Online Registration and Promotion Tools

AnswersVBS includes powerful online registration and promotion tools that make it easy to collect information, manage sign-ups, and promote your event. These are among the most popular features in the digital toolkit.

1. Log into your VBS event at MyAnswers.com

2. Click the Promote section

3. View three main sections: Public Page, Student Registration, and Volunteer Registration

Don't be intimidated by the options—everything is designed to be user-friendly.

Every VBS event you create on MyAnswers.com includes a free public page to help promote your event.

Click Preview Public Page to see what visitors will see when they access your event through shared links, social media posts, or your website.

Your customizable event page includes:

Header Information:

• VBS theme branding

• Your church name

• Registration call-to-action button (if enabled)

Event Details:

• Custom description

• Dates and times

• Location information

Engaging Content:

• Theme trailer video (Incredible Race or your chosen theme)

• Volunteer sign-up option (if enabled)

• Interactive map to your church

• Links to your website and social media

• "Add to calendar" functionality

• Resource promotion for registrants

Mobile Responsive: All MyAnswers.com tools automatically adjust to any device—desktop, tablet, or smartphone—for optimal viewing.

Embed a countdown timer on your church website:

1. Access the promotion tools section

2. Copy the provided code

3. Give the code to your website manager

4. The countdown timer displays on your site

Additional promotion tools may be added in the future.

Click Edit Public Page to access a simple customization form.

Church Information:

• Church name (displayed in page title)

• Church address (for map generation)

Event Timing:

• Start date and time

• End date and end time

• Toggle to show/hide dates and times (defaults to visible)

Description:

• Fully customizable event description

• Text formatting options (bold, italic)

• List creation capability

• Default description provided based on your theme

Links and Connections:

• Link to your church website

• Link to church social media

• Cross-promotion opportunities

Map Configuration:

• Automatically generated based on church address

• Adjustable pin location if needed

• Zoom in/out for precision

• Drag the pin to correct location if mapping service is inaccurate

Video Options:

• VBS theme trailer included by default

• Toggle to hide trailer if desired

Resource Display (Pro Version Only):

• Show or hide all resources

• Select specific resources beneficial to your attendees

• Customize what potential registrants see

The registration system makes it easy to collect the information you need to plan your event and know who's coming.

Click the registration form button to view both:

• Student Registration: Family and student information fields

• Volunteer Registration: Worker information fields (optional)

If you don't need volunteer registration, simply ignore that section.

Free Version:

• Standard registration forms

• Fixed field configuration

Pro Version (included with Digital Kit add-on):

• Full form editing capabilities

• Add, delete, and reorder fields

• Create custom fields

• Extensive customization options

Understanding Required Fields:

Some fields cannot be edited or deleted. Click the information icon (i) to understand why:

• Liability reasons: Recommended for legal protection

• System functionality: Required for automated emails (e.g., email address)

• Data integrity: Necessary for proper information storage

Many fields are flexible and can be customized.

Click Add Form Field to create new fields:

Step 1: Choose Section

• Family section

• Student section

• Worker/volunteer section

Step 2: Select Field Type

Extensive options include:

• Header text (for organization)

• Short text box

• Long text box

• Date field (e.g., birthdate)

• Dropdown list

• Checkboxes

• And many more

Step 3: Configure Field

• Label: Field name (e.g., "Birthday")

• Help Text: Additional instructions or information

• Required: Toggle whether field must be completed

Internal-Only Fields:

For information only church volunteers should see:

• Create a field (e.g., "Notes")

• Check "Hide from public registration form"

• Use for storing internal observations about students

• Not visible to parents during registration

To change field order:

1. Click and hold the handle on the left side of any row

2. Drag to desired position

3. Changes save automatically

Age groups are handled differently from other fields due to their integration with the MyAnswers.com system.

To Edit Age Groups:

1. Click Edit Age Groups link on the form page

2. System navigates to Settings section

3. Define custom age groups

4. Name them as desired

5. Changes apply throughout the system

Age groups appear in both student and volunteer registration (for age level preference).

Volunteer registration includes customizable role options.

Customization Options:

• Add new volunteer roles

• Remove existing roles

• Rename roles

• Change role descriptions

Capacity Planning:

Set the number needed for each role:

• Define how many volunteers needed per role

• Form automatically updates when role is filled

• Volunteers can choose alternate roles if desired

• Helps manage volunteer recruitment

Edit Your Event URL:

Customize the web address that appears in the browser:

• Church organization identifier

• Event-specific URL

• Must be unique (system checks availability)

• Change if your first choice is taken

This is optional but some churches prefer a custom URL for branding.

Registration Toggle Switch:

• Starts in disabled position

• Turn on when registration form is ready

• Turn off to close registration

• Disabling removes all registration links from public page

What Visitors See:

Click the registration form link to preview the parent experience:

• Family information fields

• Student information fields

• User-friendly layout

Multiple Student Registration:

Parents can register multiple children easily:

1. Complete family information once

2. Check "I have more students to register"

3. Click "Register Student"

4. Page reloads keeping family information

5. Additional student fields appear

6. No need to re-enter family details

This streamlined process makes multi-child registration quick and convenient.

What is Kiosk Mode?

A special setting for in-church registration stations.

Normal Registration: After completing the form, users see a thank you message and return to main page.

Kiosk Mode: After registration, the form automatically reloads for the next person.

Use Cases:

• Set up a touchscreen, mouse, and keyboard in your lobby

• Promotion Sunday events

• "Big Sunday" registration drives

• Offer registration both via phone links and in-person kiosks

• Makes registration fast and easy for visitors

Benefits:

• Next person immediately sees registration form

• No navigation needed

• Continuous registration flow

• Great for high-traffic registration events

Automatic Follow-Up: The system sends automated thank-you emails to parents after registration.

Customization Options:

From Address:

• Specify church email address

• Replies go to designated contact

• Ensures proper communication routing

Contact Information:

• Add church phone number

• Provide direct contact method

Message Content:

Customize the welcome message to include:

• VBS start date reminders

• T-shirt ordering information

• Music CD purchase options

• Important preparation details

Payment Information:

If your church requests donations or payment:

• System doesn't process payments directly

• Include link to your payment system

• Add payment instructions

• Better in follow-up email than public form (keeps relevant for registered families)

Similar to student registration, with these differences:

• Volunteer-specific fields

• Age level preferences

• Role selection

• Customizable capacity tracking

Why Printable Forms Matter:

Not everyone is comfortable with digital registration:

• Some prefer paper forms

• Typing may be intimidating

• Writing is easier for some people

Available Printable Forms:

• Student registration form

• Volunteer registration form

Benefits:

• Matches your customized digital form

• No redesign needed

• Provides accessible alternative

1. Click the print button for desired form

2. System generates formatted version

3. Print copies as needed

4. Collect completed paper forms

Best Practice:

Enter printed form data into the system manually:

• Enables attendance tracking

• Provides team location information

• Centralizes all data

• Takes advantage of system features

Assign someone to help input paper registrations into the digital system. This is covered in a separate video tutorial.

The promotion and registration tools on MyAnswers.com provide:

• Free public event page: Customizable, mobile-responsive promotion

• Flexible registration forms: Collect exactly the information you need

• Multiple registration methods: Online, kiosk, and printable options

• Automated communications: Welcome emails with custom messaging

• Volunteer management: Role-based registration with capacity tracking

• Accessibility: Tools work on any device, accommodate all comfort levels

These comprehensive tools help you effectively promote your VBS and manage registrations with minimal effort.