3 Paths to a Beautiful, Mission-Driven Website

September 11, 2025 by

Sarah Murphy

Makeover vs. Custom vs. Branding:
Let's Find the Right Fit.

You’ve taken the right first steps: you’re online, your mission is visible, and your community can connect with you. But maybe your site’s design no longer reflects who you are—or where you’re headed. Whether you’re facing cluttered pages, an outdated look, or a dream for something entirely new, it’s hard to know where to begin… or which path is right.

That’s where we come in.

At eCatholic, we offer design services to meet you right where you are. From parishes and schools to dioceses, ministries, and everything in between, our goal is the same: to help your organization shine online. Below, we’ll walk you through three popular service options—each tailored to different needs, budgets, and timelines—so you can find your best next step.

Skip ahead to: Homepage Makeover PLUS | Custom Design | Branding Package

 Homepage Makeover PLUS

You didn’t sign up to be a web designer—you signed up to serve. But as content requests came in over the years, your website slowly morphed into something disjointed, cluttered, or just plain outdated.

If your site is already on the eCatholic platform, the Homepage Makeover PLUS is the fastest way to breathe new life into your digital front door. It involves a full decluttering and prioritizing of your homepage and selected interior pages by one of our expert designers using one of our beautiful free themes—with zero downtime and zero stress.

The entire process was very smooth and the final results have been amazing. I love showing off our school website! Thank you for helping me reach my goal of an appealing, easy to navigate website!

- Aimee Stanno, St. Ann School Principal | stanns-school.org

What to Know About Homepage Makeover PLUS

Q: Do I need to start from scratch?
A: Nope. We’ll keep your content, photos, and files exactly where they are—just give them a fresh design.

Q: Can I keep my current site live during the process?
A: Yes! We’ll build your new design in draft mode. Nothing goes live until you say so.

Q: What if I want help cleaning up the navigation?
A: We’ll help you rework your site map so your visitors can find what they’re looking for with ease.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Most Homepage Makeover PLUS projects are completed in about 10 business days—often sooner!

Q: Can I choose the theme?
A: Absolutely! If you're not sure which fits your mission, personality, and design preferences, know that we're here to help guide you!

 Custom Design

When it’s time to craft something truly distinct, a Custom Design offers the craftsmanship, flexibility, and expert guidance to bring your vision to life. You’ll partner with our team on the design and functionality, then our experts will draft and code a one-of-a-kind theme, built exclusively for your organization on the powerful, intuitive eCatholic platform.

Whether you’re reimagining an existing site or launching something brand new, this tailored process gives you complete control over your brand identity, homepage layout, and visual style. With a dedicated project manager leading the way, you’ll receive thoughtful direction at every step—from discovery and inspiration to polished, pixel-perfect delivery.

We've already received so much positive feedback and are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with eCatholic's design team. They were quick to respond, thoughtful in their suggestions, and consistently went the extra mile to help us bring our vision to life.

- Hannah Kline, Youth & Young Adult Evangelization Consultant | evangelizeri.org

What to Know About Custom Designs

Q: Is this only for new eCatholic sites?
A: Nope! We can apply your new custom theme to an existing eCatholic website, or build a new website from scratch and apply the theme to that. 

Q: What if we’re launching a new site?
A: We offer the Quick Flip service to move your content into your new custom theme after it’s built and approved.

Q: Will you create the content?
A: We don’t write content, but we’ll help structure your homepage, suggest images to use, and share layout options for your interior pages.

Q: How long does it take?
A: About 6–8 weeks, depending on your team’s response time. We’ll keep you on track with a dedicated project manager.

Q: Will our site work on mobile?
A: 100%! Your custom theme is built to be responsive on screens of all sizes.

 Branding Package

Your message is bold, beautiful, and built to last—your visual identity should be, too. A Branding Package equips your organization with a versatile, mission-minded logo, an official brand style guide, and a fully custom website theme that beautifully extends your new brand across your eCatholic site.

The Branding Package includes everything from our Logo Design and Custom Design services—stacked into a single, seamless experience. You’ll start by collaborating with a professional brand designer to craft a logo and color palette that authentically reflect your mission. Once we receive your approval, that brand is then brought to life through a fully custom website design—built on the eCatholic platform and fine-tuned by our expert team for beauty, clarity, and performance. 

It’s all about building something remarkable… and recognizable.

I cannot say enough about eCatholic. We dipped our toes in years ago with a basic website package—amazing in itself! Just recently, we went bigger with a complete redesign and logo creation. Wow! We could not be happier.

-Susan Hemmersmeier, Communications Manager | visitationparish.org

What to Know About  Branding Packages

Q: What if we already have a logo?
A: That’s great! But if you're looking for a redesign or something more cohesive, the Branding Package is the best way to go.

Q: Can I just get the logo design without the website?
A: Technically yes, but most clients find the full Branding Package offers greater value, unity, and long-term impact. Learn more about the eCatholic Logo Design project.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Most Branding Packages are completed in 8–10 weeks. We keep the process moving with clear deadlines and regular communication.

Q: Can we move forward with the website before the logo is done?
A: We wait until the logo is finalized to begin the website phase—this ensures the design is consistent across all elements.

Q: Who will we work with?
A: You’ll collaborate with an experienced branding and design coordinator who guides you from concept to launch—every step of the way.

Still not sure? Let’s talk it out.

No matter what you choose, the goal is the same: a website that reflects your mission, supports your work, and helps your community thrive. Whether you’re ready for a light refresh or dreaming of a bold new brand, our team is here to help you take the next best step—at your pace, with your goals in mind.

Let’s talk about where you’re headed and how we can help you get there.

Explore What's Possible