They say the best things in life are free. But…
If you get something free that doesn’t help you get where you want to go, then what good is that?
For more than 25 years, OurChurch.Com has provided some form of free website service. But as of today, we are no longer giving the option to build a free website, and on October 1, 2023 we will discontinue existing free websites.
OurChuch.Com’s mission is to help Christian organizations live out their mission online.
We decided to discontinue free websites because we came to the conclusion that free websites are actually hindering the mission of the organizations that use them.
Because free sites don’t have their own domain name and instead have a URL like https://freesites.ourchurch.com/m/MyChurch/ they rank poorly in Google and other search engines and are very difficult to find.
What good is a website if you can’t find it?
In addition to that, there is a negative psychological factor that comes with free.
Often, people don’t value what they don’t have to pay for.
We have observed that most people who start building free websites don’t finish them. And those who do finish them, usually don’t update them.
Looking at this from the opposite perspective…
People tend to value something more when they pay a price for it.
By discontinuing free websites, we are challenging those of you who might otherwise sell yourselves short to invest in yourself and your God-given dream!
Our Bronze website package costs as little as $7.42/mo for the first year (less than the cost of 2 cups of coffee in most places), and it includes our WP-EZ Website Builder and the help of our amazing support team.
Existing free sites will continue to be supported through Sept 30, 2023. So, if you currently have a free site, you have until then to upgrade. To upgrade your free site:
- Login to MyOCC
- Hover on the Services menu and click “My Services”
- Click on your Free Account
- Click the “Upgrade” button
And if you are looking for an affordable, easy-to-use new website for your Christian church, school, ministry or business, check out our WP-EZ Website Builder!
Comment and discuss
- What’s your experience been like with free websites? Have they helped you live out your mission online and reach your goals or have they fallen short?
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.