12 Questions You Should Ask About Membership Management Software for Your Jewish Community Center

If you manage a Jewish Community Center, you know how important it is to have an effective membership management system. The software you choose can significantly affect how well your center runs and how satisfied your members are. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. To help narrow down your choices, here are 12 key questions to ask about any membership management software before making a purchase.

Table of Contents

• How easy is the software to use?
• Is the software customizable?
• How much does the software cost?
• Does the software integrate with other systems?
• Does the software come with a native website and mobile app? 
• What features does the software offer?
• What kind of training and support does the company offer?
• Is the software regularly updated?
• How secure is the data stored in the software?
• Is it scalable?
• What are other customers saying about the software?
• Is there a money-back guarantee?

1. How easy is the software to use? 

When looking for a new membership management software for your JCC, it is essential to find one that is highly intuitive and user-friendly. You want your team to be excited about using the software and be able to figure it out quickly and easily. Make sure to understand what training the company will provide throughout the implementation process and how they will train new employees. It is also important to ensure self-serve training options, such as tutorial videos, online training modules, and learning management software.

2. Is the software customizable? 

It can be a challenge to manage your JCC memberships effectively. That's why it's crucial to have membership management software that is flexible and able to adapt to your specific center's needs. The right software will make tracking membership data, managing finances, handling registration and payment processing, creating reports, and promoting events easy. In addition, the software should be user-friendly and easy to navigate. With the right membership management software, you can be confident that your center is running smoothly and efficiently.  

3. How much does the software cost? 

Of course, the cost is always a factor when choosing any software for your business. Be sure to get a pricing quote from the software provider before making a final decision. 

4. Does the software integrate with other systems? 

If you have other software programs that your center uses, they all must play well together. For example, if your community center uses A door access control system, you will want to make sure it is compatible and integrates with your membership management software. Find out how Stamford JCC uses OpenPath with Freedom Software™ to allow their staff to check in members, track traffic patterns, and send custom reports.

5. Does the software come with a native website and mobile app? 

Since your website is a key marketing tool for your membership-based organization, it is paramount that the website and mobile app software integrates with the membership software. If you're wondering why this is the case, using a third-party software product for website development and integration can result in significant problems. 

1. Data integration becomes an issue when either software program is upgraded, resulting in data not being properly shared or not even shared at all. 
2. If the website and membership software companies are separate entities, getting the two programs to work together can be difficult. 
3. Integration of the website software often requires customization, which can be expensive and time-consuming. 
4. Third-party websites and mobile app software can produce data silos, fragmenting data between the website and membership databases. 

For all these reasons, it's essential to use website software built into your membership software.

6. What features does the software offer? 

This is an important question because you want to ensure that the membership management software you choose has all the features you need to run your JCC effectively. Some features to look for include: online registration, member portals, event management, payment processing, and automatic renewals. 

7. What kind of training and support does the company offer? 

If you run into problems, you'll want to know that there is someone you can contact for help. Customer service is vital for any software, especially membership management software. You want to make sure that someone is available to help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Be sure to find out what customer service offerings are available before making your final decision.

8. Is the software regularly updated? 

JCCs need meaningful ways to improve membership retention and grow their base. One way to do this is to ensure that the JCC has up-to-date software. Technology changes rapidly, and membership management software is no exception. Regular updates ensure that the JCC has the latest features and functionality to offer its members. In addition, updates can help to fix bugs and improve security. For these reasons, it is important to choose membership management software that is regularly updated. By doing so, the JCC can provide their staff and members with the best possible experience.

9. How secure is the data stored in the software? 

Security should be a top priority, with sensitive member information stored in the system. You want to ensure the gym membership software you choose uses several security measures to protect data, including encryption and password protection. There should also be administrative controls that help to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the system.

10. Is it scalable? 

As your JCC grows, you'll want a membership management system that can scale along with your growth. Otherwise, you'll have to switch systems down the road, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

11. What are other customers saying about the software? 

Before you make a decision, it’s best to check out the company’s portfolio and social proof to see other customers’ experiences. Reading reviews can give you a better sense of the pros and cons of different software options and help you make an informed decision.

12. Is there a money-back guarantee? 

You wouldn't purchase a car without taking it for a test drive, and you shouldn't feel like you're betting your future on a product that you've only viewed a couple of times in the context of a salesperson's demo.

When speaking with your potential new membership software and website/mobile app provider, confirm that they have a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. Your new software provider should be willing to mitigate your risk and, instead, take on the risk by offering a money-back guarantee. That way, if the software neither meets nor exceeds your expectations, you can return it at no charge. Reviewing the company's refund policy should be part of your due diligence before signing any contract.

Make sure you're comfortable with the refund policy terms and understand the process for returning the software if needed. As with any contract, read the fine print, so there are no surprises down the road. And the leap confidently, knowing you can return the software if needed - no questions asked.

By taking the time to answer these 12 questions, you can choose the right membership management system to help run your Jewish Community Center smoothly and efficiently.

Ready to upgrade your JCC’s website and membership management software?

We understand the unique challenges that JCCs face. We also know that you have a lot to offer your community. That's why we've developed a software solution to help you unify your team and better serve your members and staff. 

Freedom Software™ is a total software solution that includes everything you need to run your JCC more efficiently. With our easy-to-use interface, you can keep track of your member database, utilize a dynamic and custom-built website, manage programs and events, process payments, send regular email campaigns, and so much more. We also offer a wide range of customization options so that you can tailor the software to meet your specific needs. And because we're committed to providing the best possible service, our team is always available to answer any questions you may have. So if you're looking for a software solution to help you better serve your community, we invite you to try Freedom Software.

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