The key is to find how they're listed in directories, linked to other sites and tagged for search engines. An increasing number of online directories and community publishing groups are making it easier to find a congregation and to give congregations an easy, inexpensive way to develop a Web site.
Many denominational sites have neat lists, by state and community.
Some chambers of commerce or government Web sites have links to churches and other community groups. More than 42,000 churches have Web sites listed on the Houses of Worship directory, listed by location and denomination. There are 125 from the Miami Valley. Each can edit and update its Web site. Churches have recently been invited and are starting to take advantage of it, said Jennifer Lesick, ActiveDayton producer.