It’s a digital-centered world out there, and sometimes it seems like every popsicle stand and hot dog cart has a website.
Where nonprofits used to prioritize in-person donor cultivation, now we’re seeing the demographic shift to a more digitally inclined donor.
And that’s great news for nonprofits… if our websites are up to snuff.
I’m talking about clarity, functionality, visual appeal, accessibility, and flow.
A great website can be the catalyst that will help you achieve your fundraising goals or the Achilles heel that handicaps your organization.
Donors (and people in general) have short attention spans. They want to know the impact their donation can have within the first three seconds of visiting your website. And that means, you have to strike the perfect balance.
So, to kick off the conversation, here are a few of my personal pet peeves about NPO websites:
❌ Too much information and you lose them.
❌ Not enough detail, and you fail to capture their empathy.
❌ And then there’s the subject of branding. Bad photography and a mismatched color palette can kill the vibe.
But, let’s get real. Everyone has opinions. There’s no way you can make every visitor to your website 100% happy. But, you can focus on providing value for value.
My suggestion? Scrutinize your website from your donor’s point of view to ensure that you’re providing a high-quality customer journey that feels easy, natural, and not pushy.
So you might be wondering, Rhea, should I call in a professional, or is this the universe telling me it’s time to dust off my DIY graphic design skills?
Well, before you roll up your sleeves and get to work, I strongly suggest you check out this week’s podcast episode with my friend Lou Kotsinis.
Want to know the who, what, where, when, and why of revamping your NPO’s website for a cleaner, more effective user experience in 2024? Lou Kotsinis is your dude. Check out the highlights below!
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Does your nonprofit website attract donors like a rusted-out Geo Metro? Geo Metro? 🚗 Here’s how to give it a sleek new upgrade without breaking the bank.
Lou Kotsinis of BCS Interactive shares his 20+ years of digital marketing expertise to help nonprofits level up their online presence. A beautiful website matters – it’s often the first impression funders have of your work!
We discuss common pitfalls in positioning, storytelling, user experience and functionality. Plus simple fixes that create a seamless, conversion-focused donor journey.
Lou also gives tips on choosing intuitive donation platforms, website content that converts, calls to action that compel without annoying, and more.
The bottom line? Nonprofit websites should make donors feel loved, not bamboozled! Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their passion points and perspective. Then craft an experience that makes them eager to engage with your cause.
“Love your audience. If you love your audience [and] understand what their needs are, that can’t help but be reflected in your website.” – Lou Kotsinis
Ready for website wisdom that’s equal parts strategic and practical?
Have a listen here 🎧: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/266-is-your-website-funder-friendly-with-lou-kotsinis/id1436858854?i=1000638180689
