Fundraise Smarter with WooCommerce for Nonprofits

WooCommerce for nonprofits gives organizations a smarter way to raise funds online without overspending. As a reliable eCommerce plugin, it makes setting up fundraisers simple, while staying budget-friendly and flexible.

Nonprofits can run campaigns, sell things, and accept donations all from the same place they run their website with WooCommerce. This method keeps everything in one place, which saves time and money and lets teams focus on what matters most: their mission.

Why WooCommerce Works for Nonprofits

With WooCommerce, nonprofits can have the best of both worlds: it’s cheap, and they have a lot of control. Here are the reasons we believe WooCommerce is the best choice for nonprofits:

1. Free core plugin: Your money can be spent on programs instead of fees for the platform.
2. Theme compatibility: WooCommerce works well with different themes. Because it runs on WordPress, it fits your company’s brand and values very well.
3. Full control over data: Your nonprofit retains complete control, as no third-party platform can dictate how you manage donations or track supporter information.
4. A lot of plugins: WooCommerce has plugins for things like recurring donations, buying tickets to events, and crowdfunding.

If you set up WooCommerce correctly, it can be more than just a donation form, but a place to tell stories, raise money, and get people involved in the community.

How to Set Up WooCommerce for Nonprofits

We suggest the following steps to set up WooCommerce for nonprofits:

Begin with a solid foundation

If you choose a reliable hosting service, your website will load quickly and be able to handle donation traffic during campaigns.

Pick a name for your domain

Many nonprofits choose a domain name that reflects their mission and fosters trust among potential supporters. This works well with extensions like .org or .ngo.

Get WordPress and hosting set up

It’s easy to add WooCommerce after you set up hosting and WordPress.

If you have a registered non-profit organization (NGO), get in touch with us — we may be able to offer you special conditions to support your work.

Choose a theme and turn on WooCommerce

Businesses can pick a theme that fits their brand and is meant to get people to buy, after they turn on the feature.

Create virtual products

Nonprofits can make “virtual products” instead of selling real ones to represent donations. This means they don’t have to think about how to ship things.

Add plugins for donations

Adding donation plugins that work directly with WooCommerce can help nonprofits a lot. You can use these plugins to accept one-time or recurring gifts, set your donation amounts, and send thank-you emails automatically.

Launch the site

If a nonprofit has all of these things in place, its WooCommerce site can be ready to accept its first donation in just a few hours.

Essential Donation Plugins & Features

The plugin ecosystem is what really makes WooCommerce powerful for nonprofits. These tools can make a regular online store into a donation center that is open all the time.

1. Donation Platform for WooCommerce (Free)

Nonprofits love this open-source option because it’s simple to set up and can be changed in many ways. You can make forms for donations, add goal thermometers, send receipts automatically, and even keep track of gifts that come in every month. It also works with CRMs and analytics tools, which lets you see the whole picture.

2. Donation for WooCommerce (Premium)

WPExperts made this plugin for businesses that need more advanced features. You can set up recurring donations, see your fundraising goals in real time, add widgets to your website, and get personalized thank-you emails. It’s best if you want to have more control over how you get and keep donors.

3. Other Helpful Tools

• WooCommerce Donation lets you make round-up donations, set amounts, or custom amounts, and get support on a regular basis.
• Name Your Price lets donors choose how much to give without having to set a minimum amount.
• Crowdfunding for WooCommerce is great for raising money through campaigns.

Look for plugins that work with secure payment gateways, work on mobile devices, and let you change donation forms to fit your brand.

Best Practices to Boost Trust and Conversions

People who give money want to do so to groups they believe in, and they want it to be easy. A few careful steps can make a big difference.

Make It Simple

The process of giving should be as quick as possible. Don’t ask for more information than you need, and don’t make people click more than once. People are more likely to follow through with a donation if they can do it quickly.

Show Impact

People are more likely to give when they know where their money is going. Donors also feel like they are part of something bigger when they see progress bars and goal thermometers.

Add Social Proof

Showing recent donations or testimonials from supporters can help visitors feel more confident in your mission. It makes people trust you and want to act.

Optimize for Mobile

A lot of donors will come to your site from their phones. Check that your pages load quickly, that the text is easy to read, and that the buttons are big enough to tap.

WPX.net Pro Tip:

A site that loads quickly keeps donors interested. WPX hosting gives you super-fast speeds, which can help you get more donations and keep them coming in. Registered NGO? Contact us to explore special offers.

Say Thank You

A sincere thank-you is never too much. Automated emails are okay, but sending a personal message, like a follow-up or an update on the project, can help you build strong relationships.

Expanding WooCommerce for Nonprofits

Once you set up your donation system, you can leverage WooCommerce to garner more support. On average, nonprofits get 12,708 visitors to their websites every month. Getting even a small number of those visitors to become donors or customers can make a big difference in annual sales.

Sell Branded Merchandise

Supporters can show their pride and help your cause by buying T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and other items. It’s a way to raise money and promote your business at the same time.

Launch Crowdfunding Campaigns

Think about running time-limited crowdfunding campaigns for certain projects or events. You can show progress, give donors rewards, and make people feel like they need to act quickly with the right plugin.

Offer Memberships or Subscriptions

Set up programs that let people give money on a regular basis and offer perks like early access to event tickets, exclusive updates, or content only available to members. This gives you a steady stream of income and makes your donor community stronger.

Integrate with CRM and Email Marketing

You can link WooCommerce to tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, or Salesforce. You will be able to divide donors into groups, send them messages that are relevant to them, and keep track of how they interact with you over time.

You can make WooCommerce a full-time fundraising platform that supports your mission all year long by thinking beyond one-time donations.

Conclusion

Nonprofits can use WooCommerce to raise money online in a way that is flexible, cheap, and powerful. It grows with you, from simple donation forms to full-fledged merchandise stores and crowdfunding campaigns. 

You can turn your website into a year-round fundraising machine if you use the right plugins, write clear messages, and build trust. WooCommerce can help you get more supporters, collect more donations, and make a bigger difference, whether you’re just starting out or want to improve your site. This is especially true if you have reliable hosting.

We’re always happy to support registered NGOs. Reach out to our team to learn about the special opportunities we can provide for your organization.