There’s a lot to be said about being generous and charitable. Not only do businesses receive tax benefits for making charitable donations. Businesses who are actively donating to charity or non-profit organizations tend to have more loyal and engaged customers. Today’s consumers like businesses that support aligning with their core beliefs, offering quality products or services, and having a heart. Supporting donations benefits your online business in many unthinkable ways. Donations are just one way your business can stand out and boost your following. You’re sure to see big shifts when your business makes it clear that your online store is interested in more than just profits. And now your customers can get involved with donating too. Here are some reasons supporting donations benefits your online business.
1. More Support
A carefully placed payment button on your online store’s site can do a lot to support your charity of choice. And it can do a lot to garner more support for your business. When your customer knows and appreciates the fact that your store is invested in more than just itself, they are more likely to become a repeat and loyal customer. A donation button gives consumers the option to also support more than just your business. Consumers will appreciate being able to easily make a donation and take a more active role in supporting a worthwhile charity.
2. Strengthen Your Brand
Every brand brings something to the mind of consumers. For instance, Pond’s is synonymous with excellence in beauty. The message is if you want to be beautiful, use Pond’s. Your online store also has a brand, a brand voice, and a brand message. Incorporating some of the language and strategy from the charity you want to support will be a big help in bolstering your brand and its goodwill. Supporting donations only strengthens your ties to the community and gives your brand a bigger, more impactful presence on the Internet.
3. Tax Deductions
Who doesn’t enjoy saving money? Donations that come through your online store may be tax deductions for your business, allowing you to put more money back into your business or support more charitable activity. Reducing your taxable income in a meaningful way is an honorable thing to do, although it is a big benefit to your bottom line. Just be sure to be clear on the tax laws so that you can properly report donations and avoid any unpleasant consequences from the government or your customer base.
4. Motivate Your Team
Whether you’re a small or large business, when your team knows that you are more than just an employer and that you actually have a heart, they are more willing to invest more energy into making your business thrive. Not only will they be more likely to invest all of the qualities that you love in an employee, but they are also likely to recommend your business to their friends and family. Your team is an integral part of your business, and it helps to have them wholeheartedly on your side. It makes a big difference for everyone involved.
5. Increased Sales
Loyal customers are repeat customers. A loyal customer means more profits for your business. Aligning your online store with the core values of your target customer will undoubtedly result in increased sales. When your customers know that you are doing more than just running a business and that you’re invested in your community, the choice to shop with you is an easy one to make. Although giving to charity often comes straight from the heart, it’s pretty nice to have it come back to you and your business.
6. Reduce Fundraising Costs
Depending on the platform you choose to use to collect donations, you may be able to keep your fundraising costs to a minimum. Some platforms offer reduced transaction rates for money going into charities and non-profit organizations. There may be no setup fees, cancellation fees, or other costs associated with handling transactions.
7. Strategy Building
In building a strategy to boost donations through your online store, you will also be creating a strategy to drive more traffic and sales for your own business simultaneously. Adding this layer of marketing has the power to improve your business strategy in ways that benefit your team, your bottom line, the charities you support, and your community. For instance, developing the right social media campaign can mark off several items on your task list. It can raise awareness so that people are now wanting to help. It can increase site traffic, it can boost sales because they came to donate and decided to also shop. And it can be educational.
8. Self-Worth
Not only are you boosting your business’ perceived worth, but you’ll also be adding to your own self-worth. It feels good knowing that you’re impacting the lives of others for good. It helps you to put your own life into perspective and inspire gratitude. As a business owner, things sometimes get difficult but knowing that you’re helping more than yourself can give you that extra push to keep at it. When you feel good about yourself, some of it rubs off on those around you. It may seem insignificant, but every business should be doing more than just filling its pockets with money.
Final Words
Making donations is a beautiful way to help other beings on this earth. Helping and encouraging others to do the same, deepens the impression and makes more of an impact on whatever it is that you’re wanting to make better. Don’t be afraid to stand out in the online marketplace and lend a helping hand where you can. Whether or not shoppers decide to donate is up to them. One of the great things about supporting non-profits is that you have the power to, at the very least, bring to peoples’ awareness a segment of the population that can greatly benefit from their help. Supporting donations benefits your online business more than you may expect and impact this world in ways you never knew were possible.