When it comes to switching platforms, you should always look before you leap. To help you make your move, we’re sharing our top 5 considerations for changing fundraising software.
We hear you’re thinking of making some changes.
Good for you!
Maybe you’re frustrated at your software’s limited capabilities.
Perhaps you’re sick of paying for features you don’t have a use for.
Whatever the reason, Raisley is along for the ride, to help find the best fitting platform for you. Even if it’s not ours.
And while a change is as good as a holiday, there are a couple of things to think about before you go mixing it up.🌴
Here are our top considerations when switching fundraising platforms:
Solutions
Maybe this is why you want to switch software. Your current platform doesn’t have the features and functions you need, and you’re looking for new solutions.
Before you start your search, write a list of non-negotiables, and make sure your new platform will tick every box!
💡Think about where you want to be in the future. Where is your organisation headed? Will changing fundraising platforms allow the ‘future you’ to flourish?
Usability
You think you’ve found a flashy new platform. It’s got all the bells and whistles you could ask for, plus more you didn’t even know you needed.
Just because it glitters, doesn’t mean it’s golden!
Changing fundraising software should make life easier - not create new problems. You need a platform that’s flexible and customisable, but user-friendly.
If this new software will require you to spend copious hours re-training staff, is it worth it?
💡 Test the waters. Have team members from different spheres of your organisation test out a demo version so you can get a range of feedback on usability.
🙋♂️ Your accounting crew might be interested in the functionality of reporting and receipts, while your design gurus may want to check out front-end features. And you know that your donor relations reps will want to be all over the safe transfer of donor management data. Your team is much more likely to come to the party if they are involved in the planning!
Integrations
Consider your Tech Stack.
Will it integrate if you switch fundraising software?
Precious tools like your CRM are vital to your organisation, so knowing that this data can be seamlessly incorporated should be priority number one!
Questions to consider:
• Will you be able to easily migrate existing fundraisers and donations?
• Will old traffic be redirected?
• Will SEO rankings be lost?
In short: will switching fundraising platforms reduce or enhance your site’s overall performance and searchability?
💡 Undertake an audit of every extension and tool your organisation uses, to determine whether they will be compatible with the new platform.
🙋♂️ An open API allows you to connect all your favourite marketing tools including Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Salesforce Hotjar, and custom Javascript. No developers required!
Read more about how UNICEF Australia successfully integrated Raisley with Salesforce CRM.
Support
Changing your fundraising platform doesn’t have to be a headache. Like a great pair of shoes, good support will make all the difference.
Consider which form of support will be the best fit for your organisation. Do you want phone support, or prefer email? Is onboarding a must? Perhaps you prefer to have one main point of contact.
💡 If you’re a visual learner, check if your new fundraising platform has any video tutorials available. For example, Raisley has aYouTube Channel, offering a more interactive, step-by-step guide to the features on offer.
🙋♂️ At Raisely, we have a global support team spread across multiple time zones. Wherever you are, whoever you are – we’ll be there to lend a helping hand You can also search the knowledge base of our Support Centre, fully stocked with articles on how to use Raisely.
Budget
All non-profits (regardless of size!) need powerful, online fundraising tools to succeed.
But operating on a small budget doesn’t mean that you should have to compromise on quality.
💡 If you’re currently paying the big bucks for your fundraising software…red flag!
🙋♂️ We’re not in it for the money. To make Raisely accessible to organisations of all sizes, we offer our core platform for free.
That’s right. It’s free. Forever.
Raisley is built to grow with you, and when you’re ready, you can take your fundraising further with add-ons.
Are You Ready?
Ending any relationship can be difficult - we humans are creatures of habit.
Switching your fundraising platform is no different.
Don’t let those feelings affect your decision to switch fundraising platforms.
It can be hugely beneficial to step outside your comfort zone, especially if it’s a place you have now outgrown. And, if you need us, Raisley will be here to help, every step of the way.
Read about how Beyond Blue & Partners in Health Canada switched to Raisley…and they haven’t looked back.
- Beyond Blue successfully migrated all fundraising onto Raisely - and raised over $2.5 million!
- Partners In Health Canada attracted, nurtured, and retained more donors with Raisely
If you’re curious to hear what others have to say, you can read some of our favourite customer reviews from 2021 (Awww – We love you guys too!)
Intrigued? Request a personalised demo and see if Raisely is the right fit for your organisation. We can’t wait to hear about your next fundraising campaign. 🥳
Ready to create your
next campaign?
Hannah is a Pencil + Crown storyteller, small business owner & teacher. She lives on the beautiful coast of Tasmania, where her love for the ocean inspires her.
