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How to boost your online donations


Are you struggling to elevate your charity's online presence and drive more donations?


Crafting an impactful online presence isn't just about visibility—it's about sparking that vital connection that transforms visitors into passionate supporters of your cause.


If you would like to connect, engage, and inspire potential donors here are some key ways you can easily amplifying your charity's online footprint specifically to boost donations. From designing a compelling website that builds trust to mastering the art of storytelling and leveraging social proof, we're diving into strategies that drive not just traffic but meaningful contributions along with a few of my favourite examples.



1. Make Your Website Easy to Find


Optimize your site for search engines (SEO). Beyond keyword usage, focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that answers potential donor queries. For instance, a wildlife conservation charity could write blogs answering queries like "How to help endangered species?" or "Ways to support wildlife conservation."

Regularly updating blogs not only keeps content fresh but also demonstrates the organisation's ongoing engagement and expertise. It's crucial to conduct routine checks to fix broken links, ensuring a seamless user experience and maintaining search engine ranking.



a sample of a good landing page of a charity website designed by Made by Katie

2. Design a Professional Website


Donors must trust and believe in your mission and that your cause is worthy of their money. A professional website is a digital ambassador for your cause. Beyond aesthetics, it's a testament to the organisation's credibility. Consistency in design, clear navigation, and responsive layouts communicate reliability. Compelling visuals and a cohesive brand story evoke emotions and help visitors connect with the cause on a deeper level (for help with this, check out my web design services).


For example, Lady Garden Foundation's website showcases a sleek and modern design, characterised by vibrant imagery and an eye-catching colour scheme. The use of bold visuals and a consistent brand aesthetic creates an immediate impact, drawing visitors in and reflecting the charity's energetic and forward-thinking approach.



3. Show Impact


It’s easy for people to feel like they’re too small to make a difference and sometimes this can stop a person from bothering to donate or volunteer. When surveyed, donors said that one reason they chose to donate was because they felt their gift had a direct impact to improve a situation.


So show impact by demonstrating impact with numbers and storytelling. Utilise case studies, testimonials, statistics, and immersive fieldwork videos to vividly portray the transformative power of donations. Personal narratives and real-life examples humanise the cause, invoking empathy and inspiring more significant contributions. This really appeals to those impact donors who want to see tangible, measurable results. For example, Wellbeing of Women hit you with bold, solid statistics straight out of the gate in a simple yet powerful way.



4. Add Social Proof


Humans are herd animals, which means that being accepted and praised by others is a fundamental driver. This primal desire to belong is a primary motivator that’s taught and learned from birth by our parents and communities. Highlighting major donors, partnerships, testimonials, or awards add legitimacy and trustworthiness. Testimonials from influential figures or well-known supporters reinforce the credibility of the cause.


Sharing success stories or recognition received from reputable sources strengthens the belief that the organisation is making a genuine difference. For example, Bright Futures highlight quotes and a star rating from young people they have worked with followed with a scrolly bar of partners they work with which include notable and reputable names which really appeals to those socially dynamic donors.



5. Clarify Your Ask


Like the ‘impact donor’, the goal setter likes to feel like their contribution genuinely matters and see that particular goals and objectives are reached.


Empower donors by providing transparency about where their contributions go. You can break down donation options to showcase the direct impact of each amount. Detailing the costs of specific projects or initiatives makes the ask tangible and enables donors to visualize their role in creating positive change. Variety, the Children's Charity does a fantastic job of breaking down how £5 could help fund a day out whilst £20 could help buy a wheelchair.


Or set a tangible, specific goal and use plenty of hyped positive statements to show progress is along the way.



a sample of a good online donation form designed by Made by Katie


6. Make it Super Easy to donate online


Simplicity is key. An intuitive, mobile-responsive donation form with minimal steps and fields is paramount. Eliminate unnecessary distractions during the donation process to maintain donor focus and streamline the user experience. The objective is to make donating a seamless and straightforward process, reducing any friction that might discourage potential donors.


The Red Cross simplifies the donation process with an intuitive, mobile-responsive form. Their website eliminates distractions during the donation process, ensuring a seamless and straightforward experience. The focus remains solely on the donation process, reducing any potential friction for donors.



7. Make More Than One Ask


Litter your website with 'Donate Now' buttons encouraging spontaneous contributions from potential donors. Ensuring easy access to these buttons means donors can act on their impulse to support your cause at any moment during their browsing journey on your site.


Consider these buttons as friendly nudges, strategically positioned throughout your web pages, inviting visitors to make an immediate impact with their donation. You never know the exact moment when someone feels inspired or motivated to contribute, so making the donation process seamless and readily accessible is key.

By integrating these buttons seamlessly into your website's layout and content, you create an environment where the impulse to give can swiftly transition into a meaningful donation. It's ab


out simplifying the path from inspiration to action, empowering your visitors to support your cause with just a click.


someone donating money online using a credit card


8. Set Up Recurring Donations


Encourage long-term commitment by providing the option for recurring donations. This feature not only secures consistent funding but also fosters a sense of partnership, enabling donors to support the cause continuously and contribute to sustained impact over time.



Transform Your Charity's Online Presence with Made by Katie: Book a Discovery Call Today


At Made by Katie, I specialise in crafting websites that resonate deeply with your audience, compelling them to take action. My expertise lies in creating professional, visually captivating websites that inspire trust and engagement. To discover how my tailored web design services can transform your charity's digital presence and significantly increase your impact through amplified online donations, book a discovery call with me today and let’s chat.


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