Guide: How to maximize fundraising in 2023 with mobile-friendly websites
Dive into 2023 with a refreshed approach to fundraising – mobile optimization. As mobile usage skyrockets, your organization’s ability to attract and retain donors hinges on providing a seamless mobile experience. Here’s what matters and what you need to know!
Introduction
Imagine the following two situations: A high-powered executive could be catching up on industry trends while waiting for her flight, and a bustling startup founder could be researching potential partnerships on his phone during his morning coffee. Mobile is not just a trend; it’s the new normal for at least a decade now, if not even longer. In this world, a mobile-friendly website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity – especially when fundraising is the objective.
In this post, we are exploring the importance of having a mobile-friendly, responsive website in fundraising efforts for think-tanks, NGOs and similar organizations.
If I had to choose one lesson from my years in the digital product design and development industry, it would be this: A mobile-optimized website is your organization’s best friend. Why, you may ask? Let’s break it down.
Mobile usage is the unstoppable juggernaut
Just the other day, I found myself stuck in a rather long queue at the hospital. Naturally, I turned to my smartphone to pass the time, quickly becoming immersed in catching up on the news, checking emails, and even making a donation to an NGO I support. This personal anecdote is a tiny speck in a sea of mobile interactions happening every second, of every minute, of every day, worldwide. And I was delighted that I could use Apple Pay to make my payments and donations. No friction, simple, and easy!
In 2023, a staggering number of people access the internet through their mobile devices, making mobile optimization essential. In July of 2023 – that was close to 57% of all Internet users. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re at risk of losing a significant portion of your potential audience and donors.
The advent of mobile-friendly web design was never just a fad but a strategic response to the evolving digital user behavior. In 2020, Google announced and then implemented mobile-first indexing, meaning Google predominantly uses a website’s mobile version for indexing and ranking.
Consequently, if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, its search engine visibility could dramatically drop, affecting your organization’s reach and potential to engage with the target audience.
The mobile-friendly advantage – it’s all about user experience
Think about the last time you navigated a website that wasn’t mobile-friendly. Pinching, zooming, squinting – not exactly a user-friendly experience, is it? Now imagine if that was your organization’s website a potential donor was struggling with. Not a pretty picture.
But when a website is optimized for mobile, it transforms the user experience. Text is readable, images are clear, and navigation is a breeze. Mobile-optimized websites are fast, secure, and offer intuitive user interfaces. It’s the difference between a handshake and a high-five – both serve a purpose, but one is just more fun!
Five key areas to focus on when building a mobile-friendly website
By focusing on these five areas, you’ll be well on your way to creating a mobile-friendly website that not only looks great but also performs well and offers a superior user experience. This, in turn, can boost your fundraising efforts and help your organization reach its goals.
And we will talk about that, too!
Responsive design is your foundation
One of the first things to consider when creating a mobile-friendly website is the need for a responsive design. This type of design ensures that your site’s layout, images, and functionalities adjust seamlessly to fit various screen sizes. So whether your audience is using a desktop, a tablet, or a smartphone, they will have a consistent user experience.
Make speed a priority
Another crucial element to consider is the load speed of your website. If your site takes forever to load, users will leave and probably never come back. This is where techniques like Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) and lazy loading of images come into play. These can significantly improve your site’s load speed, enhancing the user experience and reducing the chance of visitors bouncing away.
Navigation should be a breeze
A mobile-friendly website needs to make navigation easy for its users. They should be able to explore and find the information they need without needing to scroll excessively or resort to pinching and zooming. When the navigation is intuitive and user-friendly, visitors are more likely to stay and interact with your site longer.
Focus on readability and clickability
Texts on your website should be easy to read without users needing to zoom in. Additionally, any links or buttons should be large enough to tap easily, with ample space between them to prevent accidental clicks. These may seem like small details, but they make a significant difference in user experience.
Streamline your donation forms
Lastly, if you’re a non-profit or a think tank relying on fundraising, your donation forms should be a key focus. These forms need to be short, straightforward, and easy to fill out on a small screen. Integrating popular mobile payment solutions can also enhance the donor’s experience by making transactions quick and effortless.
How mobile optimization bolsters fundraising efforts of B2B organizations and think tanks?
Now, you might be wondering – how does mobile optimization tie in with fundraising for B2B organizations, companies and think tanks? It’s quite simple, really.
These entities rely heavily on cultivating relationships with other organizations, potential funders, and thought leaders who value professionalism and appreciate seamless, user-friendly experiences. A mobile-optimized website opens up avenues for these decision-makers to engage with your content, services, and mission anytime, anywhere. They could be in transit, during a coffee break, or in between meetings. Having access to your resources in the palm of their hand makes it easier for them to stay informed about your activities and developments.
But it doesn’t stop there. A well-optimized mobile website speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail. It sends a strong message that you value your audience’s time and are committed to providing them with the best possible user experience. In my experience, I’ve seen how this level of professionalism can significantly improve relationships and open up new opportunities.
When it comes to the donation process, a mobile-optimized website is a champ. It makes giving so easy, so secure, and so quick, that it’s practically frictionless. Your supporters won’t need to run to their desktops to make a difference – they can do it right from their phones.
For B2B businesses and corporations, often a significant source of funding for think tanks, a mobile-friendly website can facilitate relationships by making it easier for potential corporate partners to learn about your work, understand the benefits of partnership, and engage with your organization. I’ve seen it time and again – if they can easily access this information on their mobile device, they’re more likely to consider supporting your organization.
And let’s not forget about networking. In the world of B2B, networking plays a vital role in fundraising. Mobile-optimized websites allow for seamless integration with social media platforms, enabling organizations to share content quickly and effectively across these networks. This makes it easier for potential donors or partners to share your organization’s mission and work within their networks, indirectly boosting your fundraising efforts.
So, as you can see, a mobile-friendly website is not just about looking good on a smartphone or a tablet. It’s about meeting your audience where they are, improving their interaction with your organization, and ultimately making it easier for them to support your cause. In the world of think tanks and B2B organizations, this can translate into better relationships, improved funding, and greater impact.
Next steps
As the world grows increasingly mobile, optimizing your website for mobile use is no longer an option – it’s a must. It’s the key to enhancing user experience, building credibility, and boosting fundraising efforts. In the B2B world, mobile optimization can mean the difference between being an also-ran and a frontrunner.
And here are the 4 key takeaways that will help organizations, think-tanks and NGOs looking to benefit from a responsive, mobile-friendly website.
Firstly, it’s about accessibility and engagement. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve referred back to a thought-provoking article or whitepaper on my phone during a meeting or a coffee break. In these moments, a mobile-optimized website is a gold mine of information at your fingertips.
Secondly, a mobile-friendly website is the digital equivalent of wearing a sharp suit to a business meeting. It reflects professionalism and attention to detail, bolstering your organization’s credibility in the eyes of potential donors and partners.
Thirdly, a mobile-optimized website streamlines the donation process. It makes it easy for supporters to make a contribution on-the-go without having to wait until they’re seated at their desktop. This removal of barriers can significantly boost your fundraising efforts.
Lastly, a mobile-optimized site provides potential corporate sponsors and partners with a seamless experience to learn about your mission, understand the benefits of partnership, and engage with your organization.
Free consultation?
If you don’t have a mobile-friendly, responsive website yet, time to go mobile is now, because, in the world of B2B, NGOs and think tanks, accessibility, engagement, and seamless user experience translate into better relationships, improved funding, and greater impact. Let’s embrace the mobile-first approach and maximize the potential of our fundraising efforts. It’s a win-win for all.
We offer a free consultation for NGOs, think-tanks and businesses looking to improve their fundraising activities through modern, mobile-friendly websites. Let’s connect and we’ll get back to you!