Must-have functionality for your next association management software

Your association may be small, but when it comes to selecting new association management software (AMS), you’re about to make a big investment – not just a financial one, but also an investment in the future of your association. To ensure your investment in your new AMS will enable your staff to best serve your members, talk with other departments about their needs and the limitations of your current membership software. This will help you develop a list of the features and functionality you need. Then, ask potential AMS vendors about your must-have functionality, and make sure it’s included in the baseline product.

Here are some important areas of functionality to consider as you narrow your list of AMS vendors.

To ensure your investment in your new AMS will enable your staff to best serve your members, talk with other departments about their needs.

Member engagement

A robust AMS can make all the difference when it comes to how well you engage with your members and how great their experiences are with your organization. Look for an AMS that:

Gives you a comprehensive, 360-degree view of your membership

Offers easy collaboration and networking for your members

Reporting

You need to use data to make informed decisions, and your AMS should help you do just that. Ask the AMS vendors about their capabilities around dashboards, advanced reporting and scheduled reports.

You need to use data to make informed decisions, and your AMS should help you do just that

Easy configuration

It’s important that the system you choose suits your staff needs and best serves your members. For smaller organizations like yours, a platform with configurable modules (versus a pricier fully-customizable system) likely can make the impact you need. Ask the AMS provider how each product area (such as event management, fundraising, member portal, etc.) can be configured to meet your organization’s requirements.

Integration

When shopping for an AMS, a key feature to examine is how much integration it allows with other applications. Closely look at your association’s engagement, retention and revenue goals to assess what integrations you might need or want to add in the future. Ask questions about what integrations the AMS can handle, and if the company has any strategic relationships or partnerships with businesses that might offer you a price break.

Selecting the right AMS can take your association to the next level and ensure your success for years to come. Be sure to do your homework and you’ll be on your way to making the most effective choice for your association.

Learn more about how to choose the right association management software for your association: Download The Ultimate Association Management Software (AMS) Buyer’s Guide