Feature Updates 09/22/2025

Feature Updates 09/22/2025

NEW Enhanced OnlineGiving.org Text Message Marketing – Smarter Bulk Messaging and Cost Insights

We are pleased to announce significant enhancements to the OnlineGiving.org Control Panel > Text Message Marketing tools. These improvements bring smarter cost estimation, expanded scheduling insights, advanced filtering, and clearer reporting into one streamlined experience. For administrators who just want the highlights: you can now instantly see the estimated cost of any text campaign before sending, filter and review messages by status or keyword, track message segments and formatting details, and view consolidated cost summaries across schedules. The system is smart enough to distinguish between SMS and MMS, factor in toll-free vs. shortcode vs. long-code numbers, and provide a safe, transparent cost estimate using Twilio base rates plus carrier fees. With these upgrades, your team can plan campaigns with confidence, prevent unexpected costs, and manage large-scale text outreach with greater precision.

Smarter Message Management & Overview Page

The Text Message Marketing Overview Page has been redesigned and upgraded with:

• New Statistics at the Top of the Page – Instantly see active schedules, pending messages, and sending status at a glance.

• Quick Filter Options – Narrow results by status, message keyword, title, phone number list, next message date, or last message date.

• Refreshed Layout with Key Message Stats – Each message now displays:

  • Message type (SMS or MMS)

  • Total recipients

  • Total segments

  • Total messages

  • Character count per message

  • Smart cost estimate per message

Smart Cost Estimation

• Cost is calculated based on the outbound phone number type (toll-free, shortcode, or long code).

• Estimates use Twilio base fees plus carrier per-message fees at the safe “highest rate” tier.

• A detailed cost breakdown is available with a single click.

Message Formatting & Length Checks

• Real-time character formatting feedback.

• Automatic segment detection.

• Warnings if a message is abnormally long, helping avoid unnecessary costs.

Cost Summary at Page Bottom

• A new Estimated Cost Summary consolidates costs across all displayed schedules, grouped by status.

• Supports up to 500 results per page for larger budgeting and reporting needs.

Enhanced Create & Edit Message Experience

When creating or editing a bulk text message, the experience is now more powerful and transparent:

• Instant Cost Breakdown – As soon as you type your message and select a phone number list, a cost estimate appears.

• Smart SMS vs MMS Detection – Uploading an image or video automatically switches to MMS cost calculation.

• Segment & Character Awareness – Estimates adapt based on message length and number of segments.

• Message Preview – Continue to see exactly how the message will appear on a recipient’s phone.

Why This Matters

These enhancements ensure church administrators and ministry leaders can:

• Budget more effectively by knowing estimated costs before sending.

• Prevent unexpected expenses by understanding how message type, length, and attachments affect billing.

• Easily filter, review, and track scheduled or completed campaigns.

• Gain clarity and confidence in managing communication outreach at scale.

Combined With Our Existing Tools

When paired with our Message Preview, Segment Detection, and Ministry AI Drafting Features, these new cost estimation and reporting capabilities transform the platform into a complete, powerful text marketing system that is transparent, predictable, and easy to use.