eChurch Digital
eChurch Digital SEO · Getting Started

Get Your Church Connected in Just a Few Steps

Welcome! This simple guide will help you install eChurch Digital SEO, connect Google Search Console, and understand how people are finding your church online.

Start Setup ↓ Jump to a Step
Your First Steps

Here’s What You’ll Learn

  • ✓ Install the free Core plugin
  • ✓ Connect Google Search Console
  • ✓ Check your plugin plan
  • ✓ Understand your SEO dashboard
  • ✓ Discover keyword opportunities
  • ✓ Explore optional advanced tools

Built for pastors, church staff, and ministry volunteers. No SEO experience required.

Quick Navigation

Jump to Any Step

Already started setting up your plugin? Pick up right where you left off.

STEP 01Install the Plugin STEP 02Connect Google STEP 03Check Your Plan STEP 04Understand the Dashboard STEP 05Explore Keywords STEP 06AI Content Tools STEP 07Sermon Clips HELPSupport & Troubleshooting
01
Step One · Core

Install eChurch Digital SEO

The first step is to install our free Core plugin directly from your WordPress dashboard.

How to Install the Core Plugin

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click Plugins → Add New Plugin.
  3. Search for eChurch Digital SEO.
  4. Find the plugin published by eChurch Digital.
  5. Click Install Now.
  6. Click Activate.
  7. Open eChurch Digital SEO from your WordPress admin menu.
View Plugin on WordPress.org ↗
Good to know: You do not need to purchase Plus or Premium to begin using the Core plugin. Start with your Google Search insights and explore additional features later.

Already Have a Paid Add-on?

Plus and Premium use an additional Pro plugin alongside Core. Install and activate Core first.

  1. Download the Pro ZIP provided with your purchase.
  2. In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
  3. Click Upload Plugin.
  4. Select your Pro ZIP file.
  5. Click Install Now.
  6. Click Activate Plugin.

If you move from Plus to Premium, your plan eligibility is managed through the Connection Hub. You normally do not need a different Pro plugin.

02
Step Two · Google Connection

Connect Google Search Console

Google Search Console helps you understand how your church website appears in Google Search. Connecting it allows eChurch Digital SEO to display your search performance.

Connect Your Google Account

  1. Open eChurch Digital SEO in WordPress.
  2. Go to the Google connection area.
  3. Click Connect with Google.
  4. Sign in using a Google account that has access to your church’s Search Console property.
  5. Review the requested permissions and approve the connection if you’re comfortable proceeding.
  6. Select your church website property if prompted.
  7. Return to WordPress and confirm that your connection is active.
New to Google Search Console? Your website must have a verified Search Console property that your Google account can access. Open Google Search Console ↗
Not seeing any data yet? New websites or newly verified properties may not have enough search history to display meaningful results. This does not necessarily mean the plugin is malfunctioning.
03
Step Three · Your Plan

Check Your Plugin Plan

Once you’re connected, you can check which features are available for your church website.

How to Check

  1. Open eChurch Digital SEO.
  2. Open the Pro Plan or plan information area.
  3. Review the plan shown for your website.
CORE

SEO Insights

Google Search performance, search queries, keyword opportunities, and helpful content ideas.

PLUS

AI & Research

The paid add-on is designed for AI content assistance and expanded keyword research.

PREMIUM

Video & Social

The advanced tier is designed to add sermon clipping and expanded outreach tools.

Important: Core is the starting point. Plus and Premium features require the appropriate paid access and availability. You can still follow the next steps using Core.

If your paid plan doesn’t appear correctly, confirm that the website is associated with your purchase and contact support for assistance.

04
Step Four · Core Dashboard

Understand Your SEO Dashboard

Your dashboard gives you a picture of how people are discovering your church through Google Search.

Impressions

The number of times your website appeared in Google Search results.

Clicks

How many times someone clicked your website from Google Search.

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

The percentage of impressions that resulted in a click.

Average Position

Your website’s average position across the searches where it appeared.

Start here: Pay attention to impressions and clicks over time. These can help you understand whether your website is becoming more visible and attracting visitors from Google Search.

Try This Simple Exercise

  1. Open your SEO dashboard.
  2. Write down your impressions.
  3. Write down your clicks.
  4. Review your top search queries.
  5. Check again later using the same reporting period for a fair comparison.
05
Step Five · Search Opportunities

Discover What People Are Searching For

A keyword is simply a word or phrase someone types into Google. Understanding these searches can help your church create more helpful content.

Start With Core

  1. Open the keyword or search query area in eChurch Digital SEO.
  2. Review phrases associated with your church website.
  3. Look for relevant searches with impressions.
  4. Choose one phrase connected to your church’s ministries, location, or community needs.
  5. Consider whether your website already answers that search.
CORE

Search Query Insights

Review search information from Google Search Console and discover possible content topics.

PAID FEATURE

Expanded Keyword Research

Eligible paid users can use location-based keyword research to investigate search volume and other keyword information, when enabled for their plan.

Example: Someone searching for “church near me” may be looking for a congregation to visit. Someone searching for “youth ministry in San Francisco” may be looking for a ministry for their family.

The goal is to understand real needs in your community and create pages that genuinely help people.

Advanced Tools

Take Your Digital Outreach Further

Once you understand your search data, advanced tools can help you research new topics, draft content, and prepare messages for social media.

PLUS / PREMIUM

Keyword Research

Research relevant search phrases, including location-based search volume and keyword opportunities.

PLUS / PREMIUM

AI Blog Drafts

Use AI assistance to prepare a first draft of helpful content for your church website.

PLUS / PREMIUM

Social Content

Create engaging captions, post ideas, and short-form video scripts for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook.

These tools require eligible paid access. Feature availability and usage limits depend on your active plan.

06
Step Six · AI Content

Create a Helpful Content Draft

If AI Blog Draft is enabled for your plan, you can use it to turn a content opportunity into a starting draft.

How to Get Started

  1. Open a relevant blog opportunity.
  2. Select the AI Blog Draft option.
  3. Generate a first draft.
  4. Read and verify the entire draft.
  5. Add your church’s ministry details, location, voice, and helpful information.
  6. Publish only after reviewing and editing the finished content.
Remember: AI can help you prepare content, but your church should always review accuracy, Scripture references, and ministry information.
07
Step Seven · Premium Video

Turn Sermons Into Short Videos

The Premium sermon clipping workflow is designed to help churches repurpose long-form sermon videos into shorter messages for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms.

How the Sermon Clip Workflow Works

  1. Open Sermon Clips when enabled for your plan.
  2. Paste a supported sermon video link.
  3. Click Create Clips.
  4. Allow the video processing to complete.
  5. Check the clip status.
  6. Review the recommended clips and available scores.
  7. Preview or export the clips you want to use.
Content Tip: Look for sermon moments that contain a clear teaching point, encouragement, testimony, or invitation. Review every clip before posting.

Sermon clipping requires Premium eligibility and access to the video processing feature.

Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions you may have while getting started.

Do I need Plus or Premium?

No. You can begin with the free Core plugin and learn about your website’s Google Search performance.

Why is my dashboard empty?

Confirm your Google connection and selected Search Console property. New or low-traffic sites may not have search data available yet.

Do I need a Google account?

Yes. You’ll need a Google account with access to your church website’s Google Search Console property.

Why can’t I use a paid feature?

Check that your Pro add-on is active, your website has the correct plan, and the feature is available under your subscription.

Still Need Help?

If you’re having trouble installing, connecting Google, or accessing your plan, we’re happy to help.

Contact eChurch Digital Support →
Your Next Step

Now Start Using What You’ve Learned

The goal isn’t just to look at numbers. It’s to use what you learn to improve your church website, answer real questions, and help more people discover your ministry.

01

Watch your search performance

02

Find one opportunity

03

Create one helpful piece of content

Get eChurch Digital SEO Core ↗