These are all essential elements for local SEO success.
If you want to go a step further, you can also start thinking about creating location-specific pages. For example, you could create a page for each of the cities or towns near your church.
On these pages, you would include information like service times, directions, and anything else that would be relevant to someone looking for a church in that particular area.
Creating location-specific pages can be a lot of work.
But it can be well worth it if it means getting your church in front of more people who are looking for a place to worship.
2. Church In (City)
Next, you should target church(es) in your area, and this would be the next most common search for people looking for churches.
For most churches, your city is the best choice, but this depends on your local context.
Churches in rural areas might see better results with churches in your county. A church in New York City might target their specific borough or neighborhood.
And a church in Los Angeles might want to target several keywords including churches near me, churches in LA, and churches in Los Angeles County.
The point is to think about what people in your area are actually searching for when they are looking for a church like yours.
3. Evangelical Church Keyword
For some people, the word Evangelical has a lot of baggage, and we can all agree it means different things to different people.
Despite the connotations of the word, it is one of the most regularly searched.
If you are an Evangelical Church, dedicate some content on the site to using that keyword.
This will show up in searches and help you attract people who are looking for a church like yours.
4. Denomination Name
People are likely to search for a kind of church they are familiar with. If you lead a Baptist church, Baptist is an important keyword for you.
Even if your church doesn’t feel very denominational, people are searching by those terms, and your church may be a great fit.
For example, if you are a Baptist church, you might want to target keywords like baptist churches near me. Or you could target churches near me that are baptist.
If you are a Methodist church, you might want to target keywords like Methodist churches near me or churches near me that are Methodist.
The goal is to target keywords that are relevant to your church and that people are actually searching for when they are looking for a church like yours.
By focusing on these seven keywords, you will be well on your way to improving your church
5. Bible Based Keywords
Bible Based is another common search term for people looking for a new church home.
While it is likely that it would be practicing Christians using the term, it is an excellent way for you to connect with people who are searching.
If you want to go a step further, you could also create a page on your website that is specifically for people searching for a Bible-based church.
On this page, you would include information about your church’s beliefs, doctrine, and anything else that would be relevant to someone looking for a Bible-based church.
6. Christian Churches Keyword
If someone were to ask you what kind of church you lead, you probably wouldn’t say a Christian Church. Most people would assume that.
But when people search, the evidence shows that they search for churches using this term all the time.
If you want your church to come up in these searches, make sure to use the keyword “Christian Church” on your website.
You can use it in the title of your homepage or in the meta keywords section. Even better, use the keyword throughout the content on your site.
The more times you use it, the better chance you have of showing up in Google
7. Spirit-Filled
Spirit-Filled means different things to different people.
To some, it means a church full of people who passionately love Jesus.
To others, it is a synonym for a pentecostal or charismatic church.
Either way, people are typing this into Google, and you can use that keyword to reach your community.
If you are a spirit-filled church, make sure that keyword is prominent on your website.
Use it in the title of your homepage, in the meta keywords section, and throughout the content on your site.
The more times you use it, the better chance you have of showing up in Google searches.
Church SEO Keywords
Focusing on church SEO keywords is essential for increasing your church’s online visibility and attracting more visitors. By carefully selecting and using keywords like “local churches,” “church services,” and “church in (city)” you can help your church website rank higher in search engine results. This makes it easier for people in your community to find you when they need spiritual guidance, want to join a church, or are looking for community events.
Remember to keep your content engaging and updated, and integrate your efforts with social media to maximize your reach. By understanding and applying these simple SEO practices, your church can effectively reach and connect with more people, fulfilling your mission and growing your congregation.
We hope this article was helpful for you! God bless!
More On SEO and Keywords For Churches
About The Author
