The following are services that congregations have used to enhance and extend the capability of their websites. Please note that the Union does not endorse any of the following services. They are listed for informational purposes.
Email
Email: Google Apps Education Edition Free service to host your temple's email and use your domain (like webmaster@templebethel.org, president@templebethel.org)
Search
Search: Google Custom Search Engine Enhances
your current site search by allowing you to embed your search results
inside your site and view statistics of what your visitors are
searching for.
Read More.
Photos: Kizoa.com Make photo slideshows with custom effects and transitions, while giving users the ability to thumb through images themselves. Read more.
Favicons: favicon.cc A tool for creating favorite's icons, also known as favicons. If you're using RJ Web Builder, send us the favicon after you create it, and we'll add it to your website.
Forms
Forms: Wufoo Helps you create contact forms, online surveys, and invitations so you can collect the data, registrations and online payments you need without writing a single line of code. You can sign up for a Non-profit discount by using this form. Read more.
Google Analytics Google Analytics is a free service from Google that allows you to view
hundreds of statistics on your site’s web traffic. Available stats
include how many people have visited your site, how long they were there
for, how they found your site, and where they are from. After setting
up Analytics, Google will send you a weekly report with this information
and much more.
To sign up, you need to have a Google account. The
steps to getting started can be viewed here (requires Google account to access). If you are using RJ Web Builder, after you
have signed up for Google Analytics, send us the code they provide, and we'll embed it in your site. Once the code has been
verified by Google, data tracking should begin within 24 hours.
E-Commerce: Google Checkout Google allows you to receive payments online. They charge 2.2% + $.30 for every donation if annual totals are less than $100,000, and a slightly higher rate if annual donations are less than $10,000. If donations exceed $100,000 per year, then per-donation rates are lower than 2.2%. Two days after a payment is received, the money is directly deposited into the account of your choice.
Also, Google has a program called Google Grants. According to their website, religious organizations do not qualify; however, it may be worth your time to apply, as they have been known to make exceptions to their rules. Accepted organizations get to keep 100% of donation proceeds.
E-Commerce: Paypal You can also receive payments online with Paypal. Paypal charges 2.2% + $.30 for every donation if annual totals are less than $100,000, but there are no additional fees if donations do not exceed $10,000. Unlike Google, with Paypal payments sit in your account, and can be transferred to a bank account any time, free of charge. You may also make purchases using your Paypal account.
E-Commerce: Network for Good While this service takes a slightly larger cut of donations than Google Checkout and Paypal, and charges a monthly fee, it enables you to fully customize your donations page.
Multimedia: 