Church CMS Review

ACS Technologies

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:06:58 +0000

My first impression of ACS Technology was that their website was hard to navigate and I could not find an organized list of specific features, then I found there CMS service, ExtendPlatform.com. They offer templates and custom design with conventional imagery and navigation layouts. ACS does not offer a ton of add-ons, but there was one major bonus I found only here- church accounting software integration. One of the major drawbacks searching through their current client sites was the lack of web standards, SEO friendly URLs and multi-campus support.

Features:

•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates and Predesigns
•    Unlimited Pages
•    Sermon Module
•    Events
•    Member Manager
•    Member Site Integration
•    Blogs
•    Custom Development
•    Flash Integration
•    Ecommerce
•    Donation manager
•    Custom Form Creator
•    Tech Support

SCORE: 13/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Baptist Bible Fellowship uses ACS

Extend Platform

AdvancedMinistry

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:06:41 +0000

AdvancedMinistry, a creation of Electricurrent, includes products that integrate web-presence, design, content, commerce and online communities. They have an in-depth demo on their site, which illustrates the ease in adapting their templates and managing your content. Their template designs feature almost identical layouts, which leaves little room for creativity and variance. However, their latest addition, AM 3.0, allows you to create your own custom templates. They do boast quite a few great features like web standards, SEO friendly URLs, blogs,Podcasts, Twitter integration and they have recently waived set-up fees for Ecommerce and donations. AdvancedMinistry is also heavily focused on brand unification, by providing similarly designed bulletin shells and PowerPoint backgrounds to go along with many of their web designs. Included in their platform, they offer a free Suite for missionaries and churches that cannot afford a website, and provide free desktop backgrounds and information through their Xpiritmental site.

Features:
• Template or Predesigns
• Unlimited Page Template Control (with Purple Package- .5 points)
• Beta Manager
• Web Standards
• SEO Friendly URLs
• Sermon Module
• Small Groups Module
• Events
• Location Manager (Meta tags)
• Member Manager
• Articles
• Multiple Blogs
• Photo Galleries
• Flash Integration
• Ecommerce
• Donate Manager
• Discussion Forums
• Twitter Integration
• Newsletter Module
• Web-based
• Unlimited Admins
• Permission-based Access Control
• Tech Support

SCORE: 22.5/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Christian Computing Magazine Article

Church Community Builder

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:06:26 +0000

CCB currently works with over 1,000 churches, from brand new church plants to established mega-churches. CCB not a content management system, but a church management system that can be integrated into an existing website. For this reason they partner with ElementFusion and SkyCMS to offer there customers a wider array of services. However, my review only includes the services specifically provided by CBB, not their partners. Here are some cool CBB features not included in my list that are worth noting: PDA mobile and iPhone interfaces, room booking for events and attendance tracking with self or group check-ins.

Features:
• Sermon Module
• Events and Registration
• Member Manager
• Member Site Integration
• Articles
• Photo Galleries
• Ecommerce
• Donate Manager
• Discussion Forums
• Newsletter Module
• Web-based
• Tech Support

SCORE: 12/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Christian New Wire Article

ChurchSites

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:06:10 +0000

ChurchSites offers a variety of packages, which feature separate template designs. The Design+ Package offers over 3,500 templates to choose from, with a wide range of styles and layouts. If the template you choose does not suit your churches identity, you can schedule a consultation with a ChurchSites rep to make slight changes to color or images; however, this is an extra $450. ChurchSites also offers an Audio/Video Media system for a separate fee that enables HD streaming, podcasts and has a search menu. Some other ChurchSites services are: SEO friendly URLs, unlimited pages and live chat rooms (bonus! not part of my review list).

Features:
•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates or Predesign
•    Self-design Option
•    Own/Manage Design Ongoing basis
•    Unlimited Page Template Control
•    SEO Friendly URLs
•    Sermon Module
•    Page/Navigation Flexibility
•    Events
•    Articles
•    Syndication
•    Photo Galleries
•    Flash Integration
•    Ecommerce
•    Discussion Forum
•    Newsletter Module
•    Tech Support

SCORE:16/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Client Testimonies

Church Web Works

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:05:56 +0000

Church Web Works just released Version 4.0 which touts 30 new features including media uploads, online form creator and animated flash integration. Their “Technology meets easy” platform ensures that you do not need any web design or development experience to utilize their product. Their sample templates and client websites illustrate a modern, but not necessarily innovative look and format. Church Web Works does offer custom design and development options along with many features like unlimited page template control, sermon module, blogging, ecommerce/donation manager and permission-based access control. Some downsides are the lack of web standards and SEO friendly URLs.

Features:
• Flexible Design Capability
• Template or Predesigns
• Unlimited Page Template Control
• Sermon Module
• Events
• Articles
• Multiple Blogs
• Custom Development
• Flash Integration
• Ecommerce
• Donate Manager
• Discussion Forums
• Newsletter Module
• Custom-form Creator
• Web-based
• Multiple Admins
• Permission-based Access Control

SCORE: 17/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Church Web Works pamphlet (pdf)

Clover

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:05:22 +0000

Clover Sites differ from the others in this category due to their entirely Flash-based templates. There are 15 different templates and they all have a really edgy, current design and layout. For a non-tech person, Clover is perfect because they have hard-coded everything for you already all you need to do is add your content. The flash definitely gives a swanky feel, but sadly cuts out on the SEO friendly URLs. If you are looking for something off the rack and with a current flare, Clover is perfect. However, there is not a lot you can do to personalize the site, less features then competitors and limited growing room.

Features:
•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates of Predesigns
•    Sermon Module
•    Events
•    Photo Galleries
•    Flash Integration
•    Donate Manager
•    Tech Support

SCORE:8/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

CMS Wire Article

Ekklesia 360

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:04:48 +0000

One of the things that really struck me about the Ekklesia 360 site, other than the great usability and look, was the step-by-step video for adding a sermon to your site. It was fast, easy and provided flexibility for the user. This is the only program that hits every point on the list- from web standards, SEO friendly URLs, templates, custom designs, to member manager, blogging, worship/song module, ecommerce and many more… As far as examples of their work- cream of the crop! The sites are organized, contain every feature you would need and want, and they have a clean, professional, timeless look. Ekklesia 360 works with various design firms to make sure that your site provides an accurate representation of your ministry.

Features
•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates or Predesigns
•    Self-Design Option
•    Own/Manage Designs on Ongoing basis
•    Unlimited Pages
•    Web Standards
•    SEO Friendly URLs
•    Google Analytics Integration
•    Sermon Module
•    Page/Navigation Flexibility
•    Events
•    Location Manager (Meta tags)
•    Member Manager
•    Member Site Integration
•    Articles
•    Book Lists and Affiliate Code
•    Multiple Blogs
•    Syndication
•    Worship/Song Module
•    Custom Development
•    Photo Galleries
•    Flash Integration
•    Twitter Integration
•    Ecommerce
•    Product Manager
•    Donate Manager
•    Discussion Forum
•    Newsletter Module
•    Custom-form Creator
•    Multi-campus Support
•    Importing Capability
•    Web-based
•    Unlimited Admins
•    Permission-based Access Control
•    Tech Support

SCORE:35/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Digital Sanctuary Article

Elexio

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:04:28 +0000

Elexio offers a wide variety of options for templates and layouts from Dynamic Canvas®, which includes adaptable templates to fully customizable designs. Their CMS products allow multiple content pieces to be edited at the same time, inline page editing and unlimited administrators. Though their pricing packages are limited, Elexio offers many valuable features like member management and site integration, ecommerce, flash integration, discussion forums and custom-form creator. They also offer a multimedia center, which enables searches for date, series, speaker and topic, to access sermons, podcasts and music. Their custom designs are vibrant, interactive and cutting-edge and provide easy, organized access to all you ministry needs.

Features:
•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates or Predesigns
•    Self-Design Option
•    Unlimited Page Template Control (with Premium)
•    Sermon Module
•    Page/Navigation Flexibility
•    Events
•    Member Manager
•    Member Site Integration
•    Articles
•    Book List – Online, Custom Bookstore
•    Multiple Blogs
•    Syndication
•    Worship/Song Module
•    Custom Development
•    Photo Galleries
•    Flash Integration
•    Ecommerce
•    Product Manager
•    Donate Manager
•    Discussion Forums
•    Custom-form Creator
•    Multi-campus Support
•    Unlimited Administrators
•    Tech Support

Score:25/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more

Christian Computing Magazine Article (pdf)

E-zekiel

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:04:14 +0000

E-zekiel offers three different packages from $12-64 a month, with an initial set up fee of $18. With a low price, you are getting a small amount of features, which include templates, sermon modules, event calendar, newsletter and online giving. The template designs are more conservative than their competitors, but not uninviting. They also have E-zekiel.tv, a pseudo-Youtube, to house and upload audio and video. As far as tech support goes, E-zekiel provides many opportunities for troubleshooting and instruction, but for a fee.

Features:
•    Templates or Predesigns
•    Unlimited Page Template Control
•    Sermon Module
•    Events
•    Photo Galleries
•    Newsletter
•    Donation Manager
•    Web-based
•    Permission-based Access Control
•    Tech Support

SCORE: 9/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

E-zekiel 2006 Award Winner

United Methodist Communications

faithHighway

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:04:00 +0000

FaithHighway furnishes a wide-range of products and services in web solutions, marketing options and church plant packages. They have standard templates, which can be customized through their design team and custom designs. As far as add-ons go, faithHighway provides a few key components for church ministry such as, a media center for sermons, events calendar, picture galleries, ecommerce and donate manager, and custom-form creation. The custom sites are rich in media and graphics, with very eye-catching, modern design and layout elements. If you are looking for a company to work with beyond web as well, this might be a good choice.

Features:
•    Flexible Design Capability
•    Templates or Predesigns
•    Self-Design Option
•    Own/Manage Designs on Ongoing Basis
•    SEO Friendly URLs
•    Sermon Module
•    Page/Navigation Flexibility
•    Events and Registration
•    Multiple Blogs
•    Custom Development
•    Galleries
•    Flash Integration
•    Ecommerce
•    Product Manager
•    Donate Manager
•    Custom-form Creator
•    Multi-campus Support
•    Web-based
•    Unlimited Administrators
•    Permission-based Access
•    Tech Support
SCORE:21/37

Click the images and links below to see examples and learn more.

Tony Morgan Live Welcome to Faithhighway

Faithhighway on Sermon Connect

Faithhighway Q/A on Rhett Smith Blog