When someone decides to give to your organization, that moment is powerful and fragile. The right website design can help maintain their momentum, while poor design elements can quickly turn a generous impulse into a missed opportunity. Your donation experience, from the first click to the final confirmation, plays a critical role in turning interest into impact.
In this post, we’ll break down the most common donation experience pitfalls and how to fix them, so you can make every donor journey smooth, trustworthy, and conversion-ready.
Your Donate Button Is Hard to Find
🚩 The Problem
If a supporter has to hunt for your donate button, you’ve already lost them. Some sites bury it in the footer, tuck it into a dropdown menu, or leave it off interior pages altogether.
✅ The Fix
Make your donate button:
- Visible on every page, ideally in the top navigation bar
- Sticky on mobile if possible (stays visible as you scroll)
- Consistent in label and placement
A well-placed, high-contrast button in the top-right corner is still the gold standard.
It Doesn’t Stand Out Visually
🚩 The Problem
If your donate button blends in with every other link or uses low-contrast colors, users won’t instinctively know where to click.
✅ The Fix
- Use a color that contrasts with your site’s palette
- Increase size and padding for easy clicking
- Use simple, strong language like “Donate Now” or “Give Today”
Don’t be afraid to make it bold, it’s the one button that should never be subtle.
Vague or Passive Language
🚩 The Problem
Buttons labeled “Support,” “Help,” or “Learn More” don’t tell the user what action to take or why it matters.
✅ The Fix
Use active, specific phrases that connect giving with impact:
- “Donate Now to Feed a Family”
- “Give Today—Change a Life”
- “Support Our Mission to End Homelessness”
Language should evoke both urgency and emotion.
If your donation form feels like doing taxes, it’s time to simplify.
Your Donation Page Is Confusing or Overwhelming
🚩 The Problem
Long forms, too many choices, unclear payment flows, or a cluttered layout can all lead to drop-offs.
✅ The Fix
- Keep it simple—ask only for essential info
- Offer suggested amounts with impact statements (e.g., “$25 provides a week of meals”)
- Ensure it’s mobile-optimized and loads quickly
There’s No Reinforcement of Impact
🚩 The Problem
If visitors don’t know what their gift will accomplish, they’ll hesitate or abandon the process entirely.
✅ The Fix
- Add short, tangible impact statements
- Include an image or quote from someone served
- Highlight why giving now matters
People don’t give to organizations, they give to outcomes.
Missing Trust Signals
🚩 The Problem
In today’s digital world, donors are cautious. If they don’t see signs that your site is secure and credible, they may not follow through.
✅ The Fix
- Display your 501(c)(3) status
- Use SSL and show a padlock icon or “Secure Payment” badge
- Include donor testimonials, partner logos, or ratings (e.g., Guidestar, Charity Navigator)
The more you show that others trust you, the more likely new visitors are to do the same.
Letting the Data Slip Away
🚩 The Problem
Your donation form might be collecting gifts but if it’s not sending the data to your CRM, you’re missing the chance to build lasting donor relationships.
✅ The Fix
- Choosing a donation platform that integrates seamlessly with your CRM (e.g., Bloomerang, Fundraise Up, Donorbox)
- Mapping essential fields like name, email, gift amount, frequency, and fund designation
- Automating data syncs to avoid manual entry and potential errors
- Using CRM data to trigger timely, personalized thank-yous and stewardship actions
- Regularly testing the integration to ensure every gift is captured correctly
Final Takeaway
Your donation experience and overall website design, starting with the button and ending with a thank-you, can either inspire action or quietly lose support. Small changes in design, language, and flow can lead to big gains in conversions and donor trust. Take the time to walk through your own donation process. If it feels unclear, clunky, or uninspiring, your supporters likely feel the same. Fixing it isn’t just about design, it’s about advancing your mission.
