Search engine optimization (SEO) for Charity organisations is the process of optimizing your website to increase its visibility when people are looking for events, training, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, or other events related to your mission.

Find out how SEO works and how it can help you grow your influence, expand your reach, and advance your fundraising efforts. Grow your Charity organisation’s online presence and climb up the search results with these SEO tips.

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1. Use the Right Target Keywords

Increase the relevance of your content by focusing on a keyword or by using keywords to motivate the topic of your article. That way, you can tell Google the main purpose of your content and, along with it, the type of search queries you want it to rank for.

Remember, you are targeting a human audience, not search engines. When writing, keep the keyword in mind, but don’t feel the need to include it unnaturally in your content.

Be sure to avoid:

Unnecessary repetition of words or sentences.

Add Words From Context

Insert blocks with similar keywords

Use keywords that are unrelated to the topic of the page.

Identify high-quality keywords for your Charity organisation by researching the search terms most relevant to your organization and potential sponsors. In addition, you need to understand search volume (average number of searches per month) and difficulty or competition (how many other websites are competing for the same keywords). Various keyword reporting tools can provide you with information about these factors.

SEO Tools for Charity organisations

There are many SEO keyword tools out there with different price tags and a variety of features that the casual user may not need. Many industry favorites like SEMRush or Moz offer free trials so you can familiarize yourself with the software before investing. Depending on your budget and needs, you can also opt for the free version of one of these more robust platforms.

These SEO tools will help you to easily find your target keywords and search volume. You see the current ranking of your website and the websites that are currently ranking for your target keywords. You can also track your rank over time to understand your progress.

Expert advice

Attract traffic from the most qualified donors by targeting keywords that explain the cause of your Charity organisation. Instead of targeting only high-volume keywords that don’t necessarily relate to your page, focus on phrases that reflect your Charity organisation’s mission.

2. Create Quality Content

Google wants you to give people the information they’re looking for, and quickly. Don’t allow your website visitors to navigate through complicated navigation or large blocks of text to find what they’re looking for. Instead, present the information in a way that is legible, engaging and resonates with the reader.

3. Follow the best practices on the page

Use on-page elements to help Google understand your content and the types of keywords you want the content to rank for.

“Onpage” refers to SEO best practices that are carried out correctly on your website and that affect the way Google crawls each of your pages. We like to classify these elements as:

       Title tag

       A title tag is one that appears as clickable blue text in SERPs and at the top of your Internet browser. When it comes to classifying signals it appears that small objects carry a lot of weight.

It is important to create a unique and relevant title tag for each page that includes your target keyword and your business brand.

Use your keyword at the far left of the title tag, add your organisation’s name at the end, and try to keep the tag between 55 and 60 characters long so it doesn’t get cut off by Google.

Meta Description

       A meta description is text that appears in SERPs under the title tag to summarize the content of your page. Although they have no direct effect on your ranking, a well-written meta description can lead to high click-through rates. This will have a positive effect on your organic ranking and vice versa.

4. Optimize Your User Experience

Prioritize user experience to meet the needs of your visitors, reduce your bounce rate, and signal to Google that your content is crawlable.

To improve your user experience, make sure to:

Keep website loading time less than 5 seconds so that readers don’t get distracted

Provide intuitive navigation to show your visitors where to find the most important information

Make your content easy to read and understand

Organize your content to make it easy to find

       Do you know the four principles of accessibility on the Internet?

In response to the amount of traffic generated by mobile devices, Google decided to prioritize the index of its mobile devices first. This simply means that Google mostly uses the mobile version of content when ranking, which confirms that a mobile-optimized website is more important than ever.

5. Beware of Off-Page SEO

       A trusted source may link to your page, which means another site links to one of your web pages through its content. 

Getting backlinks improves your ranking, increases your credibility and increases your visibility.

One way to get links is to look at news articles or websites when you host an event or start a new campaign. 

Ask to be considered for upcoming articles or events to include in the calendar. 

Here are some additional tips:-

Take advantage of local SEO opportunities

Although often overlooked, local SEO is an important part of your overall strategy.

Local SEO involves building or claiming your Google My Business listing to ensure that your organization uses keywords with localized qualifiers for branded keywords associated with your organization’s name or for local searches.

Stay up to date on SEO trends

Stay up to date with industry updates and trends by following the Google Webmaster Center and other industry blogs. 

Some of our favorites are Search Engine Land, Moz, and Search Engine Journal.

ALSO READ

• 5 Reasons to Support Charitable Trusts
• 6 Types Of NGO
• 7 List of NGOs that Support Education in Nigeria(Opens in a new browser tab)

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Social media has been praised for its numerous uses in marketing and brand awareness. One of the most popular platforms is Instagram with over 1 billion users, you are sure to reach your targeted audience if used strategically.

Below are 7 tips and tricks of Instagram for nonprofits organizations that are sure to take your organization’s content and marketing up a notch.

1. NAIL YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

The profile is the first thing a visitor will see, it comprises of your usernames, bio (a short description of your page), category and also a link. Express your organization’s aims in the bio using key words, and also ensure that your page is public so it can be viewed by anyone.

2. ACTIVELY USE ALL INSTAGRAM TOOLS

To increase your reach you should consistently be using all of Instagram’s tools such as reels, IGTV, stories, highlights as well as the Go Live option. Instagram encourages the use of these features so your content is bound to be promoted organically.

3. CREATE FUN, EDUCATIVE AND RELATABLE INSTAGRAM CONTENT

As much as you are trying to reach an audience in order to raise funds, get volunteers or just inform the public about your cause, Instagram is still a social platform and your need to keep your followers engaged and also attract new followers, these followers will eventually convert to leads which in turn can convert to donations and supports.

Try dishing out contents relating to what is on trend while maintaining your principles and keeping your followers engaged.

4. POST MORE VIDEOS

According to the Instagram Engagement Report, videos perform better than pictures or carousels in terms of engagements and reach. This is a glaring reason why you should be incorporating more videos to your content as they are seen by more people and the goal is for your post to reach as many people as possible.

5. UTILIZE HASHTAGS AND STORY STICKERS

Hashtags are relevant keywords or phrases that are used to categorize content. If used strategically, they can expose your Instagram page to new and potential followers but if used wrongly, they can harm your page’s reach and ultimately reduce engagements. The trick to using effective hashtags is to research on groups of hashtags ahead of time, these groups should include a combination of hashtags with large number of posts (ranging from 700k – 2M ), medium number of posts (ranging from 100k -700k) and small number of posts (ranging from 20k – 100k). 

Avoid using hashtags with extremely large number of posts as your content may not rank in them, stick to smaller ones to improve your visibility.

Story stickers perform fairly similar functions as hashtags, adding stickers like the ‘donate’ can expose your page to individuals that are actively searching for content related to charity or just searching for a charity to donate to.

6. SCHEDULE YOUR POSTS

Taking time out to plan your posts can save you a lot of time; it might sound strange but it has proven to be true. Try scheduling your posts ahead of time, it will definitely save you a ton of time and energy and will also give you more creative control over your Instagram page.

7. CONSIDER USING ADS

Organic reach has reduced drastically overtime and most businesses turn to Instagram ads to promote their contents and also to attract potential customers. Including ads in your marketing budget will go a long way in helping your organization reach more people that might in turn support your cause.

*BONUS TIP: Sync your Instagram to all other social media, so that users  from other social media platforms can find your organization. Remember, the key is to reach and engage with as many people as possible.

We have come to the end of 7 tips and tricks of instagram for nonprofits organizations. Read more on tips and tricks.

ALSO READ

• 5 SEO tips for a charity organisation
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• 12 Small Things that Make Big Impacts
• NGOs in Nigeria – Is Crowdfunding A viable option?

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It is also no news that organisations focused on productivity today turn to technology to increase the ease at which work is done and are constantly looking to deliver products and services through digital technology, so why shouldn’t nonprofits be part of this innovation?

Technology generally refers to the use of scientific knowledge or processes in business and industry. It often encompasses systems or methods that can be used for practical purposes and improvement of life. Although these improvements sometimes come at a cost that might be steep, especially since nonprofit organisations run on tight budgets when compared to the cost of running activities without these advancements, they are well worth it. One might even consider them more efficient than having to resort to manual means.

This article reviews a few ways to use technology for nonprofits in 2021 to improve operations, increase impact, and ultimately ensure a hitch-free experience for both team members and donors.

Fundraising

Fundraising for nonprofits in 2021 is easier with the use of technology. From sending e-mail campaigns; to creating social media campaigns and accepting donations, so much can be done in so little time using technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic further reemphasised this as several crowdfunding apps —such as GoFundMe, donate-ng or JustGiving —that can receive payments securely from donors around the world were used for fundraising for personal causes, social justice and charitable causes in various countries. Campaigns such as Captain Tom Moore’s 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS and OGRA Covid19 Stimulus in Nigeria were successful as a result of the effective use of technology by nonprofits.

Web & E-mail Communication

Nonprofits now turn to technology to reach and communicate with the far ends of the world. Websites and e-mails have become very effective technology tools for nonprofits to communicate with their staff, volunteers, donors or beneficiaries. According to the Global NGO Technology Report, 92% of nonprofits worldwide have a website, and of those number, 63% regularly send e-mail updates and fundraising appeals to donors and supporters.

Using websites and e-mails to communicate with a nonprofits target audience is something that should be encouraged. Information is consumed digitally today, and nonprofits should embrace technology to inform the public about the organisation’s vision, mission, impact and recent activities.

Meetings, Webinars and Conferences

Technological advancements allow for flexibility and ease of meeting, eliminating the need to be physically present for an interview or travel across the state to attend a conference because all that can be done with a mobile phone, tablet or computer.

In 2020, as a result of the pandemic, many conferences and meetings had to be done virtually as various social distancing rules did not allow for large gatherings. Many businesses and nonprofits found that though the meetings were conducted virtually, they were as effective as face-to-face meetings in many situations. Also, the added advantage of additional savings of cost, energy and time make it more appealing to nonprofits today.

Increased Reach in Marketing and Awareness

Marketing and awareness is another effective use-case of technology for nonprofits in 2021. The process of running a successful fundraiser can never be as efficient without technology. From brainstorming within teams to setting up social media campaigns for awareness, technology is integrated into the core of these processes.

Reports show that 90% of NGOs worldwide regularly use social media to engage their supporters and donors, and 94% of NGOs around the world agree that social media is effective for creating online brand awareness.
These days, individuals do not want to only donate, but they also want to be involved in the process. They want to see how their donations change lives, and this can only be fulfilled with the aid of technology. Particularly, social media use helps nonprofits share information about their causes more cost-effectively and allow them to reach a wider geographical audience.

Effective Organisation and Planning

Running a nonprofit requires careful planning and detailed organisation of tasks and deliverables.

Organisation is vital, especially when it comes to running a nonprofit organisation effectively. Having all your information (including volunteers, staff, donor, and nonprofit’s information) in an organised database will save you all your essential resources like time and energy, especially when trying to verify and cross-reference details.

Something as little as scheduling a wrong meeting or even forgetting to make a phone call can cost a nonprofit a lot. All these can be avoided with the use of digital calendars and schedules. Just like having your very own assistant that reminds you of all your important engagements, the only difference is that you do not have to pay your digital calendar an hourly wage as these apps are free most of the time.

There you have it, five main reasons why you should use technology for nonprofits. From increased efficiency to brand awareness, the potentials in technology for nonprofits are endless, and it is an improvement you should consider for your organisation. Digital innovation and the internet is here to stay, and your nonprofit should embrace them.

The post Using Technology for Nonprofits in 2021 appeared first on Donate-ng Blog.

Non-profit marketing success

It is no exaggeration that non-profit organizations function very similarly to for-profit businesses. While the goal is not to sell a product or service, the organization’s survival and success still depend on outreach, engagement, and financial contributions. As such, non-profits and for-profits share some fundamental marketing goals:

• Public awareness
• A positive online reputation
• An appealing expense
• Continued interest and support by interested parties

A donor is certainly not a customer in any traditional sense, but it should be obvious why they’re very similar. In this context, then, any online fundraiser needs to work toward non-profit marketing success to attract one-time and recurring donors. 

Marketing factors to consider

Having established that marketing is still very valuable for non-profit fundraisers, let us explore the key factors of non-profit marketing success. 

Inbound marketing

The inbound marketing model is a tried-and-tested solution for businesses, and it certainly holds value for fundraisers too. In essence, it consists of 3 distinct goals:

Attract

Generate valuable leads; make yourself known as a cause worth supporting.

Engage

Interact with acquired leads; assure them your goals align.

Delight

Satisfy; make your donors happy with their contribution and assure them it assists with their intentions.

It is equally noteworthy that the inbound marketing system is not simply a short-term tool for non-profit marketing success. Instead, it seeks to establish long-lasting relationships with donors, as recurring donors are as valuable for non-profits as loyal customers are to brands. Studies find that the average one-time donor contributes between $120 and $130, while recurring donors donate approximately $53 a month, or $636 a year. Thus, inbound marketing is an essential model to consider as you craft your marketing strategy.

Challenges of non-profit marketing success

Next, let us briefly touch on the 3 main challenges most non-profit organizations face.

Lack of funding

Roughly 60% of all non-profit organizations report some degree of financial shortcomings.

Lack of skills

Nearly 50% cite a relative lack of internal skills toward successful outreach efforts.

A need for a change in culture

Finally, roughly 45% report a perceived need for a change in culture as a hurdle toward reaching their goals.

Unclear CTAs, convoluted site structure, inconsistent messaging

Finally, consider the immense success of digital marketing agencies such as Digital Dot with non-profit organizations’ sites and email campaigns. This is in no small part because many such efforts face hardships in presenting clear, appealing calls to action (CTAs), maintaining a straightforward, convincing site structure, and delivering consistent, alluring messaging. On all of those fronts, it should be clear that non-profit fundraisers need proper marketing strategies to succeed.

Key steps towards non-profit marketing success

Having highlighted all of the above factors, let us explore the key steps you can take to ensure non-profit marketing success.

Define your goals

The tried-and-tested S.M.A.R.T. approach to setting goals in marketing efforts applies to non-profits as well. The acronym stands for the following key points:

1. Specific: set specific, clearly worded, and defined goals.
2. Measurable: set measurable goals against which you can gauge success.
3. Attainable: aim for realistic, attainable goals.
4. Relevant: choose goals that are relevant to your organization and audience.
5. Time-bound: set clear time-bound goals and establish fitting deadlines.

With this established mindset in mind, you can begin crafting your strategies on a sound basis. Furthermore, you can more confidently review your strategies and return to your S.M.A.R.T. goals for recalibration.

Segment and profile your audiences

Next, you should take care to treat your donors as customers in terms of exposure and lead acquisition. This may be a crude parallel to make, as you don’t seek donors to profit from them, but donors have different group profiles showing different behavioral patterns.

As such, you should carefully segment your potential audience and tailor your marketing efforts to them. Consider all factors that make up audience profiles, from gender and age to education and income, as well as any other relevant information. Your non-profit marketing success hinges on such insights.

Create compelling, engaging content

Having segmented and profiled your optimal audience, your marketing efforts should then focus on creating appealing content for your intended audience. Consider bold, clear visuals that incite urgency; different types of content, from blogs to video and images; different social media platforms that resonate with your audience better. Use your insights to create compelling, tailor-made content to attract your potential donors more effectively.

Consider the ideal channels for non-profit marketing success

Moreover, you should actively consider the ideal channels for your marketing efforts. For example, different social media come with distinctly different characteristics:

• Active user sizes
• Prominent demographics
• Affinity for different types of content

As such, you should examine different platforms and see which ones best fit your campaign. Twitter’s time-sensitive text form, Pinterest’s users’ age and gender, or Instagram’s focus on visual content may be the one final step toward non-profit marketing success.

Analyze your marketing performance

Finally, you should keep in mind that no marketing campaign ever truly finishes. Instead, you should continuously monitor your results in measurable terms and have your findings inform current and future decisions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s very likely that analyzing non-profit fundraising efforts in such terms may be uncomfortable. However, it should now be clear that even the noblest of non-profit charities overlap in needs and scope with traditional marketing. Thus, you should likely examine your efforts under this scope and let reliable marketing strategies help you make positive changes to the world.

The post Non-profit marketing success: A simple guide appeared first on Donate-ng Blog.