by Itzik Pop
So you work at a nonprofit – you are trying to make a difference for the individual or the world. You invest your time, your energy and often your money – but usually that is not enough and you need help from outside resources well. Contributions of all sorts – and particularly financial donations – are often essential in making social change.

Today, one of the easiest, most convenient ways to raise money is of course via the internet. That said, you can build a site, advertise, spread the word – and still the donations will not just appear. What did you do wrong? What was the mistake? When you look at the statistics for your site – it seems that as soon as people come to the site they run in the other direction without donating. It’s possible that something as basic as your website design is to blame. Below I lay out some very brief tips to help you attract more visitors and receive more donations.

1. Build a user-friendly site. When creating a website for online fundraising, it is critical to make the donation process as simple and as clear as possible – for returning donors – but in particular for new donors. Don’t forget to link to your donate page from your homepage – in as visible a manner as possible so no visitor has to look too hard.

2. Require registration? Don’t. It is best not to ask potential donors to register first. Many times, site visitors prefer to donate anonymously, or without leaving a trail online – a registration process hinders this. Requiring detailed information may simply scare off donors.

3. Information matters. Writing for a website is different than writing offline. Weigh every word you write and consider that the clearer, more open and more accessible your writing is – the more likely a site visitor is to feel comfortable enough to open up his/her wallet and donate.

4. Volunteering and Donating. Clearly money is of utmost importance to your organization, but sometimes an extra pair of hands is just as important. First, today’s volunteer might be tomorrow’s donor – but even today, volunteers can help you raise money as well. Make sure your website advertises that you are looking for volunteers as well – it makes your organization look that much more attractive.

5. Truth in Advertising. When advertising online, and that’s what a website is after all, it is important to be consistent and honest in the information you provide. When you place information elsewhere on the web, make sure that it is consistent as well. One someone has to take out a credit card and donate online they need to trust you.

6. News and Updates. Your website should include space, probably on every page, but at least on the home page, for news and updates about donation and the progress you are making. This shows potential donors that they are joining an already group of existing supporters and it encourages them to donate as well.

Tags: online donations, volunteers, website

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