Google My Church
Google My Church: A Practical Guide to Getting Found Online
In a digital-first world, your church’s online presence is often the first point of contact for new visitors. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about setting up and managing your church’s Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Learn why it matters, how to claim or update your listing, and how to use it to share updates, highlight ministries, and help people find their way to your door. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your online presence to the next level, this guide will help you put your church on the digital map — literally!
- Download Google My Church guide (PDF | 3mb) PDF
- Use the Table of Contents below to explore topics on the page
Read time: 15-18 minutes
Table of Conents
Introduction
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for any organisation, including churches. One of the easiest ways to get your church’s information online and make it accessible to your local community is through Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business). If you haven’t heard of it before, don’t worry – this page will walk you through how Google Business Profile can help your church grow and reach people in your area, why it’s important to keep the profile updated, and how to access and manage your church’s profile.
Why a Google Business Profile is important for your church
1 – Improve local visibility When people search for churches in your area, having an updated Google Business Profile means your church is more likely to appear in search results. Your church’s name, location, service times, and contact details will show up on Google Search and Google Maps, helping new visitors find you easily.
2 – Build trust with your community An updated profile allows you to showcase what makes your church special. You can share information about your services, activities, and community events, making it easier for people to learn about what’s happening at your church. When potential visitors see current, accurate information, they are more likely to trust your church. Be sure to include a business description on your Google My Business profile. This is your chance to share a brief and engaging paragraph that gives people a glimpse into who your church is. What’s your church’s purpose and mission? What traditions or values do you hold dear? And most importantly, what can visitors expect when they come through your doors? A well-written description will help potential visitors feel more connected and informed before they even arrive.
3 – Share important updates Whether you’re hosting a special event, offering new services, or changing your service times, Google My Business is a great place to quickly inform people of these updates. Posting pictures, events, and announcements on your profile helps to keep your congregation and visitors informed in real-time. Just like you might share updates on Facebook or Twitter, Google Business Profile is a great way to keep people in the loop about what’s happening at your church. You can use the “Post” and “Event” features to spread the word about upcoming services, events, or anything exciting going on!
4 – Attract new visitors A well-maintained Google Business Profile not only provides your regular attendees with easy access to your church’s information, but it also helps you attract newcomers. People looking for a church nearby or researching local services can easily find your church with a simple search, increasing your potential outreach.
The importance of regular updates
Keeping your church’s Google Business Profile updated is vital to ensuring that people can easily find and engage with your church. Regular updates help you to:
- Show accurate service times: If you have any changes to your regular service times or special seasonal events, make sure these are updated promptly to avoid confusion.
- Highlight new programs or ministries: Update your profile to reflect any new programs, youth groups, or outreach initiatives, so your community knows what to expect and can get involved.
- Share photos and videos: Give your church community – and those who might be looking for a church home – a window into the life and heart of your congregation. Share recent photos and videos from church events, services, small groups, or even behind-the-scenes moments. Whether it’s a joyful baptism, a heartfelt worship night, or a simple gathering over coffee, these glimpses tell a story of connection, faith, and belonging. They help people feel the warmth, love, and spirit of your church, even before they step through the doors.
- Engage with your community by responding to reviews: Google allows visitors to leave reviews and ask questions about your church. Responding to these promptly helps build trust and show that you are active and engaged in your community – thanking people for their kind words or addressing any concerns with care. It’s a great way to show your church is welcoming and attentive. Share posts about upcoming events, services, or special celebrations to keep your profile active and inviting. If anyone has questions about your church – like service times, accessibility, or what to expect when they visit – respond directly to help them feel more informed and comfortable before they even step through the door.
How to find and edit your church’s profile
URC Churches on Google are ‘owned’ by the administration of the Communications/Ministries offices of the URC. All ownership rights are held together at Church House for safeguarding reasons, but the profiles are managed and updated by local churches.
Note: If you are an LEP, you will need to choose which denomination will hold the ownership rights to your page.
About your Google church ownership
To help protect each church’s Google Business Profile and ensure continued access, all URC profiles are now owned by Church House. A designated person at your local church will still have full management access, but overall ownership stays with us at Church House – so your church keeps full use of the profile without the risk of losing access.
We’ve made this decision based on past experiences where a site manager moved away, became unavailable due to illness, or passed away. In those cases, the church was left without access to their own pages, which was understandably frustrating and difficult to resolve.
By keeping ownership at Church House, we can make sure your church never loses access. If there’s ever a gap – like if the current volunteer steps down – we’re able to step in and help manage the site until a new person is appointed. This approach is simply about safeguarding your church’s online presence and ensuring everything keeps running smoothly, no matter what happens. These actions will ensure that the church access is safeguarded for all eventualities.
If you are part of a local URC, chances are the URC offices have already set up a Google Business Profile for your church. Here’s how to find and manage it:
Step 1: Search for your church’s name on Google
Start by typing your church’s name into Google Search or Google Maps. Your church’s profile may appear directly in the search results or on the map. If you find your church’s profile, click on it.
Step 2: Make updates
If you are already a manager, you can update all the details, including:
- Church name and address,
- Church phone number or, if there is not one, your Synod office number
- Service times
- Website or Facebook link etc (if applicable)
- Photos of your church and activities
- Hours of operation
- Special events
- Correct positioning on Google maps
- You can also respond to reviews, add posts about upcoming events, and answer any questions people may ask about your church
How to become a manager of an exising Google Business Profile
If you’d like to help manage your church’s Google Business Profile – whether that’s updating information, posting events, or responding to reviews – you can become a Manager of the profile (you can have several managers per church). Here’s how to request access:
Step 1: Confirm permission with your church secretary
Before submitting your request to Church House, please confirm with your own Church Secretary that you have your churches approval to manage the profile on their behalf. Please supply your Church Secretary with the name and email address that will be used and then you can submit a request to Church House, as described below. Once your Google online request has been received Church House will check with your Church Secretary to confirm that you have received this permission, which may cause a delay of a few days. You will then be granted Manager access to your church’s Google Business Profile (you will receive confirmation by email).
Step 2: Submit a request via Google Business Profile
To request Manager (not ownership) access to your church’s Google Business Profile, you can submit an online request by follow these steps:
1. Sign in to Google: Make sure you are signed in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create it.
2. Search for your church: On Google or Google Maps, search for the business or place you want to request management access to.
3. Find the “Request Access” option: You should see an option such as “Request Access” on the business profile page. This is typically located under the “Own this business?” or “Is this your business?” section. Some interface options can appear differently depending on the device. You may need to try from a different device or browser.
4. Fill out the Request Form: Click Request Access, and a pop-up will appear asking for your contact information and relationship to the business.
5. Wait for the response from URC Church House: Once you submit the request, Church House staff will receive a notification. A response may take a few days as they need to verify your details.
Alternative Step 2: Submit a request via Church House
You may email church house directly with your request at [email protected]. Please include your church’s full name, address, and a URL linking to the google link you are requesting access to, along with the name and the email address that you are requesting access for. A response may take a few days as we still need to verify details.
What to do if there’s no profile for your church
If you’ve searched for your church and can’t find an existing profile, don’t worry! It’s easy to get one set up.
1. Contact the URC office: If you believe your church does not yet have a Google Business Profile, you can get in touch with the URC staff for assistance. Just email [email protected] to let them know you need a profile for your church. The URC office will create and help set you up for managing your Google church profile.
2. Provide the required information: When contacting the URC office, be ready to provide your church’s full name, address, and any other relevant information to help create the profile.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world, Google Business Profile is a powerful tool for churches to connect with their community, share updates, and increase visibility. By regularly updating your church’s Google profile, you can ensure that new and returning visitors can easily find information about your church, its services, and activities. If your church does not yet have a profile, don’t hesitate to contact the URC office at [email protected] to get started.
Your church’s profile is an opportunity to shine online, share your mission, and welcome new members into your congregation. Take the time today to explore and update your church’s profile – your community is waiting to find you!
Download this guidance
- Google My Church (PDF | 3mb)