2. IF YOUR GROUP DOESN’T HAVE A WEBSITE
If you’d like to have a website, you can get started easily and inexpensively by signing up with one of the larger hosting companies like aPlus.net or GoDaddy.com. They offer starter packages and templates to help get you online. Advantage: low cost, less than $10 a month. Disadvantage: requires time to use tools and set up site.
You could also hire a company to build a customized site for you, either locally or through the internet—search for “web design services.” Advantage: professional design is done for you. Disadvantage: high cost.
If the expense of a customized site is too much, but you need help with design and marketing, try SiteSell.com. This company has a great track record of helping to build successful sites with easy to use design and marketing tools and lots of motivation! Advantage: much lower cost than customized site, about $25 a month, lets you set up a site in minutes. Disadvantages: None really, if you need help with setting up and marketing your website.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up a website, you can still very successfully raise funds online! For example, you could run an online magazine fundraiser. It is very important here, that you have a substantial e-mail list to help with your fundraising efforts. An online magazine fundraiser is one of the most lucrative online fundraisers out there!
With any of these online fundraisers it is very important, that people are reminded on a regular basis to shop through one of these particular online charity malls, or to buy or renew their magazine subscriptions through a specific site. As with other online efforts, having a good size e-mail list will be a major factor in the success of your fundraising campaign!
3. OVERWHELMED? NOT ENOUGH TIME?
If you’re unable to actually start any online fundraising campaign at this point, you can still prepare for it by collecting e-mail addresses from members of your group, potential donors and other interested parties.
