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QUESTION:
My church is looking at ways to add online giving to our website and aren’t sure how to do it. Have you found any websites or companies that help with this? I’m pretty sure it could probably be done through PayPal but thought I’d try to see if you have any insight first?
- Nate :: LaPorte, IN 

ANSWER:
Online giving can be done using PayPal, but there are also a few other options to consider. The right choice for your church depends on your budget and technical capabilities. The following are four online giving options labeled by integration cost and the level of technical ability needed to implement the option.

1. PayPal (low cost/low tech)
   Implementing PayPal is as easy as adding a button to your church’s website. PayPal does charge a small flat fee per transaction, and customization is very limited.
2. Secure Giving Form (low cost/low tech)
   A secure web form captures the donor’s information and giving amount and securely emails this information to a church administrator, who may then process the credit card information manually. A current example is Northstar Church (Frisco, TX).
3. Service Providers (high cost/low tech)
   Online donation service providers like Fellowship One allow you to create a “donate” link on your church’s website that will take visitors to a donation engine that collects and processes the credit card information. Usually these engines allow you to add custom graphics so that it appears to donors as though they are still on your website. The service provider takes care of all the behind-the-scenes work including processing credit card information and depositing money directly into your church’s bank account.
4. Payment Gateway (high cost/high tech)
   Although this is the most expensive and labor intensive option, it also offers the most customization and control. You need a payment gateway, such as Authorize.net, that sends data and processes credit cards. The Advanced Integration Method offers more options to meet your needs. A current example is Church on the Move (Tulsa, OK).

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