Transitioning from the Portal
Information to help you transition from the portal to widgets, including FAQs and our suggested approach for a successful transition.
Widgets are available!
This exciting application is being released in phases and will eventually replace the portal. Until then, you can use widgets in tandem with the portal. For all the reasons to start using widgets today, see Why Widgets?. We will continue to add new widgets in future updates, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements on what's next!
Want a quick way to add the most common widgets to your website? We offer a microsite for each congregation or parish as a simpler, plug-and-play alternative to widgets. For more information, check out Microsite: Widgets Made Easy.
Portal End of Life
Do I have to stop using the old portal? Yes!
Widgets will not break the portal. Widgets and portal pages can run together without issue. But we continue to launch new widgets and strongly encourage you to start making the transition. Eventually, the portal will no longer be supported and your system's portal URL will be disabled. Both dates are TBD but will be communicated early and often.
We strongly recommend making the switch sooner than later to take advantage of the countless enhancements of widgets.
How are widgets different than the portal?
Widgets are all about your website, your way.
Widgets live on your website. You can place them where you like and use them multiple times, configuring each one differently. For example, one Group Finder widget on the Women's Ministry page that helps people find women's ministry groups and another Group Finder widget on the Men's Ministry page that helps people find men's ministry groups.
For the full rundown on all the reasons to start using widgets today, see Why Widgets?
What do I need to do to start using widgets?
To configure widgets on your website, complete the shared configuration (script and permitted URLs) and the configuration for each specific widget (code snippet and attributes).
Transition from the Portal
Our suggested approach for a smooth and successful transition from the portal to widgets.
When planning your transition to widgets, there will not be an Online Giving widget or Missions Trip Giving widget, mainly because we have so many amazing online giving vendors that seamlessly integrate with MinistryPlatform. However, there are widgets for My Giving, My Contributions, and Invoice Detail and Payment, which use partnerships with our online giving vendors.
There will not be an Impersonate User widget. Contact your giving vendor to discuss options to manage recurring donations on behalf of donors.
Phase 1
Phase 2
- Add the code snippet for the Login and Language & Locale widgets.
- Test, test, test!
- Determine if you want to add any other widgets before promoting to your community.
Phase 3
- Update any links in your portal skin and website to direct to the widget.
- To catch any lingering links, you can set up portal redirects (one global or one for each portal page).
- Promote the widgets to your community!
Phase 4
- Evaluate what went well and what you want to do differently the next round.
- Rinse and repeat the previous phases with the next widget!
Phase 5
- Rinse and repeat the previous phases with additional widgets.
- Say goodbye to the portal!