Planning Center and Your Website: What Should Connect?
Decide which events, groups, giving and forms belong on the public site and how they hand people into Planning Center.
Planning Center can manage parts of church life while the public website explains the church to people who have not yet joined. The most useful integration starts by deciding what each space is for.
Keep the public journey clear
A newcomer should find service details, events and groups without needing an account. The website can introduce an opportunity and send them to an appropriate Planning Center or Church Center action. Make the change of destination clear so it does not feel like a broken link.
Choose the right depth of connection
A simple link is often enough for giving or registration. An embed can keep a form or event on the site. A deeper integration may reduce duplicate entry, but it needs maintenance and clear ownership. Test each option on mobile and check that dates, availability and confirmation messages stay accurate.
Decide which system owns the data
If an event is edited in Planning Center, avoid maintaining a conflicting copy elsewhere. Record where contact details are collected, who can access them and what happens after submission. Do not publish private group or member information simply because an integration can expose it.
Test the full handover
Start on the public page as a first-time visitor. Complete the action, check the confirmation and see whether the right team receives the information. Repeat the test when an event changes or a volunteer responsible for it leaves.
An effective website does not need to duplicate Planning Center. It gives people context and then connects them to a reliable next step. Check the current integration options and product settings before committing to a build.