What Do I Need to Use Web Ministry Tools?

• An Existing Website

You must have an existing website to use Web Ministry Tools. It doesn’t matter if you use a web-development program like Microsoft Frontpage or DreamWeaver, hand-code your website, hire a developer to build your site, or use a template-based website builder. If you or your website developer can add a simple snippet of HTML, CDM+ Web Ministry Tools works with your website. Please note that we do not currently offer website creation or management.

• The CDM+ Program Underlying the Web Ministry Tool You Plan to Use

Web Ministry Tools is a web-based companion service to CDM+. Since the information that Web Ministry Tools makes available on your website comes from what you have already entered in CDM+, it follows that you must own the CDM+ program that underlies an individual Web Ministry tool before you can use that tool. Go to the Web Ministry Tools main page and click on "Catalog of Tools" for a document that lists the CDM+ program that is necessary for each available Web Ministry Tool.

• Your Database Accessible to the Internet

Not only is the CDM+ Data Hosting service the easiest way to make your database accessible over the Internet, but CDM+ Web Ministry Tools subscriptions are discounted for users enrolled in Data Hosting. However, Web Ministry Tools are available to all users with remote database access, whether or not we host the data. Note, however, if you are not enrolled in the CDM+ Data Hosting Service, you must allow CDM+/Suran Systems to have direct access to your data via an IP or URL address. Data access cannot be through a VPN or similar mechanism. Learn more about remote data access, including our Data Hosting service.

• A Merchant Account (if you plan to accept online payments)

The Giving Tool is the only current tool requiring a Merchant Account. The Single Event Registration tool only requires such an account if you plan to accept online payments for events.

For credit/debit card and ACH withdrawal processing with Web Ministry Tools, CDM+/Suran Systems partners with a processing company that exclusively serves churches and non-profit organizations, resulting in lower monthly and per transaction fees than many other Merchant Account providers. If you are using the Giving Tool or accepting online payments with the Single Event Registration Tool, the one-time setup and monthly merchant account fees are auto drawn from a bank account (usually the same account you designate for settlement of transactions through the merchant account, but you may provide a different bank account if you wish). For more detailed information about accepting online payments through CDM+ Web Ministry Tools, please contact our Sales Department.