In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of church marketing has never been clearer. According to a Barna Group study, nearly one in three practicing Christians turned to online services during the pandemic era, underscoring just how pivotal a robust digital presence is for churches today. Whether you’re trying to engage remote congregants, increase overall attendance, or simply share your church’s mission with the broader community, effective marketing can be a game-changer.
However, the prospect of hiring a church marketing agency or church marketing company can be daunting. Many pastors find themselves navigating a sea of promises, tech jargon, and lengthy contracts, all without a clear road map. That’s why we’ve compiled this resource: 9 Things You Must Know Before Hiring an Agency or Marketing Company in 2025. By exploring these key considerations, you’ll be better equipped to partner with an agency that truly understands your church’s vision, aligns with biblical values, and delivers real, measurable results.
Table Of Contents
1. Beware of Scammers and Fake “Gurus”
2. Understand the Fine Print of Contracts
3. Five Key Questions to Ask for 21st Century Church Marketing
4. Evaluate Their Church-Specific Experience
5. Set Clear Goals and Expectations
6. Align on Core Values and Church Mission
7. Check Communication and Collaboration Style
9 Things You Must Know Before Hiring a Marketing Company For Your Church in 2025
1. Beware of Scammers and Fake “Gurus”
Protect Your Ministry from Deceptive Tactics
Unfortunately, some self-proclaimed marketing experts view churches as easy targets. If you’re on the hunt for Christian marketing services, or a church marketing company, do thorough research. Ask for real-world case studies and check online reviews. When an agency can’t produce hard data or refuses to offer proof of its past successes, consider it a red flag.
Demand Evidence of Proven Results
Whether you’re interested in digital marketing for pastors or a more traditional campaign, reputable agencies should supply tangible success metrics like boosted attendance, an uptick in online engagement, or growth in donations. Your church’s reputation, resources, and time are on the line—be certain you’re placing them in capable hands.
2. Understand the Fine Print of Contracts
3. Five Key Questions to Ask Every Church Marketing Company
4. Evaluate Their Church-Specific Experience
5. Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Define Your Church’s Objectives
Before starting any campaign, pastors should identify precise goals. Are you looking to strengthen local outreach, grow an online campus, or improve church social media marketing? Clear objectives guide your marketing partner and help them propose relevant church marketing services. Having a well-defined purpose also ensures the agency prioritizes the right strategies—be it increasing weekly attendance, enhancing digital engagement, or elevating community involvement.
Examples of KPIs and Benchmarks
It’s not enough to simply say you want to “grow” or “engage.” You need specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that help you measure progress. Here are a few KPI examples and typical benchmarks:
Website Metrics:
- Unique Visitors per Month: Track how many unique individuals visit your church’s website. An increase of 10-15% month-over-month might indicate effective outreach and SEO.
- Bounce Rate: This reflects how many people leave your site after viewing just one page. Aim to keep it below 50%; a lower bounce rate often means visitors find content that encourages them to explore more.
- Form Submissions or Prayer Requests: If you offer a prayer request form or a “Plan Your Visit” form, measure how many people fill it out each week. An uptick here suggests growing engagement and trust.
Email Open and Click-Through Rates:
- Open Rate: Churches often see average open rates between 25-30% for newsletters (Levaire data). If your open rate is below 20%, consider adjusting your subject lines or sending schedule.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): A CTR of 2-5% is typical for church email campaigns. Use clear calls to action—like “Sign up for our Bible study”—and track how many people click.
Social Media Engagement:
- Likes, Comments, Shares: Engagement is often a better measure than follower count. Aim to steadily increase likes/comments by 10-20% each quarter.
- Video Views or Watch Time: On platforms like Facebook or YouTube, track how many watch your livestreams or sermon clips. Consistent watch time growth can indicate strong content resonance.
Event Attendance and Volunteer Sign-Ups:
- In-Person Attendance: If you’re running a specific campaign (e.g., a new sermon series), monitor whether attendance grows or remains flat. A 5-10% increase could be a healthy sign.
- Volunteer Recruitment: Measuring how many new volunteers join or how many sign-ups you receive for church ministries. If volunteer numbers rise steadily, your marketing and communication are likely connecting well with members.
Online Giving and Tithes:
- Digital Giving Uptake: Track how many people switch from traditional to online giving platforms. A rising percentage of digital transactions can indicate trust in your online systems.
- Giving Amount: Observing consistent or increased giving amounts may reflect stronger member commitment and clarity in your messaging about church vision.
Agree on KPIs and Milestones
As you establish KPIs, discuss realistic benchmarks and timelines with your agency. For example, aim for a 15% increase in email open rates over three months or a 20% boost in average website visitors by the end of a quarter. Regular check-ins (weekly, monthly, or quarterly) help you evaluate progress using tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or Church Metrics. By tying specific targets to each goal, both you and the agency remain accountable throughout the partnership.
6. Align on Core Values and Church Mission
Honor Your Ministry’s Vision
The best agencies recognize that churches have unique values and a different bottom line than secular businesses. Marketing should be an extension of your church’s mission, not a distraction from it. Make sure any church marketing company or Christian marketing services you consider clearly respects and understands your spiritual principles.
Authentic Outreach Strategies
Ask the agency how they plan to maintain authenticity in messaging. Churches rely on genuine connections—any marketing efforts should reflect biblical principles like love, honesty, and service, rather than merely focusing on profit-driven tactics.
7. Check Communication and Collaboration Style
Responsive and Transparent Interaction
A successful partnership hinges on open dialogue. When exploring digital marketing for pastors, ask agencies how they handle weekly or monthly check-ins. Are they available for strategy sessions? Do they provide consistent updates on campaign performance? It’s also wise to find out what communication tools they use. Some agencies rely on robust project management software—like Asana or Monday.com. While these platforms can dramatically streamline collaboration, you or someone on your staff may need training to get the most out of them. Make sure you understand the learning curve and time commitment involved before committing to a long-term partnership.
Include Key Stakeholders
Church decision-making often involves multiple voices—pastors, elders, ministry leaders, and volunteers. Find a partner that values teamwork and is comfortable working with a range of church stakeholders, ensuring everyone remains aligned on goals and progress. Clear communication channels are essential, especially if you’ll be using new software tools to manage tasks and deadlines. By knowing the agency’s process up front—and understanding any technical or training requirements—you’ll reduce confusion, set realistic expectations, and foster a healthier working relationship.
8. Demand Transparency and Clear Reporting
Regular, Data-Driven Updates
Whether you’re running a church social media marketing initiative or a complete digital overhaul, expect consistent reporting on crucial metrics. This includes social media engagement, Google-Ad grant reports, email open rates, website traffic, and even intangible outcomes like increased volunteer sign-ups. Church Metrics by Life.Church can be useful for tracking these data points.
Ad Spend and Budget Clarification
With many churches operating on tight budgets, transparency on ad spend is essential. Confirm how funds are allocated for paid advertising campaigns, graphic design, or specialized tools. A trustworthy agency should show you exactly where your money is going and why.
9. Ensure the Founders and Team Truly Love Jesus
Shared Kingdom Vision
Before signing with any church marketing agency, take time to learn about the core leadership’s faith background. Do the founders and mid-level managers have a genuine heart for ministry, or are they simply good at creating eye-catching content? Passion for the Gospel often translates into more authentic and effective church marketing strategies.
Ministry-Focused Team Culture
An agency that consistently hires individuals who respect and value the local church will deliver marketing campaigns rooted in spiritual integrity. Look for signs that the team prays for their clients, discusses ministry goals, and truly wants your church to thrive—far beyond financial gain.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Church Marketing Partner in 2025
Marketing your church in 2025 involves more than just flashy graphics or clever social media captions. It requires a partner who understands marketing tips for churches, respects your mission, and integrates faith-driven principles into every strategy. By following these 9 things you must know before hiring an agency or marketing company, you’ll be equipped to find a church marketing company that genuinely cares about your congregation’s growth and spiritual impact.
At Creative Church Marketing, we combine Christian marketing services with a heart for ministry, ensuring every campaign aligns with your church’s values. Whether you’re focused on how to market your church online, boost attendance, or expand community outreach, our team stands ready to serve. Contact us today to learn how we can help your church fulfill its calling, one powerful marketing strategy at a time.
Bonus Resource: 10 Search Terms Every Pastor Should Know
When pastors and church leaders begin researching ways to market their ministries online, they often start with Google. Below are 10 common search terms you might use as you explore strategies, agencies, and best practices. Understanding each term will help you refine your search and find the right marketing partner for your church’s needs.
Church Marketing Company
- Why It Matters: Searching for “church marketing company” can help you find agencies that specifically cater to faith-based organizations, offering tailored solutions rather than generic business strategies.
Church Marketing Agency
- Why It Matters: Similar to a “company,” but often implies a broader team structure. An agency might provide multiple specialists (graphic designers, social media managers, video producers) under one roof.
Church Marketing Services
- Why It Matters: If you’re not ready to hire a full agency, looking for “services” can help you identify specific offerings like social media management or website design for churches.
Best Marketing Agency for Churches
- Why It Matters: Adding “best” to your search can surface top-rated or highly recommended agencies, giving you a quick sense of which teams have a proven track record with ministries.
How to Market Your Church Online
- Why It Matters: A question-based search often brings up how-to guides, blog posts, and tutorials—perfect if you’re looking for basic, do-it-yourself tips before hiring outside help.
Christian Marketing Services
- Why It Matters: Including “Christian” in your search can uncover faith-driven professionals who understand church culture, language, and mission, which can greatly improve alignment with your core values.
Church Social Media Marketing
- Why It Matters: If your primary focus is to boost engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, targeting social media–specific keywords will deliver more specialized solutions.
Church Marketing Strategies
- Why It Matters: Searching for “strategies” often leads to blog articles, case studies, and thought-leadership pieces that can inspire innovative approaches for your congregation.
Digital Marketing for Pastors
- Why It Matters: This term is more pastor-focused, often bringing up resources and agencies that understand pastoral leadership structures and ministry-oriented goals.
Marketing Tips for Churches
- Why It Matters: A broad phrase like “marketing tips” can yield quick insights, checklists, and best practices you can implement immediately—even if you’re not yet partnered with a professional agency.
By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the world of church marketing. You’ll also ensure your online research leads you to relevant, high-quality resources that respect both your budget and your mission.
