E-commerce Solutions

If only it was as simple as having a web store that checked out with a secure SSL certificate and a merchant account. No, we have much more to think about when choosing a solution.

1) Where is inventory and pricing managed? In-house database with Web Store tie in? What drives a product to display on the web? Where are images and product descriptions housed?
2) Does it sell virtual products too? Can MP3s, Video files, PDFs be delivered? From what server?
3) Can I pre-sell? Can I offer free products? Gifts?
4) Where does my Web shipping chart come from? Is it dynamically driven or from a static chart?
5) Do I have language or currency options? Can I prevent visitors from shopping in the store I don't want them in?
6) What value added or best practice options are available? Shopping cart abandonment reports? product survey feedback? Customer rating and testimonials?
7) How does an order get from the web to my fulfillment center?
8) What type of reporting do I get?

If anyone has any feedback to a good e-commerce solution or have feedback on a solution your organization is currently using, please comment.

E-mail Solutions

With many factors in the equation, it can be difficult to land on a perfect email solution. Some factors include:

1) Does 3rd party solution tie in with your IT department and DNS?
2) Does solution tie in with inhouse & offline databases?
3) Can you run queries within 3rd party software or offline and import?
4) Is there robust reporting on top of open rates and clicks? Purchase & donation details?
5) Opt-out solutions?
6) Does it manage duplicates well?
7) Does e-mail collection points tie in with website and application?

If anyone has suggestions of a good application or comments on a current application they use, please let us know.

Streaming Audio Video

Many web solutions and servers do not account for the bandwidth and space needed to stream audio and video content on our websites. Some Oneplace.com parters have access to streaming space via "Akamai." This is great to lower bandwidth charges but most likely does not tie in with in-house databases and workflows.

Also, it most likely is a matter of ministry philosophy but how many ministries do not offer extensive archives online just based on bandwidth and server space alone?

Here at IFL, we battle MP3s distribution via a broadcast and a retail version of our sermons. We have added Podcast and international English versions as well.

Add your two cents to the mix...

Software vendors & consultants

Web Based:
Convio
Blue State Digital
Democracy In Action (non profit)

Customer Relationship Management System:
Mpower: MPX
Kintera

Fundraising Software:
Blackbaud

Marketing/Web/Strategy:
Cool Strategies - Consultant : Buddy Williams
TriNet - Web Development: Ron Webber
Net Ministries - Web Management Platform

List of Media Ministries

Radio:
Bible Answer Man - Hank Hanegraaff
Dr. W.A. Criswell Sermons
Family Life Today - Dennis Rainey
Focus on the Family - James Dobson
For Faith and Family - Richard Land
Grace to you - John MacArthur
Hope for the Heart - June Hunt
Insight for Living - Chuck Swindoll
Living on the Edge - Chip Ingram
Love Worth Finding - Dr. Adrian Rogers
Leading the Way - Dr. Micheal Youssef
Precepts for Life - Kay Arthur
PowerPoint - Dr. Jack Graham
Renewing Your Mind - Dr R.C. Sproul
Revive Our hearts - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Running to Win - Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer
The Hour of Decision - Billy Graham
Through the Bible - J Vernon McGee
Truth for Life - Alistair Begg
The Alternative - Tony Evans
Walk in the Word - James MacDonald

Television:
Cornerstone - Dr. John Hagee
CrossTalk International - Dr. Randy Weiss
Ed Young Ministries - Ed Young
Enjoying Everyday Life - Joyce Meyer
Feed the Children - Larry Jones
The John Ankerberg Show - Dr. John F. Ankerberg
The Potter's Touch - Bishop T. D. Jakes

The Hour of Power - Dr. Robert H. Schuller

TV / Radio:
Back to the Bible - Dr. Kroll
This is Your Day - Pastor Benny Hinn
Harvest - Greg Laurie
In Touch - Charles Stanley
Joel Osteen
Touching Lives - Dr. James Merritt
Truths that Transform - Dr James Kennedy
Turning Point - Dr. David Jeremiah
Winning Walk - Dr Ed Young

Internet Only:
Desiring God - John Piper

Tech Conferences to Attend

NRB (National Religious Broadcasters)
Convio Summit
MPower Summit

Contacts (Join the Club)

I'll start:

Todd Turner
Director of Web Ministries
Resume: www.toddturner.com/resume.asp
cell 903 816 1010
email toddt at insight dot org

A place to network

I would like to propose that we utilize free interfaces to communicate online. I have created a quick linkedin.com account and a "Christians Media Technology Group."

My profile is:
Todd Turner @ linkedin

Once signed up on linkedin, please request to join this group.

Also, I created a Google group. Does anyone have a preference? Any experience with either interfaces?

http://groups.google.com/group/christian-media-techies