Benefits of Online Reviews — and How to Get Your Donors to Give Them

By Jessica Ayre

Online reviews have the power to position your nonprofit as a trustworthy and reliable organization, helping you attract more donors and influence their giving habits. Most people spend a significant amount of time reading reviews before determining whether or not to donate to your organization, which is why it’s important to gather as many reviews as you can.

Here are three benefits of getting reviews for your nonprofit — plus how to ask your donor base for them.

3 Ways Online Reviews Benefit Your Nonprofit

From creating visibility to showing impact to building loyalty, online reviews can be a part of your larger branding strategy. Here are three reasons why your nonprofit needs online reviews.

1. Top-Rated Nonprofits Are More Likely To Show Up In Google Search Results

Having plenty of Google reviews helps you climb closer to the top of the search results page. Reviews make your organization more visible to potential donors who are searching for nonprofits that align with their values, helping you stand out among other organizations within your community.

Google values high-rated websites and organizations because plenty of reviews establish your credibility and reputation. They build trust in your brand, positively impacting how you appear in Google search results.

When your organization is at the top of the search engine results page (SERP), you’ll drive more traffic and exposure to your website. As a result, more people will be inclined to work with you and donate to your cause. It’s a way for others to know that you’re dependable to work with and successfully pursue your mission.

2. Online Reviews Demonstrate the Impact of Your Work

Reviews are the perfect way for clients to share personal stories of how an organization impacts their lives. Individual anecdotes help put a face to the work that your nonprofit is doing.

A long-standing history of reviews tells donors that you’ve been dedicated to your cause for a while. While statistics are helpful to share, it’s the stories and feedback that help drive the full impact of your mission.

Reviews from your donors also reinforce the purpose of your nonprofit. When people ask you why you do the work you do, your donors will happily vouch for you. Donors who are actively supporting you in their reviews highlight the reason behind your organization’s existence.

This strengthens your motivation, puts an emphasis on your goals and defines where you stand in your community. That’s why these stories need to make it to an online review platform like Google to expand your reach.

3. Continuously Gathering Reviews From Donors Improves Your Nonprofit

Reading reviews and implementing suggestions is a great way to show your donors and supporters that you are listening to them. This goes a long way in building loyalty between your organization and donor base, paving the way for donor retention and long-term sustainability.

You may get some constructive criticism in your online reviews. Your donor base may have suggestions regarding:

Financial transparency.
Wanting to see the outcomes and results of their contributions.
Ease of donation.
Wanting more personalized giving opportunities.
Ideas for fundraising.
Feedback on current programs or initiatives.

It’s important to respond to your donors' reviews with an open mind. Express your gratitude for their support and show that you’re willing to work with them through their suggestions. If a negative situation arises, avoid being combative and mitigate the conversation to a private platform so you can resolve their concerns.

Reviews hold your nonprofit accountable to its mission and values. By listening to your donor base and their feedback, you can build stronger relationships over time.

How to Get More Donor Reviews for Your Nonprofit

Now that you know why they’re necessary, here are a few ways to increase the number of reviews you receive.

1. Collect Feedback on Your Website

Make it easy for website visitors to leave reviews by including a direct link to your Google review page. Prompt donors to share what attracted them to your organization and how their contribution experience went. It also helps to explain how reviews help you.

2. Send Review Links via Email or Text Message to Donors

Reach out to donors directly after they’ve donated to your cause, thanking them for their contribution. Keep it brief and include a direct link to your review page within your message. Emails are a standard way of getting in touch with your donor base, but texts are more likely to be seen first due to their high open rate. Using both together can be a powerful way to make sure your review requests — and messages in general — are never missed.

3. Ask for Reviews From Donors in Person

This works especially well for long-term or major donors who have a large stake in your organization and regularly attend your nonprofit’s events. An in-person review request demonstrates a personalized effort that they’ll appreciate. This helps you nurture high-value relationships while you discover major elements about your own organization that keep donors investing in your work.

The preceding blog was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.