---
title: Start a free trial period for your ChurchTools Website
description: "Are you thinking about trying out the ChurchTools Website? Here are a few good reasons why that's a really great idea: During the trial period, you can try out all the features and publish your content. Your website link is…"
url: "https://churchtools.academy/en/help/website-and-finder/first-steps-website/start-a-free-trial-period-for-your-churchtools-website/"
updated: "2026-10-08"
category: Website / First Steps
---

# Start a free trial period for your ChurchTools Website

Are you thinking about trying out the ChurchTools Website? Here are a few good reasons why that's a really great idea:

During the trial period, you can try out all the features and publish your content. Your website link is publicly available, so others can also view the website using this link.

**Tip**

If you decide to do so and purchase a licence for your website during or at the end of your trial period, all your data will be retained and you can carry on working straight away. We explain how to book your licence in this article [“How to Purchase a License?”](https://churchtools.academy/help/system-einstellungen/lizenz/35-wie-buche-ich-eine-lizenz/)

## 1. Start a free trial period

In ChurchTools, open the *"Manage" menu* (1) and navigate to " *Public Relations* " (2). Under *"ChurchTools Website* " (3), start the *free trial period* (4) for your congregation's website.

[![Screenshot Manage menu_Public relation funktion](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Manage-menu_Public-relation-funktion.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Manage-menu_Public-relation-funktion.png)

[![View a screenshot of the public relations website](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CleanShot-2026-10-07-at-12.58.33.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CleanShot-2026-10-07-at-12.58.33.png)

## 2. Grant permissions

With the ChurchTools Website, you can automatically import public posts, calendar events, and information about individuals or groups from ChurchTools into your website.

After clicking " *Start Free Trial Period*" select *the posts, calendars, and**people* for whom you want to grant access. *Public groups* are automatically accessible. We explain exactly how to do this in the article ["How to manage access permissions for the ChurchTools Website?](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/website-and-finder/public-relations/how-do-i-manage-the-approvals-for-the-churchtools-website/)"

Once you've granted all the permissions you want to grant, click " *Start Free Trial Period*" again.

[![Screenshot](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Costless-Testphase.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Costless-Testphase.png)

**Tip**

If you'd like to skip this step for now or make changes later, you can do so by navigating to " *Public Relations* " > " *ChurchTools Website"* in your ChurchTools account and sharing the relevant information under " *Sharing* " on the left-hand side. We explain exactly how to do this in the article [“How to manage permissions for the ChurchTools Website?](https://churchtools.academy/de/help/website-und-finder/oeffentlichkeitsarbeit/wie-gebe-ich-daten-fuer-die-churchtools-website-frei/)”.

Once you've started the trial period in ChurchTools, your website will be set up for you.

Under *"Users* " (1), your ChurchTools account (2) is now listed as a user with the Role of " *Administrator"* for the ChurchTools Website.

[![Screenshot ChurchTools Website User](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ChurchTools-Website_User.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ChurchTools-Website_User.png)

**Tip**

Are you working with a team to test and maintain the website? We explain how to add more users to your ChurchTools Website in the article ["How to add users to our ChurchTools Website?](https://churchtools.academy/help/website-und-finder/oeffentlichkeitsarbeit/22-wie-fuge-ich-benutzer-fur-unsere-website-hinzu/)"

## 3. Configure the website

Under " *Overview* " (1), you can now *open* your *website* (2).

Here you'll also find the *link to your website's admin area* (3), where you can configure the website for your congregation. You'll automatically be signed up here using your ChurchTools credentials.

[![Screenshot ChurchTools Website Overview](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ChurchTools-Website_Overview.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ChurchTools-Website_Overview.png)