By leveraging the Connect widgets feature in Text In Church, you can create a dynamic landing page that serves as a central hub for sign-up forms, activities, and important information in your church. Utilize the customization options to align the landing page with your branding and optimize the experience.
This feature unlocks new possibilities for engaging your congregation and streamlining communication and sign-up processes. This tutorial will guide you through the process, providing step-by-step instructions and tips to help you leverage this feature effectively.
Step 1: Accessing Connect Widgets
To begin, navigate to the main menu in Text In Church and click on "Cards." From there, select "Connect widgets." Connect widgets are primarily designed for your website, but they can also be used as landing pages.
Step 2: Creating a New Widget
Click on "Create a new widget" to start building your landing page. Determine the purpose of your landing page, for example, providing a one-stop place for people to sign up for various activities or programs in your church.
Step 3: Setting up the Landing Page
Give your landing page a relevant name, such as "Next Steps." Use a compelling headline that describes the purpose of the landing page, like "Next Steps: Get Connected."
Step 4: Adding Cards
Add any relevant Connect Cards that you want to include on your landing page. For example, if you have different sign-up forms or activities available, select the corresponding cards. Simply click on the "+" button and choose the appropriate cards from the list.
Step 5: Customizing the Landing Page
By default, Text In Church provides a basic landing page. However, you can customize it to make it more visually appealing and align it with your branding. Click on "Landing page" and then "Edit this card" for each card on the landing page.
For each card, provide a descriptive name that clearly indicates the purpose of the form or activity. You can also add relevant images to make the landing page more engaging. To add an image, click on "Add photo" or "Add media" for the respective card and upload the desired image.
Step 6: Saving and Reviewing
After customizing each card, save your changes. Take a moment to review the landing page to ensure the text and images align with your intentions. You can make additional adjustments as needed.
Once you've completed the setup, the landing page is ready for use. Click on "Save" and then click on the provided link to access the landing page. This link can be shared with your audience to direct them to the sign-up forms or activities on the landing page.
Additional Tips:
- Experiment with different card layouts and content to optimize the user experience on your landing page.
- Consider setting up a domain or subdomain dedicated to your landing page, making it easier for people to access the form directly (e.g., nextsteps.citychurch.com).
- Place the landing page on an iPad at your welcome center to provide a convenient way for visitors to explore and sign up for various activities.
- Don't limit yourself to using only Connect cards. You can also incorporate simple link cards that redirect users to other websites or external resources, such as your giving page.
