Shepherding Connections vs Textiful

Shepherding Connections is a messaging tool for following up with visitors and others outside a church’s rolls. It supports SMS announcements, two-way texting, automated welcome sequences, call forwarding, and keyword responses. Public connect pages collect visitor details and can trigger follow-up, and digital visitor welcome cards are also described. Automations can send texts or email, create tasks, assign team members, branch on replies, and repeat on a cadence. Contacts can be grouped into segments, while links in messages can be shortened and tracked. The product requires recorded consent for announcements and automated messages and handles STOP, START, and HELP keywords. Phone numbers and texting are not included in the free plan; paid Tracker plans enable them. Messaging is limited to United States and Canada numbers. Connections is labeled Beta, and delivery confirmation is unavailable: a sent status means the carrier accepted a message, not that it reached a handset. The free plan allows up to five accounts. Paid plans start at $29 a month for Small Church, which includes SMS messaging.

Textiful collects email addresses and other audience information through SMS keyword campaigns, then can sync the data to email marketing platforms. Organizations assign a keyword to a phone number, set campaign messages and prompts, and gather responses by text. For churches and ministries, described uses include collecting information from first-time worshipers, sharing scripture and prayer requests, sending reading and event reminders, sharing donation links, and coordinating staff and volunteers.

Messaging options include bulk SMS broadcasts, MMS image texts, Text to Vote polls, and timed drip campaigns. Broadcasts can be sent immediately or scheduled, and collected data can be exported at any time. Listed integrations include Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce, and other email services; Zapier connects Textiful to 1,000+ applications. Its phone numbers are compatible with carriers in the United States and Canada. The web-based service has a free On Demand plan with one keyword on a 10-digit number and credits bought as needed. Paid plans start at $19/mo; Essential includes up to 150 captured emails and 350 outgoing text messages monthly.