If your group already has a website, click over to part 1.

2. IF YOUR GROUP DOESN’T HAVE A WEBSITE

- If you’d like to have a website:

If you feel comfortable setting up your own site with the help of templates, you can get started easily and inexpensively by signing up with one of the larger hosting companies like aPlus.net or GoDaddy.com . They offer starter packages and templates to help get you online. Advantage: low cost, less than $10 a month. Disadvantage: requires time to use tools and set up site.

If you don’t want the hassle of setting up your own website, you could hire a company to build a customized site for you, either locally or through the internet - search for “web design services”. Advantage: professional design is done for you. Disadvantage: high cost.

If the expense of a customized site is too much, but you need help with design and marketing, try SiteSell.com. This company has a great track record of helping to build successful sites with easy to use design and marketing tools and lots of motivation! Advantage: much lower cost than customized site, lets you set up a site in minutes. Disadvantages: None really, if you need help with setting up and marketing your website.

If you have the knowledge to set up your own site, we recommend the hosting company of our site, Hostgator.com. Advantages: great live tech support 24/7. Disadvantages: None, if you’re able to design the site yourself.

- If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of having a website

You can still very successfully raise funds online even without a website!

For example, you could run an online magazine fundraiser with the help of an e-mail campaign. It is very important here, that you have a substantial e-mail list to help with your fundraising efforts. An online magazine fundraiser is one of the most lucrative online fundraisers out there! Two popular online magazine fundraising programs are at MagFundraising and FastTrackFundraising.

Another way to raise funds online is to set up an account with any one of the online charity malls like iGive.com or Giveness.com.

With any of these online fundraisers it is very important, that you remind potential donors on a regular basis to shop through one of these particular online charity malls, or to buy or renew their magazine subscriptions through a specific site. That’s why, as with other online efforts, having a good size e-mail list will be a major factor in the success of your fundraising campaign!

Another way to get online exposure without your own website is to set up a dedicated page for your group on sites like Ning.com, Twitter.com or MySpace.com for example. This allows you to get the message out about your group.

Any of the above strategies are more effective however, if used in conjunction with a website. A website can give useful information about your group or cause and strengthen trust of the public in your fundraising efforts. It is also a great tool for collecting e-mail addresses and sending messages.

Read more about online magazine fundraisers at Tips For Running A Successful Online Magazine Fundraiser

OVERWHELMED? NOT ENOUGH TIME?

If you’re unable to actually start any online fundraising campaign at this point, you can still prepare for it by collecting e-mail addresses from members of your group, potential donors and other interested parties.

Get into the habit of always collecting e-mail addresses at functions, meetings, or on your website, if you decide to create one. Of course, assure anyone who signs up that you won’t use their e-mail addresses for anything else, but for the sole purpose of keeping them informed about your cause.

People will appreciate being updated on any fundraising efforts and successes. Be sure to include a link to your website in each e-mail.

For more about fundraising online, visit our “Fundraising Online” category where you can find articles like Create Your Own Website!

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