The Basics of System Management
Your Administration Area should have complete ability to edit, add and remove any part of any system at any time. This management area should also have the ability to instantly update your online donation system without having to rely on a third party to make changes. You should have complete control.
Instant Management
Your control panel or administration area should give you the ability to manage your own system on your own terms. Waiting for a provider to implement changes you are ready to make instantly is a drain on productivity.
Reporting
Reporting options are key to your administrative ability to use the information collected. Detailed reports showing exactly what was donated and how the donation is to be used is a must for any donation system. Make sure your software for online donations can manage, report on and export data in ways useful to your organization.
Event Specific Reporting
Your Administration Area should include detailed reports and accurate counts of registrations for each event or package. Data should be searchable and downloadable with all the information contained in the search results.
Make sure your event system has downloadable and printable will-call lists so you can easily perform mail-merges to create nametags and have the will-call list at the door to check off attendees as they arrive.
Accounting
Since an online donation system involves the flow of funds to and from financial accounts it's essential to be able to merge this data with your organization's traditional accounting system. This process should be as simple as the following steps:
1. Query your online donation system with a time range and for the depth of information you desire. 2. Download the search results to your computer in a compatible format. 3. Open your accounting or bookkeeping software and import the downloaded data file.