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15 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Fundraising Platform

By Whit Hunter

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Fundraising platforms have become essential for nonprofit organizations in today's digital world. They greatly help with fundraising campaigns, but with many options available, choosing the right platform can be overwhelming. 

However, it's important to evaluate features like fees, payment options, customization, and customer support to make the best choice. 

In this blog post, we will discuss common questions to ask before selecting a platform, covering key aspects that can impact fundraising success. 

By asking these questions and considering the answers, you can confidently find a platform that suits your needs and goals. 

Let's begin!

#1 What are the fees associated with the platform?

When you're buying a prepaid fundraising platform, it's crucial to keep an eye on the fees involved. Most platforms have transaction fees for donations, but the rates can differ. Take the time to compare and see what additional charges might be lurking, like setup or monthly fees. 

It’'s not just about the platform’s fees. Consider its value, like its features, customer support, and how user-friendly it is. Strive for a balance that aligns with your organization's goals and budget.

BetterWorld is 100% free for nonprofits and has no hidden fees for your donors. 

#2 What types of payment does the platform accept?

It's essential to check which payment methods a fundraising platform accepts. Most platforms offer standard options like credit/debit cards and Stripe. However, it's worth investigating if they also support other popular payment gateways. 

This ensures that donors have a convenient and secure way to contribute. Some platforms might even accommodate international donations, so consider your audience's geographic diversity when evaluating payment options. 

You can cater to a broader range of donors and make the giving process more accessible by offering multiple payment methods.

#3 Does the platform offer recurring donations?

If you're on the hunt for the perfect fundraising platform, make sure it offers the option for recurring donations. These are the kinds of donations that supporters can make regularly, whether it's every month, every year, or as they, please. 

Recurring donations are excellent for nonprofit organizations that need ongoing support. So, check if the platform has this feature, and keep an eye out for any additional charges. 

With BetterWorld crowdfunding tool, you can set up recurring donations, so people can donate to your causes monthly or annually.

Having the ability to receive recurring donations is excellent, as it helps you maintain loyal donors and ensures a steady stream of funding for your cause.

#4 What is the platform's security protocol?

It's important to ask about a fundraising platform's security measures. Look for platforms that prioritize the protection of donor data and transactions. Find out if they use encryption technology to secure sensitive information. 

Additionally, ask if the platform is compliant with Payment Card Industry (PCI), ensuring they meet industry security standards for handling credit card information. 

A robust security protocol should also include measures like regular data backups and secure server infrastructure. You can instill trust in your donors and safeguard their confidential information by choosing a platform with a strong security framework.

The trust, privacy, and security of donors are non-negotiables for BetterWorld. Your personal and payment information is secure and encrypted, and will never be sold or shared with third parties.

#5 What is the platform's customer support like?

When considering a fundraising platform, it's crucial to assess the quality of their customer support. You want a platform that will be there for your user or donors when you need assistance or have questions. 

So dig deeper and explore their customer support offerings. Do they have a responsive and helpful support team? Look for platforms that offer various channels for support, such as email, live chat, or phone. 

Find out their typical response times and if they provide support during weekends or holidays. Reading reviews and testimonials from other users can also provide insights into the platform's customer support reputation. 

Exceptional customer support is invaluable when you encounter technical issues, need guidance, or seek prompt responses to your queries. It can make your fundraising experience smoother and more enjoyable.

At BetterWorld, we’re striving every day to make the user experience as pleasant as possible and to help them every step of the way during their fundraising process. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have.

#6 Does the platform offer customization options?

When selecting a fundraising platform, it's important to find one that helps you put your very own personal touch on it. You want a platform that appears like an extension of your nonprofit organization. 

So, take a better look at the customization options available. See if you can effortlessly tweak your fundraising pages' design, colors, and layout to match your brand image.

It's even better to upload custom fields or inquiries to gather particular information from your awesome donors. Being able to create a platform that displays your nonprofit's cause and connects you with your supporters on a deeper level is a complete game-changer. 

#7 What are the platform's reporting and analytics like?

When you're checking out a fundraising platform, it's essential to see what kind of reporting and analytics it offers. You want a platform that gives you insights into your fundraising efforts. 

Look for platforms that provide detailed reports on things like donation activity, donor demographics, and how your campaigns are performing. It's even better if they present all that data in easy-to-understand charts or graphs. 

Don't forget to see if you can keep track of individual donor information and their giving history too. That way, you can manage your donors better and personalize your communication with them. 

Having solid reports and analytics lets you see how your fundraising is going, spot trends, and make informed decisions. 

#8 Does the platform integrate with other tools?

Take a look at whether the fundraising platform integrates with other tools you currently use or may need in the future. Integration can streamline your workflow and save you time and effort. 

Find out if the platform offers integrations with popular tools like customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing platforms, or donor management software. This allows you to sync data, automate processes, and maintain a cohesive ecosystem. 

Additionally, check if the platform supports integration with payment gateways to ensure smooth transactions. Connecting with other tools can enhance your fundraising efforts and provide a seamless experience for you and your team. 

Therefore, explore the platform's integration options and choose one that aligns with your existing tech stack and future needs.

#9 What is the platform's track record?

It's important to research the platform’s previous records and overall history to see if they are better suited for your fundraising needs. Therefore, find out how long the website has been in operation. 

If you want to evaluate the fundraising platform’s track record by conducting distinct and comprehensive research, follow these tips:

  • Read reviews and testimonials online from current or former users to gain insight into their experience. 
  • Read success stories and examples of successful nonprofit organizations using the platform.
  • See what the platform’s reputation is in the industry.
  • Look out for how many campaigns they’ve published and how many complaints they’ve encountered. 

You want to find a platform with a solid track record, good user feedback, and a long history of successful campaigns. These qualities make the fundraising platform more reliable and effective for your fundraising goals. 

Let us help you raise more! Use BetterWorld’s free, easy fundraising tools!

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  • One-Click Checkout — our system will automatically charge the lucky winner

  • Text Message Notifications — keep your bidders engaged with text message notifications

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#10 What is the platform's user experience like?

If a fundraising platform doesn't have a good user experience, you lose more than you gain. Nothing scares away users and potential donors better than a disorganized and bad user experience. 

The platform should be user-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate interface and an easy-to-understand website where the donor can easily donate and do their business without any hassle. 

The more user-friendly your fundraising platform is, the more revenue your nonprofit will make. Therefore, explore the platform’s interface and look at its features to determine if they are well-designed and easy to use. 

A positive user experience makes sure that your donors and potential donors have a smooth and enjoyable journey through your platform, which can increase the chances of them coming back. 

#11 Is the platform mobile-friendly and responsive?

Make sure that any platform you choose should automatically construct your website into a mobile-friendly interface. The platform should be designed to fit both a laptop's, mobile's, and tablet’s layout. 

This will impress donors of all ages because donating through your mobile phone is convenient during a busy schedule. Or maybe some tech-savvy donors just like to donate through the palm of their hands.

#12 Does the platform support social sharing for campaign promotion?

Fundraising platforms should promote your fundraising campaigns through social sharing. Therefore, the platform should seamlessly integrate with social media platforms so you can spread your fundraising message across any social platform.

This includes user-friendly share buttons, making it easy for donors or nonprofits to promote the fundraising cause across their network. 

Social media is great for gaining new donors and supporters, which is why it's important to take advantage of these platforms to expand the reach of your fundraiser.

#13 Can you customize donation forms to collect specific donor information?

Determine if the platform you opt for has customization features such as custom-made donation forms. Customized donation forms can help fundraisers collect specific donor data and analytics to help them make future decisions and strategies. 

This will also help you gain detailed data on your audience profile and the analytics of the people interested in donating to your cause. This can help you target them specifically by designing the campaigns according to their preferences. 

#14 Does the platform provide donor management (e.g., tracking donations and sending thank-you emails)?

Look out for platforms that provide donor management features or systems so you can streamline the process of tracking donations and engaging with the donors. 

Donation management features are important for successful fundraising campaigns because they allow nonprofits to create strong bonds with donors.

A donor management system tracks incoming donations and records detailed data such as the donation amount, date and time, and donor information. It should also include automated emails that express gratitude after a donation.

These emails are great for engaging with the donor and fostering future relationships with them. 

#15 Is the platform scalable for future fundraising growth?

Make sure to assess the overall stability of the platform, especially in terms of future growth. Determine if the platform has the capacity for increasing traffic. It should handle a growing number of donors, users, and transactions without any issues or technicalities. 

A good platform should be updated and integrated with the latest tools and technologies, ensuring the platform can integrate with essential tools and services and continues to do so in the future. 

Also assess the level of support and training offered by the platform, because good support and training materials will be crucial as your organization grows and your team expands in the future.

Remember that a platform’s scalability is not just about handling a larger number of users or integrated tools; it also involves adaptability, features, and services that can meet your fundraiser’s evolving needs. 

Therefore, ask the platform vendors questions about the platform's scalability and consult their customer support or sales teams to further gain insight into how well their solutions align with your fundraiser's growth plans.

Conclusion

Choosing the right fundraising platform is a critical decision every nonprofit organization must make. But by asking the right questions, you can find a platform that meets your fundraising needs. 

BetterWorld is the perfect solution for nonprofits looking for a platform that ticks all the boxes. BetterWorld's platform is 100% free for nonprofits and no hidden fees are charged to your donors. 

We believe in the causes you champion, and we want to help you make a better world.

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Whit Hunter
AUTHOR

About Whit Hunter

Whit Hunter is the co-founder of BetterWorld, the free, easy-to-use online fundraising platform. His passion for empowering nonprofits and tech expertise have shaped BetterWorld’s mission to make fundraising more accessible and efficient.

Whit's innovative vision has helped countless organizations raise more funds and reach their goals, driving BetterWorld’s ongoing success.

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