Most donors are already ready to give, but too often, nonprofits lose them simply because the giving experience isn’t as easy as it should be.

Our role as fundraisers is to change that.

But if you’re a small nonprofit or solo fundraiser, choosing (or switching) fundraising software can feel like a pretty daunting decision when you don’t have much time to spare.

That’s why I’ve compiled six simple questions to help you pick the right fundraising platform that will meet your needs and prevent donors from dropping off along the way.

 

The Real Cost of Choosing the Wrong Fundraising Platform

Ever stop to think about what the wrong fundraising platform is actually costing your nonprofit? It might be more than you realise…

The wrong platform can cost you:

 

• Time you don’t have, spent on manual tasks, your platform should be handling for you
• Donor data you’re missing or not using, which makes it harder to build long-term relationships
• Actual income, both in platform fees and missed giving opportunities
• Donor trust, especially if the giving experience feels clunky or frustrating
• Missed follow-up, where people fall through the cracks instead of feeling seen and valued
• Extra admin work that your platform should be handling 

6 Questions to ask before committing to a fundraising platform

Before you invest your time and money into an online giving platform, it’s worth running it through these six simple questions first.

1. Does it support recurring giving?

Did you know recurring donors give about 42% more each year than one-time donors?

Recurring giving is the foundation for consistent, dependable funding. That’s why your platform matters.

A good platform makes it easy for supporters to set up recurring gifts and manage their own payments without needing your help every time.

For example, platforms like Donorbox offer a donor portal where supporters can log in to update payment details, adjust their giving plan, and download receipts on their own.
Donorbox also offers multiple giving intervals so donors can choose what works for them. Check it out in this donation form:

2. Does it offer different online donation experiences?

There’s more than one way to give online, and the right option really depends on your goals and what kind of experience you want to create for your donors.

Check for these types of online donations:

Embed forms: Add donation forms directly to your website so the giving experience feels seamless and fully aligned with your brand.

Hosted donation pages: Create a customised donation page that’s hosted by your fundraising platform. This is a great option if you don’t have a website or want a quick, easy setup.

Peer-to-peer pages: Let your supporters create and share their own fundraising pages with their networks. This is great for expanding your reach and bringing in new donors directly from your existing community.

Crowdfunding pages: Build a campaign around a specific goal with visuals, storytelling, a goal meter, and even a donor wall. This works especially well for larger projects you want to promote via social media.

3. Can you easily access and export your donor data?

If you’re a one-person fundraising team, it’s even more important to have quick, easy access to your data so you can build stronger relationships with your donors.
Good donor data helps you send timely thank-you messages, segment your supporters for more personalised communication, and get clear insights that help you make the right decisions for your organisation.

For example, if you notice one-time donors who have given before but haven’t switched to recurring giving, you could follow up with a simple invite to make their impact ongoing, along with a personal thank-you and an easy way to start monthly giving.

4. For UK charities, does it support Gift Aid?

If you’re a nonprofit in the UK, Gift Aid is a great way to boost donations by 25% at no extra cost.

Gift Aid allows eligible UK charities to claim extra money from the government on qualifying donations, simply based on a donor’s tax status.

Make sure your fundraising platform makes it easy for UK donors to indicate whether their gift qualifies for Gift Aid.
This can look like a simple tick box, like on this UK nonprofit donation page hosted by Donorbox:

Platforms like Donorbox also make it easy to manage and track submissions on the backend, so you’re not drowning in spreadsheets.

5. Does it support international donors and currencies?

When your platform supports global donations, it naturally opens the door for more generosity and relationships. It’s important to pick a platform that feels trustworthy to people, no matter where they’re giving from.

Look for features like multiple currencies, language options, and international payment methods so donors don’t feel like they’re navigating something unfamiliar.

I love how Donorbox forms automatically show payment options based on a donor’s location, including region-specific methods like SEPA and iDEAL. It also supports over 50 currencies and more than a dozen languages, creating a trustworthy giving experience for your international donors.

6. Is the fee structure clear and fair?

And finally, it’s worth making sure you’re actually getting real value for what you’re paying. “Cheap” or even “free” isn’t always the better option.

A lot of free plans still include platform or processing fees. And sometimes what’s labelled as “free” relies on a tipping model, which can feel confusing for donors or even break down trust.

It helps to choose a platform that’s upfront about pricing. You should be able to clearly see fees and any add-ons right on their website, without needing to book a demo or talk to sales. Your time matters, and transparency makes a big difference.

30-Minute Platform Audit You Can Do This Week

Is your fundraising software still the right fit?
Here’s a quick checklist to evaluate your current platform and spot areas that may need improvement

•  Donation experience: Complete a test donation yourself and walk through the process like a donor. See if it feels smooth, clear, and trustworthy.
• Mobile experience: Open your donation form on your phone and check for anything that feels clunky or awkward on a smaller screen.
• Recurring giving: Make sure donors can easily start, update, or cancel recurring donations without needing to contact you.
• Gift Aid (UK charities): If applicable, confirm your platform supports Gift Aid and that the process is simple and easy for donors to complete.
• Donor data: Export your data and review it. Check if it’s clean, organised/segmented, and actually helpful for reporting and decision-making.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right fundraising platform when you’re a one-person development team isn’t just about technical software; it’s about your mission.

The right tools should give you time back, deepen donor relationships, and keep your focus where it belongs: on the people and purpose you’re serving.

And as you do, know that I’m cheering you on and hoping you find systems that support both your impact and your capacity.

Need help?

My specialised online fundraising services for non-profits go beyond fundraising. It’s about setting up your organisation for success, using the right tools and platforms to inspire action and foster a dedicated community of supporters.

Together, let’s transform your online platform into a powerful tool that amplifies your impact and drives results.

Book a free call to learn more and embark on your journey towards a more impactful and engaging online presence.

Here’s what I can help you with:

• Compelling copywriting and content writing: Create captivating website copy, engaging blog posts, and effective email marketing materials that resonate with your audience.
• Strategic email marketing: Design targeted email campaigns to nurture leads, build relationships, and foster ongoing supporter engagement.
• Streamlined online donation set-up: Simplify the process for your supporters to donate online, maximising your fundraising potential.
• Website creation tailored for non-profits: Develop a user-friendly and visually appealing website that showcases your mission, stories of impact, and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for your dedication to driving positive change. Let’s embark on this digital journey and amplify your charitable endeavours together!