5 Things to Look for When Evaluating Online Giving Options

The process of finding a viable website giving option can seem daunting at first. To narrow down your search, evaluate potential online giving solutions against the following criteria.

1. Is the Online Giving Solution Mobile-Friendly?

Did you know that 77% of Americans now own smartphones? Being tied down to a desktop computer to use the internet is a thing of the past. More people have access to the power of mobile technology than ever before — and they use these devices for more than texting:

• 43% of mobile phone owners use an app for mobile banking.
• U.S. consumers bought $47.6 billion of physical goods via mobile in 2016.
• As of 2016, nearly 17% of online donations were made on a mobile device.

By selecting an online giving solution that incorporates mobile, you’ll give donors the opportunity to remain firmly in their mobile-centric comfort zone. If mobile is good enough for banking and online shopping, it’s good enough for giving.

2. Is Security a Priority?

One major hurdle to overcome in winning donors over is online security. If your supporters don’t feel safe submitting information through a platform, you might as well not offer the option at all.

Select an online giving provider who has invested in solid security processes for payment transactions and saving private information. If the solution you’re looking into doesn’t seem to take safety and security seriously, keep searching until you find one that does.

When people feel safe, they give more. That’s why prioritizing security is a win-win for you and your supporters.

3. Is It Effortless to Use?

You don’t want to waste your time implementing an online giving solution that no one ever uses. The best way to make sure you choose an option that your donors will love to use is to make sure it isn’t complicated.

How much effort does a donor need to put in to make an online donation? Does it involve filling out a long, complicated form? Are they required to remember obscure information? The right online giving solution will be effortless for your donors. They should be able to complete their donation within seconds.

Once you find an option that is fast and easy to use, you can feel content with your decision.

4. Does It Support Recurring Giving?

Fun fact: Over the course of one year, supporters who make recurring donations give 42% more than those who make one-time gifts. To get the best results from your fundraising campaigns, offering recurring giving options is imperative.

When picking out an online giving method for your organization, make sure the one you choose allows for recurring donations. If it doesn’t, you will be leaving a lot of funds on the table.

5. How Much Does It Cost?

The ultimate goal of your nonprofit fundraising efforts is to raise money, not spend it. Your organization runs on a budget, and you want to modernize your giving options without breaking the bank. Before signing up with any online giving provider, ask one very important question: What will it cost me?

Not all modern giving solutions are created equal. Some providers charge hefty startup or monthly fees that can really add up. Others only charge a small percentage per transaction. You don’t have to pay through the nose to offer online giving to your supporters. Search until you find the option that best suits your limited budget.

Ready to see a mobile and online giving solution that meets all of the above criteria? Let us give you a tour.