When was the last time you considered the check-in process for your church? Depending on the size of your church, you may have some or all of the following people checking in on a Sunday morning:
With so many people involved in the check-in process, it's essential to have a reliable and efficient system in place. This is where check-in software comes into play.
Church check-in software is designed to streamline the check-in process, making it easier for both church staff and attendees. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right check-in software for your church? In this guide, we'll break down the key factors you should consider before making a decision.
Before you can make an informed choice, you need to have a thorough understanding of what your church needs. On the one hand, you want to choose a church check-in software that meets all your needs and is easy to use. On the other hand, you don't want to invest in features that you'll never use.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Take a look at your current check-in process and identify any pain points or inefficiencies. Do you have long lines during check-in? Are parents having trouble checking in their children? Do volunteers struggle to find the right information?
A good church check-in software should address these issues and make the check-in process smoother for everyone involved.
The size and structure of your church will play a significant role in determining the type of check-in software that works best for your church. If you have a smaller congregation, you may only need basic check-in features.
However, if your church has multiple campuses or a large number of attendees, you may require more advanced features. You’ll need features like multi-campus check-in or the ability to track attendance and generate reports.
The more ministries your church offers, the more people will need to check-in. On any given Sunday, you may have individuals with special needs, children, students, volunteers, and more. It's essential to choose a check-in software that can handle the unique needs of each ministry and provide customizable options.
The safety and security of children is always a top priority. When choosing a check-in software, it's crucial to consider the security features it offers. Look for software that allows you to print name tags, has an easy check-out process, and offers features like photo identification or a security code for picking up children.
Like any software, check-in solutions come at a cost. It's important to evaluate your budget and determine what features are essential for your church before investing in a check-in system. Some software may offer a basic package that meets your needs at a lower cost, while others have more advanced features at a higher price point.
For example, do you need to note allergies when a child checks in? Or, do you require the ability to send text alerts to parents during service? These are all additional features that may come at an added cost.
Many churches use other software systems, such as church management software or online giving platforms. It's crucial to ensure that your check-in system can integrate with these existing systems for seamless data transfer and updates.
The last thing you want is confusion and long lines during check-in time. Choose a software that is user-friendly and easy for both volunteers and families to use. Additionally, consider the availability of customer support in case of any technical difficulties or questions.
Now that you know some of the key factors to consider before investing in church check-in software, let's talk about some of the essential features you should look for.
Some of these features are more advanced than others, and your church may not require all of them. As you go through this list, make note of the features your church would benefit from.
First and foremost, the church check-in software you choose should offer a seamless check-in and check-out process. This feature should be easy to use for both families and volunteers, with clear instructions and prompts.
The more complicated your check-in process is, the less people will want to use it. Visitors may be turned off and seek out a church with better processes in place.
Some check-in systems allow you to create custom registration forms for events or classes. This can be extremely helpful when organizing and tracking attendance for different programs within the church.
If you can't create custom forms, you're forced to use the pre-made templates provided by the check-in platform. This, in turn, can limit the data you collect and make it difficult to track participation in specific programs.
A church check-in software should have contact management capabilities, allowing you to store and update family and individual contact information easily. Contact management is crucial for keeping records up-to-date and ensuring efficient communication with families.
If you use Church Management Software (ChMS), you want to ensure the two systems integrate seamlessly. In other words, the check-in software should easily pass data onto the ChMS.
Many church check-in software programs offer the ability to print name tags and labels for children and volunteers. This helps keep track of who is checked into the program or event and can be useful in case of an emergency.
Your church check-in software should offer robust reporting and analytics features. This helps you track attendance and other data related to your church programs and events. This information can also be valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of your programs and making improvements.
The bigger your church gets, the more important this feature becomes. With a small church, you may be able to work off estimates. You can't really function this way with a larger church. You need concrete data to make informed decisions.
Some check-in platforms offer self-service kiosks, allowing families to check in on their own without the help of a volunteer. This can save time and reduce lines during busy times, such as before church services or events.
Self-service kiosks also help visitors who may not be familiar with your check-in process. They can easily follow the prompts on the screen and print out their own name tags.
For larger events or programs, consider using a check-in software that offers online pre-registration. This allows families to register themselves and their children ahead of time, making the check-in process faster and more efficient.
Additionally, pre-registration can help with planning and organizing your event or program. You can have an accurate headcount and necessary information beforehand, making it easier to prepare materials and volunteers.
We touched on this already but it's so important that it's worth repeating. Child security is a top priority for any church, and your check-in software should reflect that.
Look for features like secure check-in codes, emergency contact information, and the ability to print out matching identification tags for parents and children. These measures not only provide peace of mind for parents but also help ensure the safety of all children in your care.
The more programs your church offers, the more important it becomes to have a system that allows you to schedule volunteers. Look for a check-in software that offers this feature, allowing you to assign specific volunteers to different programs or tasks.
This ensures all areas are adequately staffed and helps with volunteer communication and accountability. Volunteers can easily see their schedules and any changes, reducing confusion and missed shifts.
We've touched on this already but we need to discuss this in a bit more depth. Your check-in platform should integrate with tools you already use, such as your ChMS or Google Calendar. More integrations mean less manual data entry and fewer chances for error.
If you want a church check-in platform that checks all of the above boxes, Breeze is the ideal choice. Features include:
And here's the kicker. Breeze is a full-fledged Church Management Software. It's more than just a check-in platform. It also has features for managing donations, tracking finances, communicating with members, and much more.
Not only will Breeze help you streamline your check-in process, but it can also help manage many other aspects of your church. And, its simple and intuitive design makes it easy to use for both staff and volunteers.
Selecting a church check-in software can seem like a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. First, determine the needs of your church. Not difficult, right? Next, evaluate various check-in platforms, identifying the ones that have all the features you need. Finally, select one that's within your budget and implement it in your church.
And here's the good news about that last point. Transferring data into a new platform can be a hassle. However, Breeze will do it for you, ensuring that there is a smooth transition between platforms.
So don't stress about choosing the right church check-in software. With Breeze, you can have peace of mind knowing that your check-in process is secure, efficient, and integrated with other aspects of your church management.
We'd love to show you what we built!