Put Your Ornament on Your Website

While the Internet is fast becoming the greatest communication device for new and searched for information, less than 15% of customers actually put their ornament on their website for public consumption. Organizations have invested a good deal of time and effort (and a little money) into creating what hopefully will be an ever-increasing program for your organization. Whether for fundraising, income, donor recognition or thank you gift why not use this versatile tool in conjunction with your site to not only drive revenue and interest, but increase your brand exposure to the world? There are five main ways to put your ornament on your website:

Retail outlet

Simply put, sell it online! According to National Retail Foundation’s 2008 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey the Internet will influence 33.6 percent of holiday purchases, up from 30.2 percent last year and 28.9 percent in 2006. With more and more people using the Internet for research and comparison shopping, your “virtual store” can attract previously untapped business.

Show giving means getting back

Not every ornament collection is for sale. It might be used as a thank you gift for donors or volunteers. Why not spotlight the current year’s “gift” and a brief explanation of who receives it and why? You may find resources for both donation and volunteering increase as a result.

Entice donations by building loyalty

As mentioned in the previous section, spotlighting a recognition piece on your website may incite new donors. Taken a step further, showcasing an ornament collection as an annual series may cause donors who hesitate to give again to continue to give, if they see what is coming next, and what has been in the past.

Fundraising opportunity

If you use your ornament as a donor or volunteer recognition piece, but find you bought more than you needed, consider selling the rest to the public. This is an added outlet for fundraising. Additionally, selling past years’ ornaments on the website can boost your fundraising efforts.

Encourage new volunteers

People volunteer for your organization because they have found an emotional connection either to the message, the cause, or to an individual in your organization. If your piece is used to thank volunteers, spotlight this on your website. A volunteer would like nothing more than to take a piece of your organization home with them to remember for years to come.