Looking for a group SMS/texting solution? There are several solutions available. Here are just a few worth consideration:
1. Tatango: Accessible via both web and your mobile device.
- Key Features: Pay as you go, contact import, multiple admins, groups.
- Pricing: Monthly plans vary from $20/400 msgs to $200/5000 msgs (pricing details)
2. TextHub: Facilitates 2-way interaction using smart logic, keywords, and polls.
- Key Features: contact import, personalized/scheduled messaging, groups, and more.
- Pricing: Monthly plans vary from $100-500 depending on features (pricing details)
3. TxtSignal: Simple to use Web based tool for 1 to many and 1 to 1 text messaging.
- Key Features: no contracts, groups, multiple users.
- Pricing: Costs based # of contacts and # of group messages (rather than # of messages). Monthly plans range from $10-$40. (pricing details)
4. SimplyTXT (SimplyYouthMinistry.com): This appears to be a rebranded version of TxtSignal promoted by Doug Field with Saddleback Church. There is a relationship between the two, but it is unclear. Nevertheless the features are the same, but the pricing appears the same too. If anyone has more details, please comment below.
5. Jarbyco: More than just group messaging, this provider does quizzes, polls, and voting as well. Clients include Granger Community Church, Willowcreek, and others.
- Key Features: groups, quizzes, polls, voting, moderated text to screen (seems feature rich, but site gives little details).
- Pricing: Not posted. Requires engagement with their sales team.
6. MemberHub: MemberHub is more than a mere text messaging tool. It is more suited for creating online groups/communities of which text messaging is one of several features. Though they avoid being characterized as a social network tool, they share many of the same characteristics.
- Key Features: calendar, file sharing, discussions, group communications (email/txt).
- Pricing: $12-100 depending on number of “hubs”. (pricing details)
7. JabberText: If you need a simple bulk text messaging solution with no bells and whistles, then JabberText may work well for you.
- Key Features: schedule sending, contact upload/import, unlimited groups/contacts.
- Pricing: No contracts, setup fees,etc. - just cost per message (pricing details)
8. TextChurch: No bells or whistles here…at least from what can be learned from their website. It does not provide screenshots of their application or a feature list, but they do offer a free trial.
- Key Features: send via phone or website, easy opt-in/opt-out; groups, keywords.
- Pricing: Begins @ $24.95 per month for 350 ad-free text messages.
When talking with any provider, be sure to ask for any religious or non-profit discounts.
UPDATES:
12/03/09: Added ChurchText.com
A few months ago, I reported to our Executive team the impact of the recently redesigned second.org. Since its launch in late March, our number of page views have doubled…reaching as much as 2.2 million in a single month. Today, we have 3,261 registered users, 1,000+ of which registered within the first week of launch. Every month, our registered users send an average of 75,000+ emails to their respective community groups…coordinating group activities, announcements, prayer and care. We have been very pleased with the results.
Special thanks to our technology partners who help make this happen: Origin Design (for initial design, images, html, flash, and CSS) and RoundedCube for our CMS implementation, Google Mini search, and custom development. Last but not least….BIG thanks to our own in-house dev team. Great job gang!
Here is a short video produced by Origin that give a quick overview the new second.org:
Unfortunately, the video does not highlight the online community groups.
Watch and Listen LIVE to the Church IT Roundtable. Today’s gathering is at Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX. Scott Miller with Watermark Church is facilitating.
Today’s Schedule:
8:30 AM – Discussion
11:00 AM – Virtualization Presentation by Veeam
11:30 AM – Lunch and Q&A
12:30 PM – Discussions
