Choosing The Right Online Fundraising Platform For Your Cause

When it comes to raising money for a cause, picking the right online fundraising platform is a big decision. These platforms are like digital tools that help you collect donations, share your story, and connect with supporters. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which one is best for your specific needs. 

Some platforms might have great features but high fees, while others might be more user-friendly but lack certain tools. In this blog, we're going to help you figure out how to choose the best online fundraising platform for your cause. 

Assessing Your Needs and Goals

When choosing an online fundraising platform, it's essential to start by assessing your nonprofit's specific needs and goals. Make sure that the platform you select aligns well with the type of fundraising activities you plan to engage in and the growth of your organization.

Evaluate Your Donor Base and Growth Plans

Consider the size of your donor database and your plans for growth. For smaller nonprofits, a platform with a billing model based on the number of donor records might be suitable. 

However, for organizations in a rapid growth phase, it's important to choose a platform that can scale with your expansion needs.

Identify Your Event Types

Different platforms excel at different types of events. Some are ideal for mobile campaigns, while others are better suited for auctions or peer-to-peer events. Assess the kinds of events you focus on and select a platform that supports those specific activities.

Communication Channels with Donors

Your choice should also be influenced by how you communicate with your donors. If your nonprofit relies heavily on email communications, a platform with email tools would be ideal. 

Alternatively, if your strategy includes a lot of video messaging, a platform that integrates well with video production tools might be more appropriate.

Key Features to Consider

When selecting an online fundraising platform for your cause, several key features must be considered. These features can significantly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of your fundraising efforts.

Customizable Donation Forms

Customizable donation forms are essential for aligning with your brand and mission. They should seamlessly integrate with CRM platforms for streamlined data entry, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in managing donor information. 

This integration also aids in efficient reporting and analytics, offering insights into donation activities and trends.

Crowdfunding Capabilities

Crowdfunding is a powerful tool for extending your reach. It helps engage a broader audience and allows supporters to fundraise on your behalf, thus expanding your donor base significantly. 

The key is to have a platform that supports and simplifies crowdfunding efforts​​.

Recurring Donation Options

Offering options for recurring donations is vital for securing a stable and predictable income stream. This feature is crucial for nurturing long-term donor relationships and ensuring consistent financial support​​.

Mobile Optimization

A platform that is easy to navigate and optimized for mobile devices is crucial. 

Mobile-optimized donation forms have become increasingly important as more people use mobile devices for online transactions. 

Reporting and Analytics

Effective fundraising platforms offer comprehensive reporting and analytics tools. These tools help you track and analyze fundraising data, providing valuable insights for optimizing your strategies. 

They are integral for understanding donor behavior, campaign performance, and overall fundraising effectiveness​​.

Integration with Social Media

Integrating your fundraising platform with social media channels can significantly enhance your campaign's reach and engagement. 

A well-executed social media strategy tailored to the content preferences of each platform can drive awareness and support for your cause​​.

Security and Compliance

Data Protection Standards

Choosing an online fundraising platform requires attention to data protection standards. Compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is crucial for safeguarding credit card information. 

Although not a legal requirement, PCI DSS compliance is vital to prevent data breaches and maintain trust. Non-compliance can lead to higher transaction fees, potential legal issues, and damage to reputation​​​​.

Regular Security Audits

Regular security audits are essential for a secure online fundraising platform. These audits involve assessing security measures to protect donor data effectively. Regular system audits, both internal and external, are part of PCI compliance. 

They help find and fix potential security weaknesses. Continuous monitoring and vulnerability scanning are key to detecting and addressing security issues quickly​​​​.

Comparing Pricing Models

Understanding Different Fee Structures

Transaction Fees

These fees are charged for processing monetary transactions and are usually a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount. 

For example, some platforms may charge between 2.9% to 5% plus an additional $0.20 to $0.30 per transaction​​.

Monthly Charges

Some platforms opt for a monthly fee structure. This could be a fixed monthly rate, but be cautious as some platforms may showcase a lower yearly fee on their pricing pages, which can be misleading compared to the higher monthly rates​​.

Other Costs

Consider additional costs like fees for using multiple payment gateways, or charges for extra services like creating customized donation pages or integrating specific features. 

Some platforms may also have hidden fees or costs for additional functionalities not included in the basic plan​​​​.

Budget Considerations

Aligning Costs with Financial Capacity

It’s important to select a platform that aligns with your organization's budget. Avoid platforms with hidden fees or complex pricing structures that could strain your financial resources.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Weigh the benefits of the platform against its costs. A platform with a higher fee might offer valuable features that can enhance your fundraising efforts, making the extra cost worthwhile.

Donor Preferences

Consider your donors' preferences and convenience. Platforms that offer multiple payment options or the ability to cover transaction fees might encourage more donations despite higher costs​​.

Long-Term Financial Planning

Look for a platform that fits your long-term financial plans. Consider not only the current costs but also how these might change as your fundraising efforts grow and evolve.

User Experience and Support

The user experience (UX) of an online fundraising platform is pivotal for both donors and administrators. A platform that is not user-friendly can lead to donor frustration, decrease engagement, and even result in abandoned transactions. 

For administrators, limited flexibility in the platform can restrict the ability to tailor fundraising campaigns effectively. This lack of adaptability can hinder the organization's efforts in connecting with donors and may lead to reduced contributions​​​​.

Key aspects of a good UX include

Simplified Navigation

It’s crucial to have a clear, easy-to-navigate interface. It helps visitors find what they need quickly and without frustration. Simplified navigation is particularly important on donation pages, where too much complexity can deter potential donors​​​​.

Clear Calls to Action

Donation pages should have prominent, easy-to-identify calls to action. This could be a colorful button with text like “Donate Now!” that leads directly to the donation form​​.

Customer Support and Training

Having access to comprehensive customer support and training materials is essential for using an online fundraising platform effectively. 

Good customer support can significantly enhance the experience for administrators, especially when dealing with complex features or when troubleshooting is needed.

Training materials, on the other hand, can save time and resources by enabling the administrators to understand and utilize the platform's full potential. 

When these resources are readily available and clearly presented, they empower organizations to operate more independently and efficiently​​.

Reading Reviews and Gathering Feedback

The importance of reading user reviews and testimonials when choosing an online fundraising platform cannot be overstated. 

These reviews offer real insights into the platform's performance, user experience, and support quality. 

Be mindful that reviews can be biased or manipulated. Focus on recent and detailed reviews for accurate insights, and use your judgment to assess their reliability​​​​.

Gathering feedback from your community, including donors and volunteers, is also important. Their input can guide you to a platform that meets their preferences and needs. 

Use surveys or discussions to understand what features they value, like donation ease, clear information, or payment options.

BetterWorld - A Clear Winner in Online Fundraising

Zero Fees, Maximum Impact

BetterWorld is the ideal choice for online fundraising. Our platform is 100% free, with absolutely no hidden costs. You won't find transaction fees or monthly charges here. This commitment to affordability is why over 85,000 nonprofits and fundraisers trust us.

Our platform uses advanced technology to simplify online fundraising. Setting up an account takes 5 minutes, offering you a hassle-free experience. With BetterWorld, budget constraints won't hold your nonprofit back. 

More than 95% of donors on our platform cover the credit card fees (2.9% + $0.30). This generosity ensures that more funds go directly to your cause.

We've crafted our campaigns to look stunning on any device – phone, tablet, or computer. Your fundraising efforts will always shine with our professionally designed layouts. Plus, we never show ads on your page.

Manage all your campaigns from one location. Our platform seamlessly integrates auctions, raffles, and ticketing, streamlining your operations.

Our dedicated support team is always ready to assist, whether you're setting up your account or organizing a fundraiser. With BetterWorld, you're never alone in your fundraising journey.