Church Planting Road Map: A Digital Strategy for Church Planters
Each person who walks into your church doors brings something different—deep questions, quiet prayers, or a sense of loneliness or need for belonging. They’re searching for something, and they’ve come hoping your church will meet them right where they are. VisitorTap puts the power of connection right at their fingertips, so you can meet people in the moment, not after it’s passed. It’s easy, accessible, and comfortable.
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Have you ever paused to consider what someone is hoping for when they walk into your church on a Sunday?
Each person who enters brings something different—deep questions, quiet prayers, or a sense of loneliness or need for belonging. They’re searching for something, and they’ve come hoping your church will meet them right where they are.
When connection is delayed, confusing, or missed entirely, those sacred moments slip away and so do the opportunities.
VisitorTap puts the power of connection right at their fingertips, so you can meet people in the moment, not after it’s passed. It’s easy, accessible, and comfortable.
Here are seven reasons why your church should tap in:
Visiting a new church is a bold step. But if connecting feels awkward or unclear, many people won’t come back. In fact, Barna found that 82% of first-time guests say ease of connection plays a major role in whether they return.¹
They’ve already stepped out in faith to walk through your doors, they shouldn’t be left wondering what to do next. VisitorTap gives them that clear next step. With a single tap, guests can watch a welcome video or fill out a connect card without pressure or hesitation.
Ultimately, using tap to connect with first time guests, isn’t about data collection. It’s about hospitality. It’s about showing someone they matter the second they walk through your doors.
Giving is part of worship. But let’s be honest, passing a plate or asking people to “text this number” can interrupt the moment.
When the option to give is just a simple tap away, it removes the awkwardness and makes the moment more accessible. People don’t have to fumble with their phones or wait to give later—they can respond right then and there.
And it makes a difference. When giving is simple and immediate, people are more likely to follow through—and do it consistently. That kind of consistency is what helps fuel ministry, meet needs, and support long-term growth. In fact, churches see a 32% increase in giving when it’s digital.²
When you remove friction, people give.
We’ve all seen it, sign-up sheets that disappear. QR codes that don’t quite scan. Or people who meant to register… but forgot by the time they got home.
VisitorTap removes sign-up friction. No messy handwriting. No confusing links. No app required. Just tap, sign up, done. Whether it’s small groups, baptisms, events, or volunteer teams, tap cards give people a way to say yes in the moment. In fact, tap sign-ups consistently see nearly double the follow-through compared to QR codes.³ When the next step is easy and immediate, more people take it.
Families are busy, and schedules are full, but meaningful involvement is what helps people truly connect. It’s not just about filling a spot on a volunteer list; it’s about feeling seen, valued, and part of something bigger. In fact, 85% of volunteers say they feel a strong sense of belonging to the organization they serve with.⁴
Churches need tools that not only invite people in, but also remove barriers that keep them on the sidelines. Tools that make it easier for someone to go from “interested” to “involved”—without the follow-up falling through the cracks.
Serving is how people discover their purpose and begin to take ownership of the church they call home. VisitorTap makes that step to serve more accessible, immediate, and easy to say yes to.
We all know where most bulletins end up. But when people can tap the seat in front of them and instantly get the sermon notes, scriptures, and discussion questions? That’s a whole different experience.
In fact, sermon note engagement TRIPLES when notes are delivered by tap instead of email.⁵ When people can revisit the message during the week, or share it with someone else, it moves them from just listening to the message to actually living it out.
Not everyone who needs prayer is going to walk forward or raise their hand. But that doesn’t mean their need is any less real. A simple tap gives people a private and safe way to share what’s on their heart, right in the moment.
When those requests are received through the VisitorReach app, the response is powerful. When requests for prayer are sent digitally they see 3x more responses than any other type of communication.⁶
VisitorTap helps create sacred moments, even in digital spaces.
Connection shouldn’t stop when service ends.
People might visit your church on Sunday, but their lives keep moving the rest of the week. If you want to stay in step with them, your follow-up has to be just as timely.
That’s where VisitorTap really shines—especially when paired with a VisitorReach subscription. With texting follow-up, automated workflows, and quick reply tools built right in, you can respond in real-time, check in midweek, and continue conversations long after someone taps a card.
Whether someone taps to connect, sign up, give, or ask for prayer, you now have a way to follow up personally and consistently.
The church has always been about connection, inviting people in, building meaningful relationships, and helping each other grow in faith. As our world grows more digital, people’s expectations for engagement shift. With VisitorTap, the church doesn’t just keep up; it leads the way in radical hospitality.
Discover how VisitorTap can help your church create meaningful moments and build real connections with a single tap. From first-time visitors to faithful volunteers, it’s never been easier to help people take their next step. Visit VisitorTap.com to learn more.
Footnotes:
1. Barna Group, “Barna found that 82% of first-time guests say ease of connection is a major factor.”
2. Pushpay, “Churches see a 32% increase in giving when it’s digital.” (2024)
3. Marketing Drive, “Tap sign-ups consistently see nearly double the follow-through compared to QR codes.” (2025)
4. NCVO, “85% of volunteers feel a sense of belonging to the organization they volunteer for.” (2019)
5. FaithTech Research, “Digital note engagement triples when delivered instantly via tap compared to email later.”
6. VisitorReach, “Digital prayer requests see 3x more responses.” (2025)
Create 100+ monthly connections with people in your area, have meaningful SMS conversations, and watch new visitors walk through your doors — All through the VisitorReach App!
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