As a nonprofit, your website’s donate button is more than just a tool—it’s a lifeline that connects your mission to the hearts and wallets of your supporters. In 2024, the landscape of online donations continues to evolve, offering a variety of options that cater to different needs and preferences.
Whether you’re a small nonprofit looking for a quick fix or a large organization seeking a seamless, branded experience, there’s a solution out there for you.
Here are the five best options for a donate button and form in 2024.
1. Glass Register
Why Glass Register is the Best Choice
Glass Register is a 100% free platform for nonprofits to collect donations online, allowing organizations to retain the full amount of each contribution.
This platform also offers a sleek, user-friendly interface that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, ensuring that donations are processed efficiently and securely.
Key Features
Zero Fees: Unlike other donate button and form options, Glass Register does not charge any transaction fees. This means that every dollar donated goes directly to your cause, maximizing the impact of each contribution.
User-Friendly Interface: Glass Register is designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for nonprofits to set up and manage their donation processes without the need for extensive technical expertise.
Customizable Donation Forms: With Glass Register, nonprofits can create customizable donation forms that align with their branding and messaging. This personalization can enhance the donor experience and encourage repeat contributions.
Dedicated Support: Glass Register offers dedicated support to assist nonprofits in optimizing their donation processes and addressing any challenges that may arise.
Branding: The donation form lives on your website, and has your branding so it provides a better user experience than options like PayPal.
How It Works
Head over to Glass Register, create your free account, and follow the steps to create your first donation form! Embed the Glass Register donation form directly on your website. The form captures essential donor information and processes payments securely.
2. PayPal Donate Button
Why PayPal is a Popular Choice
PayPal is a household name, and its donate button is a popular choice for nonprofits, especially those looking for a quick and easy setup.
With PayPal, you can add a donate button to your website in just a few minutes, making it an attractive option for smaller organizations or those new to online fundraising.
Key Features
- Ease of Setup: Setting up a PayPal donate button takes as little as 15 minutes.
- Brand Recognition: PayPal is a trusted name, which can help reassure donors.
- Global Reach: PayPal supports multiple currencies, making it easier to accept international donations.
Limitations
While PayPal is convenient, it has some limitations. The donate now button redirects donors to an external PayPal page, which can disrupt the donor journey and potentially reduce conversion rates.
Additionally, there is limited customization available, meaning the donation page won’t match your nonprofit’s branding.
How It Works
To set up a PayPal donate now button, log into your PayPal account, navigate to the “Donate Button” section, and follow the prompts to create and customize your button. Once generated, you can embed the HTML code on your website.
3. Donorbox
Why Donorbox is a Versatile Option
Donorbox offers a versatile solution for nonprofits of all sizes. Its donation forms are highly customizable and can be embedded directly into your website, ensuring a seamless donor experience. Donorbox also supports recurring donations, making it easier to build long-term relationships with your supporters.
Key Features
- Customization: You can customize the donation form to match your website’s branding.
- Recurring Donations: Donorbox supports one-time and recurring donations.
- Integration: Donorbox integrates with various CRM systems, including Salesforce and Mailchimp.
- User-Friendly: The platform is designed to be easy to use for both nonprofits and donors.
How It Works
To get started with Donorbox, sign up for an account and create your donation form. Customize the form to match your branding and embed it on your website using the provided HTML code. Donorbox also offers a pop-up donation form option, which can be triggered by a donate button on your site.
4. Network for Good
Why Network for Good is Ideal for Small to Medium Nonprofits
Network for Good specializes in providing fundraising solutions tailored to small and medium-sized nonprofits. Their donation forms are designed to be simple yet effective, making it easy for nonprofits to start collecting donations online.
Key Features
- Ease of Use: Network for Good’s donation forms are straightforward to set up and use.
- Customization: While not as extensive as some other options, there is still room for customization to match your branding.
- Support: Network for Good offers robust customer support to help you get the most out of their platform.
How It Works
To use Network for Good, sign up for an account and create your donation form. Customize the form to align with your branding and embed it on your website. Network for Good also offers additional fundraising tools, such as event ticketing and peer-to-peer fundraising.
5. Classy
Why Classy is a Premium Option
Classy offers a comprehensive suite of fundraising tools, making it a premium option for larger nonprofits or those looking to scale their online fundraising efforts. Classy’s donation forms are highly customizable and designed to provide an exceptional donor experience.
Key Features
- Advanced Customization: Classy offers extensive customization options, allowing you to create a donation form that perfectly matches your brand.
- Recurring Donations: Classy supports both one-time and recurring donations.
- Analytics: The platform provides detailed analytics and reporting, helping you track the performance of your fundraising campaigns.
- Integration: Classy integrates with various CRM systems, including Salesforce.
How It Works
To get started with Classy, sign up for an account and create your donation form. Customize the form to match your branding and embed it on your website. Classy also offers additional fundraising tools, such as peer-to-peer fundraising and event ticketing.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Donate Button
Choosing the right donate button for your nonprofit is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your fundraising success. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a donate now button:
1. Visibility and Placement
Your donate button should be one of the first things visitors see when they land on your website. Place it in a prominent location, such as the top right corner of your homepage and ensure it’s accessible from every page. This increases the likelihood of conversions by making it easy for donors to find and click.
2. Design and Color
The design and color of your donate button play a vital role in attracting attention. Use bright, high-contrast colors that stand out from the rest of your website. According to Nonprofit Hub, colorful, high-contrast donate buttons perform better than gray buttons.
3. Call to Action
Use compelling, action-oriented language on your donate button. Instead of a generic “Submit,” opt for phrases like “Donate Now,” “Give Today,” or “Support Our Work.” This creates a sense of urgency and encourages immediate action.
4. Mobile Compatibility
With a significant portion of web traffic coming from mobile devices, ensure your donate button and donation form are mobile-friendly. Test your website’s compatibility using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and make adjustments as needed.
5. Integration with CRM
For a seamless donation process, choose a donate now button that integrates with your nonprofit CRM. This ensures that all donations are automatically recorded in your database, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors. The Sumac Donation Webform, for instance, integrates directly with Sumac CRM, making it a top choice for nonprofits.
6. Security
Donors need to feel confident that their payment information is secure. Ensure your donation form is PCI compliant and uses SSL encryption to protect sensitive data. Display security badges and trust signals prominently on your donation page to reassure donors.
7. Customization
A branded donation form that matches the look and feel of your website can significantly enhance the donor experience. Data from Network for Good shows that branded donation forms receive average gifts that are 38% larger than those made through generic pages.
Conclusion
Choosing the right donate button and form for your nonprofit is crucial for maximizing your online donations. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or a fully integrated solution, there’s an option out there for you.
Sumac Donation Webform stands out as the best choice for its seamless integration with Sumac nonprofit CRM, while PayPal offers a quick and easy setup. Donorbox, Network for Good, and Classy each provide unique features that cater to different needs and preferences.
By selecting the right tool, you can provide a seamless and secure donation experience for your supporters, helping you to raise more funds and further your mission.
