How much does a church website cost?
Searching for the cost of a church website is often searching for something else: "How much should we budget, and for what exactly?"
There is no single price. The cost depends on how the site is built, the level of customisation, and above all ongoing maintenance. This page compares the main options carefully — with no invented price ranges — and lays out Ekklesi's transparent pricing.
What actually makes up the price
Beyond the "build price," a website usually involves:
- design / layout;
- writing or adapting content;
- a domain name;
- hosting;
- an HTTPS certificate;
- maintenance and updates;
- support when something breaks;
- volunteer time (often underestimated).
A low quote up front can end up expensive if every change or every incident is billed separately.
Web agency
An agency can deliver a polished site, with guidance, design and sometimes training.
Strengths: possible quality, structured process, follow-up.
Watch out for: the upfront investment is often high, timelines are longer, and you depend on them for future changes. Total cost varies a lot depending on the brief and level of customisation.
Freelancer
A freelancer can be more affordable than an agency, with a direct relationship.
Strengths: flexibility, simple communication.
Watch out for: availability, continuity if they change careers, and quality that varies by profile. Be clear from the start about who handles maintenance after delivery.
WordPress
The WordPress software itself is free. A WordPress site that is useful and maintained has a cost: hosting, theme, plugins, updates, and sometimes technical work.
Strengths: very flexible, large ecosystem.
Watch out for: maintenance (security, compatibility, backups) usually falls on the church or a provider. See WordPress or a specialised solution.
Wix or an online site builder
Builders often let you get started quickly, with a monthly subscription.
Strengths: quick to get going, little technical knowledge needed at first.
Watch out for: structural limits, costs that grow with extra options, and features that are not always aligned with church life. See Is Wix right for a church.
Specialised SaaS for churches
A specialised platform generally charges a subscription that includes the tool, hosting, and part of the maintenance.
Strengths: built with churches in mind, more predictable cost, less technical burden.
Watch out for: less room for extreme customisation. This is often a good trade-off for a local church.
Domain name
The domain name is your website's address (e.g. mychurch.com). It renews yearly. See Do you need a domain name for your church.
With Ekklesi, you can get started and then connect a custom domain whenever it fits your journey.
Hosting
Hosting is what keeps your site online. On WordPress or a "homemade" site, it is often billed separately. On a SaaS platform, it is generally included in the subscription.
Maintenance
This is the most underestimated line item.
- security updates;
- fixes after an update;
- backups;
- small changes (times, pages, forms).
A site with no maintenance often ends up frozen — or offline at the worst possible time.
Hidden costs to anticipate
- time spent "tinkering" with the tool;
- plugins or paid add-ons added along the way;
- a full rebuild because the site was not maintainable;
- dependence on a single technical person;
- loss of poorly organised content (Drive, messages, stories…).
The real price is also what your team will no longer have to carry.
Ekklesi's transparent pricing
Ekklesi keeps the model simple:
- a 30-day free trial to test it under real conditions, no credit card required;
- then €59.99/month, all included: site, hosting, updates, email support.
No separate modules to add up for the essentials. Full details on the pricing page. Why this model exists: Why is it paid.
How to choose based on your situation
| Situation | Common direction |
|---|---|
| Very custom needs, project budget | Agency / experienced freelancer |
| Solid in-house technical skills | WordPress can work well |
| Want to start fast, little technical skill | Site builder or SaaS |
| Local church, matching modules, clear monthly budget | Specialised SaaS (e.g. Ekklesi) |
For the creation process, see How to create a church website. For what a good site should contain, see Church website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of Ekklesi?
After the 30-day free trial, the subscription is €59.99/month. See pricing.
Why not give exact price ranges for an agency or WordPress?
Because they vary too much depending on the brief, the country, the provider and the level of maintenance. It is better to list the cost items than to invent a misleading figure.
Is the cheapest option upfront the most economical?
Not always. A site that is cheap to build but hard to maintain can end up costing more in time, fixes, or a full rebuild.