November 30, 2017
Feature Spotlight: Online Church Directory
Part of our ongoing Feature Spotlight Series
If you're looking for a system to easily update and automatically build your printable church directory, we can help. For churches small to large, our robust online software allows your church members to input and update their photo with contact information using the Members Portal of our Membership Database. While the online version is searchable to your members, the printable church directory is automatically configured by our software to be foldable, double-sided, and alphabetized by family last name. You can customize the look of both Front and Back pages with your church logo, text and images. Check out a PDF sample of our printable Church Directory; keep in mind that it's formatted order is for a two-sided, foldable set of papers.
If you're an Online Church Solutions client this powerful tool, along with many others, is already available in your All in One Place, All For One Price account.
November 08, 2017
10 Things for Your Church to Check Before Christmas
Christmas is around the corner! Review our 10-Item Christmas Checklist for your church's online presence and communications resources ahead of those first-time visitors:
For Your Website:
- Map and Directions
The most important pieces of information a new visitor needs are best placed on your front page—or make sure you have a clear link on the front that takes visitors to that information. Be sure to review your Map, Contact, Service Times, and don't forget a brief Welcome, or whatever information you'd like people to easily access. - Place Special Service Times on the Front
Make sure your visitor can easily find out when the Special Choral or Christmas Event times are by giving that information a prominent place on the front of your website. - Update Contact Info
Nothing is more frustrating to a visitor than to use a contact method or information and it doesn't work. Take a moment to review your website with fresh eyes regarding phone numbers, email addresses, and even outdated information (Summer Picnic?). Click on links within your website to make sure they do what they're supposed to do, and send a test email through your Contact or other forms to make sure a visitor contact is being received by the right email address in your church. - Consider a "What to Expect" Page
If your church doesn't already have one, a "What to Expect" page can be a helpful way for visitors to your church feel comfortable about attending your services. Explaining dress attire, style of worship or even where to park gives people the confidence to attend your service without feeling awkward. Need some inspiration? Check out this Visitor Page from one of our churches, Greenwood Baptist Church in South Carolina. - Review Your Social Media Profile
Take a glance over your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram profile. Is your contact info up to date? Does your Profile or Cover photo reflect current information? For your Facebook Page, consider using the Events section to let people know when your Special Services will be held.
For When Your Visitors Have Arrived: - Using our Keyword Texting Tool you can easily direct people to receive more information about your church by texting a simple word, such as VISITOR.
- A Connection Card is a great place for visitors and regular attenders to register their presence, ask a question, or give a prayer request.
- Child Check-In helps you keep track of your Kids Ministry and includes easy visitor registration.
- Have Special Designated Gifts or End-of-Year Donations? Text to Give provides the easiest way for your church attenders to donate money using their smartphone.
- After people have visited your church, it's often so important to continue the conversation. Visitor Follow-Up is a great way make sure new people don't "fall through the cracks".
March 17, 2015
Our Three Year Anniversary
Three years ago today we launched Online Church Solutions, and it seems like the time has flown. From a simple website builder, our service has grown to include church management software. Over the past few days we've both been reflecting on these three years, and we agreed that we've been blessed at the warm relationships that have come from our customers. It's been amazing to know that we're helping churches—and in turn they've helped us to create specific management tools that are most helpful to ministries. The referral business that we've received has been priceless. Now that our foundation is done, we're excited about our future new tools and tying all of it together. Keep watching for more tools and improvements to roll out over the next few days and in weeks to come.
March 17, 2012
The Launch of Online Church Solutions
Happy St. Patrick's day, and welcome to our new website! We're excited to get to launch our new service and hope and pray that it will be a blessing to many churches and ministries. Have a look around, and let us know what you think.
