Increase Engagement and Donations and Avoid Common Website Mistakes

1. @DesignTLC4web
5 Best Practices for
Nonprofit Websites
@TaraClaeys
Increase Engagement and Donations and
Avoid Common Website Mistakes

2. Tara Claeys
WordPress Agency Owner: Design TLC
Specializing in nonprofits, independent
schools, and enrichment programs
Podcast Co-Host: Mindful School Marketing
Mom: Brian, 24 & Erin, 22
Runner, Cyclist
Productivity Geek

3. @DesignTLC4web
[Source: https://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/]

4. @DesignTLC4web
[Source: 2020 Global NGO Technology Report]

5. @DesignTLC4web
1
Easy To Find & Trust

6. @DesignTLC4web
.ORG
1 EasyTo Find & Trust

7. @DesignTLC4web
Choosing a Domain Name
1 EasyTo Find & Trust

8. @DesignTLC4web
HTTPS & Privacy Policy
Of NGO websites worldwide have an SSL certificate
70%
Of NGO websites worldwide have a Privacy Policy
71%
[Source: 2019 Global NGO Technology Report]
1 EasyTo Find & Trust

9. @DesignTLC4web
Testimonials & Case Studies
1 EasyTo Find & Trust

10. @DesignTLC4web
Legitimacy - Affiliations
4 Relevant Message

11. @DesignTLC4web
2
Easy To Use &
Understand

12. @DesignTLC4web
User Experience
● Loads Fast
● Mobile Friendly
● Easy to Navigate
● Call To Action
2 EasyTo Use & Understand

13. @DesignTLC4web
2 EasyTo Use & Understand
Navigation

14. @DesignTLC4web
2 EasyTo Use & Understand
Call To Action

15. @DesignTLC4web
3
“Professional” Design

16. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
F Layout

17. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Layout
DON’T DO THIS

18. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Layout
DO THIS

19. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Photography
DON’T DO THIS

20. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Photography
DON’T DO THIS

21. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
DON’T DO THIS

22. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Photography
DO THIS

23. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Colors
DON’T DO THIS

24. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Colors
DO THIS

25. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Fonts
Limit number of fonts and colors
Limit number of fonts and colors
Limit number of fonts and colors
Limit number of fonts and colors
Limit number of fonts and colors

26. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
Fonts
DO THIS
DON’T DO THIS

27. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
DON’T DO THIS

28. @DesignTLC4web
3 Professional Design
DO THIS

29. @DesignTLC4web
4
Relevant Message

30. @DesignTLC4web
Clear Mission Statement
4 Relevant Message

31. @DesignTLC4web
Show Impact
4 Relevant Message

32. @DesignTLC4web
30%
Of annual giving happens in
December, with about 10% off all
annual donations coming in the
last 3 days of the year
4 Relevant Message
Updated Message for Campaigns

33. @DesignTLC4web
5
Make Donating Easy!

34. @DesignTLC4web
Online Fundraisers vs. Websites
5 Make Donating Easy

35. @DesignTLC4web
Donation Form
● Keep it Simple
● Fee Recovery
● Recurring Donations
● Corporate Matching
● Designation
● Gift in Honor of with ECard to giftee
● Offer/Link to Receipt
● Direct Credit Card on site, payment options
● Automated Thank You
5 Make Donating Easy

36. @DesignTLC4web
3rd Party Donation Platforms
● Donor Perfect
● Network For Good
● Bloomerang
● Donately
● GiveCloud
● GiveLively
● PayPal
● Facebook
● Amazon Smile
● GoFundMe
5 Make Donating Easy

37. @DesignTLC4web
GiveWP for WordPress
5 Make Donating Easy
Form Plugins (Gravity Forms,
WPForm, Ninja Forms, etc.)
Free and easy to use. Premium Add Ons
Very complex. Full CRM. Likely need developer.
Limited functionality. Start from scratch.

38. @DesignTLC4web
Other Good Stuff
● Text To Give
● Social Sharing
● Peer to Peer
5 Make Donating Easy

39. @DesignTLC4web
5 Make Donating Easy

40. @DesignTLC4web
1 Easy To Find & Trust
2 Easy To Use & Understand
3 Professional Design
4 Relevant Message
5 Make Donating Easy

41. Questions?
@TaraClaeys
@DesignTLC4Web
DesignTLC.com