Getting a website built as a missionary isn’t complicated. But picking the wrong option can cost you time, money, and sometimes supporters. Here at Toucan Web Design, we’ve broken down every real option available so you can make an informed decision based on your budget, tech comfort, and goals.
The 4 Main Options at a Glance
Before getting into the details, here’s what we’re covering:
- Your sending agency’s support page
- DIY website builders (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, mydiysupport.com)
- Done-for-you missionary website services
- Hire a freelance web designer
Each one suits a different situation. Let’s go through them.
Option 1: Your Sending Agency’s Support Page
Some sending organizations offer missionaries a basic support or profile page as part of their membership. It’s free, it’s fast, and it’s already connected to your agency’s donation system.
Cost: Free Setup time: 1 to 3 days Tech skill needed: Very low Ownership: None, the agency owns it Maintenance: Handled by the agency
The main problem here is control. You can’t customize it much, you don’t own the domain, and if you switch agencies, the page goes with them. People in missionary Facebook groups often mention this as their first step, but not their long-term solution.
Best for: Someone who needs something live immediately with zero budget.
Option 2: DIY Website Builders
This is the most popular route. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com let you build your own site using drag-and-drop tools, no coding needed.
Cost: Roughly $10 to $25 per month Setup time: A few days to a couple of weeks Tech skill needed: Low to medium Ownership: You own the site Maintenance: You handle it yourself
Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
Wix
Very flexible, fully drag-and-drop. Easy to get started but can get messy if you don’t plan the layout in advance. Good for beginners who want creative control.
Squarespace
Probably the cleanest looking option out of the box. Templates are polished and professional. Less flexible than Wix but easier to keep looking good. Moving away from Squarespace later can be difficult.
WordPress.com
More powerful than Wix or Squarespace, but has a steeper learning curve. People say it’s the best long-term option if you’re willing to learn it. The free plan is limited; you’ll want a paid plan for a custom domain.
mydiysupport.com
This one sits between a full DIY builder and a done-for-you service. mydiysupport.com provides templates built specifically for missionaries raising support. You still input your own content and photos, but the structure and pages are already set up for you. It’s a good middle ground if general builders like Wix feel too open-ended but you still want hands-on control.
Best for: Missionaries who are comfortable learning a new tool and want full ownership of their site.
Option 3: Done-For-You Missionary Websites – Missions Websites
A handful of services exist specifically for missionaries. They build the site for you, handle hosting and maintenance, and usually include features like blog posting, email updates to supporters, and donation link integration.
Missions Websites is one of the more established missionary web designers in this space. You send them your content and photos, they build it, and most maintenance is handled on their end.
Cost: Starting at $19 per month depending on the plan Setup time: 2 to 4 weeks Tech skill needed: Very low Maintenance: Handled for Missions Websites
Some providers like MissionsWebsites.com also auto-publish your blog posts to social media and email lists, which saves real time. Reddit communities focused on missions have mentioned these services as a solid middle ground: more professional than a free agency page, less expensive than a custom build.
They have custom missionary website templates that are designed just for the needs of missionaries.
The downside is dependency. If the provider shuts down or raises prices, you may have to start over. Always check whether you can export your content and whether you own the domain separately.
Best for: Missionaries who want a professional result without the learning curve and don’t mind a monthly cost.
Option 4: Hire a Freelance Web Designer
If you have a specific vision, a larger ministry, or just want someone to handle everything from start to finish, hiring a freelancer is a strong option. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with designers at a range of price points. Word of mouth through your church network also works well here.
Cost: $300 to $2,000+ as a one-time fee Setup time: 2 to 6 weeks Tech skill needed: Very low on your end Ownership: Full ownership if set up correctly Maintenance: Usually falls back to you after launch, or you pay for ongoing support
The key thing to confirm before hiring anyone: make sure the domain is registered in your name, not theirs. And make sure you get the login credentials for everything when the project is done.
Best for: Missionaries with a specific vision, a larger ministry presence, or a one-time budget to spend.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Option | Cost | Setup Time | Tech Skill | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agency Page | Free | 1-3 days | Very low | None |
| DIY Builder | $10-25/mo | Days to weeks | Low-medium | Full |
| Done-For-You Service | $19/mo | 1-4 weeks | Very low | Partial |
| Freelance Designer | $300-2,000+ | 2-6 weeks | Very low | Full |
What to Look For Before You Decide
Regardless of which option you choose, ask these questions first:
Do you own the domain name? Your domain (like YourNameMissions.com) should be registered in your name, separate from whoever hosts or builds your site. If you ever switch providers, you keep the domain.
Who handles updates and maintenance? Some platforms require you to keep software updated. Others handle it for you. Know which one you’re signing up for.
How does donation integration work? Most missionaries direct supporters to their sending agency’s payment portal rather than accepting money directly on the site. Confirm the platform makes it easy to link to that page clearly.
Are there security options for sensitive regions? If you’re working in a restricted-access country, some platforms let you password-protect pages or hide content from search engines. Regardless of platform, always talk to your mission agency before putting location or operational details online.
Best Practices for Your Missionary Website
Picking the right platform is only half the job. Here’s what actually makes a missionary website work.
Have One Clear CTA Above the Fold
A CTA, or call to action, is the one thing you want a visitor to do when they land on your page. For most missionaries that’s “Support Our Ministry” or “Subscribe for Updates.”
Research consistently shows that pages with a single focused CTA convert better than pages with multiple options. Put it at the top of your homepage, make it a button, and use specific language like “Support Us” rather than something vague like “Learn More.”
Keep Navigation Simple
Stick to 4 or 5 pages max: Home, About, Updates or Blog, Support, and Contact. Every extra page adds a decision for your visitor. The simpler the navigation, the longer people stay.
Use Real Photos, Not Stock Images
Supporters give to people and places they feel connected to. A real photo of you on the field does more work than any stock image. Videos of your work are even better. Put your deputation or intro video near the top of your homepage if you have one.
Make Your Support Link Obvious
Don’t bury the link to your agency’s giving page in a menu. Put it in the navigation bar and repeat it throughout the site. Supporters who want to give should never have to search for the button.
Keep a Regular Update Section
A blog or news feed shows supporters that the work is active. It doesn’t need to be long. Short, regular posts do more for supporter retention than one long post every few months. Some missionary-specific platforms will automatically send your posts as emails to your supporter list, which is worth looking for.
Mobile-Friendly Is Non-Negotiable
Most people will visit your site on their phone. If your site doesn’t look good on mobile, you’ll lose them. Every platform listed in this article has mobile-responsive options, but always preview your site on a phone before calling it done.
Own Your Domain Separately
Buy your domain name through a registrar like Namecheap or Google Domains and keep it separate from whoever hosts your site. Something like YourNameMissions.com or YourLastNameFamily.org gives you a permanent address that follows you regardless of which platform or agency you use.
FAQ
How much does a missionary website typically cost?
It ranges a lot. A free agency page costs nothing. A DIY builder runs $10 to $25 per month. Done-for-you missionary services are in a similar range, sometimes higher. A freelance designer is a one-time cost typically starting around $300 and going up from there depending on scope.
Can I move my website if I change agencies?
It depends on where your site lives. If you built it on a DIY platform or hired a designer and own the domain, yes. If your site is hosted through your agency or a proprietary missionary platform, it’s harder. Always confirm portability before committing.
What if I’m in a restricted-access country?
Talk to your mission agency before putting anything online. Some platforms offer password protection and the ability to hide your site from search engines. But your agency will know your specific situation better than any platform can.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Every option in this article requires little to no coding knowledge. Even the more complex DIY builders like WordPress offer no-code editors today.
Can supporters donate directly through my site?
Technically yes, but most sending agencies recommend directing supporters to the agency’s payment portal instead. It adds accountability and makes giving tax-deductible through the organization. Most missionary websites simply link out to that portal rather than processing donations directly.
