With the rise of technology, streamlining nonprofit campaigns that are more mobile friendly and technologically up to date is now more than ever one of the biggest priorities for any type of fundraising strategy. Just take a look at how various organizations such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge were able to both advertise their message and increase their donations in just a short period of time. It wasn’t anything by chance. Instead, it was done through a fun concept that was able to attract a wide group of people including business leaders, celebrities, athletes, and political figures all around the world.
If you are looking to illuminate the future of your fundraising, you need to begin strategizing innovative and effective ways in how technology can raise your mission of your organization and your donor listing. At the end of the day, technology has advanced greatly to connect a wide range of people. To leverage this, I have provided various tips in how to you create your digital plan of attack.
Think Mobile! Use the Power of the Tablet!
One of the biggest assumptions you need to veer away from is that people are more willing to use their computers than they are their phones or tables. You can even go as far as to say that more people, especially elders, are illiterate when it comes to that type of technology. Regardless of the statistics, you as a fundraising strategist should never rule anything out. Studies have shown that in recent years, older users have proven to be very adaptable when it comes to newer technology and are just as likely to donate online as their younger counterparts. To enhance this, make sure your website or donor application is fast and easy to navigate. Unlike a computer, mobile phones and tablets may have problems accessing particular sites because of the speed and technological logistics of the site. To alleviate this problem, make sure you are able to test out your product and sources through any type of mobile technological device. This will help you identify any holes for online donations.
Make your Site User Friendly…Cut out the Fat!
When catering to any audience, the ideal goal is to strike a happy balance between the websites logistics aesthetics and its user-friendliness. For the design itself, you wan to be particular about every detail. To help with this, think like the user. Make sure the site is set up so that the ‘donation’ button is seen at the top and bottom of the page so that they do not miss it. In addition, try to keep it simple yet sleek. That type of design allows your site to be user-friendlier, but also faster. For a strong website, make sure you have the following pages:
- About Page
- History / Mission and Goals
- Donation Page
- Contact Page
Now, talking strategically, when it comes to driving conversions, make sure you are prominently featuring all of your most common actionable functions. Make sure the ‘donate’ button is clearly visible on each and every page. You want to constantly remind your user of the option to donate or volunteer.
To learn more about how to enhance your sites, please click here.
Don’t be Lazy…Make sure you optimize the Social Media Side!
Since the early 2000s, social media has grown dramatically and has persistently established its presence on almost every organization, business, and corporation in the world. While developing a social media strategy is a must for nonprofit organizations, it is important that you tailor your efforts in improving your online presence. This include the following social media properties: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Having these connection will not only allow you to showcase your work and your organizations mission, but also the work and efforts that other people can do by donating to your cause.
Remember, the most important thing to note about designing a strong, consistent, and accommodating digital experience for your foundation is that you do not compromise on the standard and quality of your campaign. By leveraging clean designed websites, strong social media platforms, and accessible options, you will be able to share the interest and engagement of your work today and your work in the future.