Top Donation Page Design Mistakes to Avoid

What’s good, y'all? John D. Saunders here — you know the vibes!

We're diving into something every nonprofit needs to master: creating a landing page that drives donations. I'll break down key strategies and highlight common mistakes that can kill conversions, so you can optimize your donation page and start seeing real results.

Let's dive in!

Mistakes That Kill Donation Page Conversions

When building a donation page, a few missteps can cost you valuable support. 

Overwhelming donors with too many form fields can scare them away, so it's crucial to keep it simple and straightforward. Forms that drag on for multiple steps often lead to drop-offs before completion, so aim for a quick and easy process. If users can't easily find where to donate, they won't—so it’s essential to make those calls to action (CTAs) visible and accessible at all times.

How to Do It Right

I’m going to show you how we tackled this with one of our nonprofit clients. We completely rebuilt their website from the ground up using Webflow, adding tons of value and content—from manuscripts to fine art exhibitions. When you land on their site, the "Support" call to action is front and center. As you scroll, you see more donation prompts throughout the page, and even a QR code in the footer for mobile convenience.

Clicking "Support" leads you directly to a beautifully optimized donation page. Right at the top, you see how much has already been raised towards the goal. The page is clean and responsive on any device, ensuring both mobile and desktop users have a seamless experience. The visuals and storytelling immediately build urgency and empathy. Pre-set donation increments make it super easy to choose an amount, with an option for a custom donation. Donors can opt for a one-time gift or set up an automatic monthly donation—a great move for long-term funding stability.

There's also a section for donors to add a public note explaining why they’re giving, and an option to honor someone special. Trust badges and site-wide consistency, including the footer and navigation, reassure donors that they're giving to a credible organization. Highlighting the fundraising goal and days remaining encourages immediate action. Everything about the setup is geared toward making it as easy and emotionally compelling as possible for someone to give.

Final Thoughts

A simple, fast, mobile-friendly donation page that removes all barriers is crucial for nonprofit success. By reducing friction, fostering emotional connection, and making support effortless, you can dramatically boost your fundraising efforts.

If you have any questions or need help optimizing your nonprofit’s website, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help!

Thanks for reading — see y’all next week. Peace!