Summary: Your giving page is where your church’s vision becomes actionable. To ensure you engage donors rather than losing them in a maze of pages, follow these strategic tips to optimize your website for generosity, security, and vision.
1. Make it Easy to Give
If a donor has to search for how to give, they are less likely to follow through. Simplify the process with these updates:
Add Your Online Giving Button: Update your giving page with your new Tithely giving button or direct Link. Ensure it is prominent and easy to find.
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Include Clear Instructions: Add a simple explanation to guide new donors. You can use this text:
"To make a secure, one-time or recurring gift, click the button below. For enhanced security and giving simplicity, create an account by clicking on the login/signup link in the top right corner."
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Promote Text Giving: Clearly display your church's text giving number alongside instructions. Use this script:
"Securely make a gift by texting GIVE to [YOUR TEXT GIVING #]. You’ll be asked to register if it's your first time. Don’t forget to save our giving number in your phone! You can always text EDIT to update your information, set up a recurring gift, and check the status of a gift."
2. Talk About Security
Donors want to know their financial data is safe. Building trust increases the likelihood of digital engagement. Consider adding the following statement to your footer or giving page:
"All sensitive financial information is stored with the highest bank-level security. Your phone number will never be sold, traded, or given to third parties. You will only be texted to confirm your giving."
3. Cast a Vision
Giving is a sacred space, not just a financial transaction. Your website should reflect this as an act of worship.
Share Your Philosophy: Remind your church why they are called to give. Include the specific scripture passages your church uses to teach about stewardship.
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Be Transparent & Celebratory: Transparency builds trust, and trust is the cornerstone of relationships.
Share Results: Donors want to know, "How is my giving being used?" and "Is it making a difference?"
Celebrate Wins: Did a special offering fund a new outreach? Share that story on the page so donors can see the fruit of their generosity.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why should I include Text Giving on the website? Text giving is one of the fastest ways for people to give, especially younger generations. Having the instructions clearly listed on your site allows members to save the number into their contacts for future use.
Where is the best place to put the "Give" button? Ideally, your "Give" button should be in the main navigation menu (top right) so it is visible on every page of your website, not just the homepage.
How do I show donors that giving is safe? Explicitly mentioning "Bank Level Security" and your privacy policy regarding phone numbers (as shown in Tip #2) helps alleviate fears for first-time digital donors.