When it comes to the world of ecommerce, there are lots of exciting opportunities, but it can be scary for beginners. Developing unique products, managing inventory, and building a strong brand may seem almost impossible.
White labeling ecommerce can be an attractive alternative since it offers a streamlined path to success. This is when you sell generic products that are manufactured by a third party, but you add your own branding to them.
Here at WPBeginner, we have tons of experience in ecommerce strategy and have been studying the rise of white labeling. Our team of experts understands the unique challenges that you’ll face as a beginner in the world of online retail.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explain what white labeling is, its benefits and drawbacks, tips for using it, and much more. That way, you will be able to launch your own branded online store in no time.
Here is a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this guide:
White labeling means that one company manufactures generic products, and then other companies can sell them under their own brand name. With this business model, each product can have a different name, packaging, or price and be sold under different brands. But apart from that, these duplicate products will be identical.
This allows beginners to launch online stores without a sizeable investment in product development. With white labeling, you won’t even have to worry about managing inventories.
For example, you may want to launch a skincare line but not have the resources or time to do so.
In that case, you can partner with a wholesale skincare company that will manufacture products for you, according to a contract. You can personalize these products by adding your own packaging and brand name. Then, you can sell them in your online store.
Another example of white labeling in ecommerce is print-on-demand (POD) shops, where you can design a shirt and add it to your online store without spending a penny.
Now, when a user places an order, the POD platform automatically prints the shirt and sends it to the customer’s address, charging a small fee for it.
White labeling in ecommerce is widely used across different industries. It’s mostly popular in sectors where manufacturing products is a bit difficult or more expensive, but that’s not always the case.
Now, let’s talk more about the ecommerce niches that often use white-labeled products. These examples might give you some ideas for your own store.
Web Development
White labeling is super popular in web development agencies. Many of these businesses partner with white-label companies to offer services for digital marketing, maintenance, hacked site repair, or speed optimization under their own brand name.
Once these companies receive a client’s project, they pass that information to third-party freelancers or white-label partners like Seahawk Media or Codeable.
Then, they will build the website or perform other tasks while the development agency handles the customer relationship.
Clothing is another popular ecommerce sector for white labeling products. It allows retailers to offer a variety of clothing items and accessories without dealing with the full cost of manufacturing.
Many popular brands like Zara and H&M use this approach to rapidly adopt fashion trends. If you are a beginner looking to start your own clothing store using white-label products, then you can use a tool like Spreadshirt.
It is a popular platform that allows users to design their own clothing items and add them to their online store. Once someone places an order, Spreadshirt will handle the inventory, payments, printing, and shipping.
It can be challenging for small businesses to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation in the tech industry. This is where white-labeled electronics come in.
Thanks to white labeling, small online stores can offer popular tech accessories like phone cases, keyboards, headphones, or even portable speakers under their own brand.
This can help them stay competitive without the burden of complex electronics manufacturing.
Cosmetics and Skincare
The skincare and cosmetics industry uses white-label products to cater to the specific needs of the target audience.
For instance, a cosmetics brand might focus on organic beauty products by white labeling premade items that align with their brand values.
Similarly, many popular skincare brands source products from the same manufacturer and then rebrand and sell them with different names.
Home and Personal Care
Home and personal care items also have a lot of potential for white labeling. You can sell common products like cleaning supplies and kitchenware.
Since many consumers aren’t loyal to specific brands in these niches, it might be easier to win them over.
In reality, some of these products have been manufactured by the same company but are being sold with different names and brand logos.
Benefits of White Labeling Ecommerce
White labeling offers a convenient way for beginners to enter the ecommerce market and create their own brands. Here are some key benefits to consider when opting for this approach for your online store.
Reduced Cost: White labeling ecommerce is cost-effective because you don’t have to pay manufacturing or product development costs. You won’t need to invest in equipment, materials, or production facilities. Plus, some white-label providers handle inventory and order fulfillment, further reducing expenses.
Easy Store Launch: You can launch your store in just a few minutes since the products are readily available. This eliminates the need to spend time designing or prototyping.
Wider Product Selection: As a small business owner, you can still offer a broad range of products without the burden of large-scale manufacturing. This lets you cater to a wider audience, test different product lines, and increase sales.
Scalability: White labeling is also super scalable. You can easily add new white-labeled products as your customer base grows or market trends evolve. This flexibility allows you to expand your product lines without much investment.
Focus on Marketing: Since you are outsourcing product development, you have more time to build a strong brand identity. You can use effective marketing tips and build an email list to bring back customers.
Drawbacks of White Labeling Ecommerce
While white labeling has a lot of advantages, it is still important to consider some cons before you choose this approach.
Limited Control Over Quality: When selling white-label products, you don’t have as much control over their quality. That’s because you won’t be in charge of development and manufacturing. This can directly impact customer satisfaction and your reputation.
Reduced Profit Margins: Since white-label products are often manufactured in bulk and are being sold with different names, competition can be fierce. This can lead to lower profit margins, as businesses need to offer competitive pricing to attract customers.
Potential for Reliance on Supplier: Your business will become heavily dependent on the white-label company that you have partnered with for product quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
Of course, if you are aware of these drawbacks, you will be better able to minimize them. For example, to make sure you are selling high-quality products, you can always test them yourself first.
White Label Products to Sell Online
Now, let’s go over a few examples of commonly white-labeled products. If you choose some of these popular items, it may help maximize conversions in your ecommerce store.
Reusable Water Bottles
With the growing demand for sustainable products, selling reusable water bottles can be a great idea.
They are low-cost white-label products, so they may be easier to sell. Plus, you can add your own designs or brand logo.
For instance, if you have a gym or fitness site, then you can sell reusable water bottles to your customers.
Coffee Beans
Coffee beans are another great option when it comes to white labeling. A number of retailers and small businesses buy identical coffee beans from the same manufacturer and sell them with their own branding.
You can also partner with a local coffee shop to sell your beans in person. This can also help you build brand awareness and win leads.
Pet Accessories
The pet industry is booming, so there’s a high demand for pet accessories and toys. You can take advantage of this popular ecommerce niche by selling dog beds, cat toys, collars, and other items in your online pet store.
You can also add categories for food and grooming items, offering a curated selection that aligns with your brand.
Phone Accessories
You might also want to consider offering white-labeled phone accessories. You can sell customized phone cases, car mounts, selfie sticks, waterproof pouches, chargers, and so much more.
You can personalize them with your brand logo, unique designs, or trending patterns. This way, you can make them stand out in a crowded market.
Food Supplements
If you run a health website or food blog, then you might want to start selling white label food supplements like vitamins, proteins, minerals, or probiotics.
You can simply add your own branding to your products and promote them in your recipe blog posts. This will encourage users to check out your supplements, helping you earn some additional money.
Home Decor
Another popular white-label niche is home decor. You can sell wall art, lamps, fridge magnets, stickers, bedsheets, and many other items.
You can also add more products as your store grows and customize them with your designs or logo.
Top Three White Label Product Suppliers
Here are some well-known suppliers where you can order white-label products in bulk.
Alibaba is the world’s largest B2B online marketplace, where businesses can find manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers for a wide range of products.
It offers a huge selection of white-label items from around the globe and connects you with tons of suppliers. You can compare prices, product specifications, and minimum order quantities.
Alibaba usually offers products in bulk, which lets them sell products at a lower per unit cost than other vendors.
Pros
The marketplace also offers dropshipping. This allows you to send the product directly to your customer’s address from Alibaba.
It offers branded packaging and logos for white-labeled products.
You can add custom invoices for your customers.
Cons
Many Alibaba suppliers have minimum order quantities that you need to meet. This can be a challenge if you have limited inventory needs.
You will need to evaluate the potential product suppliers yourself.
Why we recommend Alibaba: If you plan to order white label products in bulk, then Alibaba is a great choice for you.
Maker’s Row is an amazing platform that connects small businesses with manufacturers. It does not offer any white-label service itself, but you can find different suppliers who will send white-label products your way.
You can post project requests, receive quotes, and collaborate with manufacturers directly through the platform. Plus, you can use search filters to narrow down suppliers based on your product category, location, minimum order requirements, and white labeling capabilities.
Once you have selected a supplier, you can talk with them using the Maker’s Row platform. This way, you can easily ask them questions about their white labeling process.
Pros
Maker’s Row evaluates manufacturers to ensure quality and legitimacy.
It comes with excellent features to streamline communication and project management.
The platform has educational resources for ecommerce and white labeling.
Cons
Compared to other marketplaces, it provides a limited product variety.
Maker’s Row only focuses on American manufacturers. This can be a problem if you are in any other part of the world.
Why we recommend Maker’s Row: If you live in the USA and want to sell white label products, then Maker’s Row is the best solution.
It has a wide range of products across various categories like clothing, electronics, homeware, and more. These products can be purchased and then white labeled with your own branding elements.
A huge benefit of opting for this platform is that BigBuy does not set a minimum order limit. This makes it easier to buy white-label products in smaller numbers.
Pros
It offers branded packaging with your logo.
You can also send customized invoices to customers.
Some BigBuy suppliers offer extensive customization options for the product itself.
Cons
Products on BigBuy are slightly more expensive than other vendors.
You will need to pay an additional dropshipping fee.
Why we recommend BigBuy: If you have a small store and want to order a small number of white label products, then BigBuy is a good choice.
How to Get Started with Ecommerce White Labeling
Now that you know how ecommerce white labeling works, you may be wondering how to launch an online store to sell white-labeled products. The best and quickest way to do this is using WordPress and WooCommerce.
First, you will need to choose a hosting provider to get the resources your website needs. Ideally, you’ll want to pick a web host that comes with a free domain name so you can keep costs low.
SiteGround is one of the best WooCommerce hosting providers. They are a great option if you are looking for a high-performance yet affordable managed hosting provider. Plus, they offer a big discount for WPBeginner customers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecommerce White Labeling
Here are some questions that our readers frequently ask about white labeling ecommerce.
What is the difference between a white label and a black label?
With white labeling, third-party vendors supply businesses with items to sell in their own stores. These vendors allow companies to add their original branding and logo to the item, but it does not literally have a white label on it.
Meanwhile, companies sometimes add an actual black label to their higher-end or luxury products, making them distinct from regular items.
How can I start selling white-label products?
To start selling white-label products, you need to choose a niche or product category for your store. You’ll also have to create a unique brand identity and logo. Once you do that, you can build your store in WordPress.
Then, find a reliable supplier and select some items to add to your catalog. After that, we would recommend focusing on a marketing strategy to promote your products and generate more conversions.
Is white labeling right for my ecommerce business?
White labeling can be a good option for businesses looking to enter a market quickly or those with a smaller budget. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider your specific business goals and resources.
If you expect high profit margins, extensive product customization options, or tight quality control, then white labeling might not be the best fit.
On the other hand, if you are looking for an easy way to sell products without worrying about inventory or shipping, then white labeling may be perfect for you.
Understanding website analytics has become a real challenge!
The most well-known free analytics software, Google Analytics, used to be perfect … but after the platform update to GA4, it’s become too difficult to use for small business owners.
Many users asked me to share a Google Analytics alternative, but they are all too expensive because they charge based on the number of visitors you get on your site.
What if there was a solution that could make Google Analytics easy again like it used to be without the HIGH costs?
Today, I am excited to announce OnePageGA, a simple and easy-to-understand dashboard for Google Analytics 4.
OnePageGA is the magic button you always wish you had. With just a few clicks, it instantly turns all your Google Analytics 4 data into easy-to-use reports … no need to install a plugin or touch a line of code!
It comes with 25+ pre-made reports, eCommerce revenue tracking, first touch attribution, ability to easily build funnel reports, and more.
OnePageGA is designed for website owners and agencies who want access to their website analytics without all the hassle of learning GA4 interface.
Let’s look at a few benefits of why you will love OnePageGA:
1. Get a Bird’s Eye View of Your Website Analytics
Quickly understand what works and what doesn’t with your website audience at a glance. All your key metrics are made available in a streamlined view. No need for endless clicking to get to the right information.
As soon as you open your dashboard, you’ll see a visual graph with your site’s page views, sessions, session duration, bounce rate, and more.
You can also find several pre-built reports for top traffic sources, channels, landing pages, UTMs, locations, and more.
2. Get the Right Information When You Need It
OnePageGA is designed to give you the right information that matters when you need it. If you need more details, you can easily drill down and filter by any dimension.
You can also use the data parameters to see your website’s performance over different periods of time.
Want to compare your website’s performance over time?
Just click on ‘Compare’ in the date picker, and you will see a visual comparison right away:
This lets you quickly see if your marketing efforts have been paying off.
Scrolling down the page, you will see more reports, including:
Traffic sources
Most popular pages and landing pages
Referrals from organic search, paid ads, and other campaigns
Most popular locations and devices used to access your website
Simply click on each tab, and you will see the number of users and revenue for each of these data points.
With this data, you will quickly be able to understand which posts and pages are the most popular with your visitors. You’ll also get a better understanding of who your target audience is.
3. Design Your Own Custom Reports
Want to track different Google Analytics data on your website? No problem.
Simply choose the metrics you want to track, and the reports will update immediately. This way, you can see the data that actually matters to your business and your website.
4. Easily Track eCommerce Data and Sales Funnels
Running an online store or membership website? Easily view your eCommerce data in dedicated reports, including transaction revenue and other events like page views, scrolls, and user engagement.
This lets you keep track of your revenue, eCommerce sources, and transactions without ever leaving your analytics dashboard.
You can also set up custom conversion/sales funnels and track that data in a specific report.
Simply add the pages and events you want to track, and OnePageGA will create the report for you.
This lets you track your visitors from the moment they arrive on your website until they become subscribers or purchase an item from your store.
Bonus Features
On top of all these great features, OnePageGA also allows you to:
Track multiple websites from a single dashboard, making it a great option for agencies and larger businesses.
Add notes directly to your reports to see how specific strategies have affected your traffic.
Track unlimited pageviews without any extra fees.
Toggle on dark mode to browse reports comfortably at night.
Background Story – Why OnePageGA?
Understanding Google Analytics 4 reports is a huge struggle for most website owners. That’s because GA4 introduced many new changes, including a completely revamped interface, a new set of metrics, and advanced analysis.
With these changes Google promises better data collection, more privacy controls, and more.
Unfortunately, this also means that even if you were familiar with the previous version of Google Analytics, you would still find it extremely hard to get the right information when you need it.
What good is having access to an abundance of data when you can’t easily see the report that you need.
I even considered using a third-party analytics tool myself, but they all charge based on the number of pageviews which can get really expensive as your website grows.
In the past, I would recommend Jetpack Analytics as a Google Analytics alternative, but they too raised their pricing to charge by the number of pageviews.
I understand that analytics platform can be expensive, but I knew there had to be a solution for our users.
In one of the brainstorming session, we had the AHA moment: we don’t need to build a brand new platform.
We simply need easy reports for Google Analytics and that’s how OnePageGA was born.
OnePageGA grabs all your Google Analytics data and shows it in a one-page, beginner-friendly dashboard, so we can keep the costs manageable for website owners.
Try OnePageGA Today
OnePageGA is already available to all users with a 14-day free trial, so please give it a try and share your thoughts in the comments below.
We’re truly building something special here. I believe that OnePageGA is built just as much for me as it is for you. If you have ideas on how we can make OnePageGA more helpful for all of us, please send us your suggestions.
As always, I want to thank you for your continued support of WPBeginner, and we look forward to continue serving you for years to come.
Personalizing your WordPress dashboard can improve the user experience. One easy way to do this is by adding or changing admin icons.
Custom icons can improve your workflow and make it easier for new users to navigate the admin area of your site. Plus, a personalized dashboard is more enjoyable to use.
In this article, we will show you how to add or change WordPress admin icons. We will guide you through the process step by step. By the end, your WordPress dashboard will look fresh and unique.
What Are Admin Icons in WordPress?
Admin icons are the tiny images you see in the navigation panel of the WordPress admin area. They appear next to each menu item.
These images use Dashicons, an icon font made for WordPress. It was first introduced in 2013 and has not changed since then.
You may want to give your WordPress admin area a slight makeover by changing these icons. You can swap out existing icons with something you like better or even replace them with your own custom icons.
If you are making a website for clients who are not familiar with WordPress, using custom icons can help them navigate the admin dashboard more easily.
Now, let’s see how you can easily change admin icons. We will show you two ways to do that, and you can choose the one that works best for you:
After you have activated the plugin, go to the Settings » Menu Editor page. Here, you will see your WordPress admin menu within a neat user interface (UI) where you can customize it.
The UI has a toolbar at the top, which allows you to add or delete menu items, add separators, copy and paste items, and more.
Below that, you can click on a menu item to expand and view its settings. Here, we have expanded the Posts menu item.
When you expand any menu item, you will see more options. If it is a parent menu, you will also see any child menu items in the right column.
To add, replace, or delete a menu icon, click on the ‘Show advanced options’ link at the bottom.
Now, click on the button next to the ‘Icon URL’ field.
This will reveal a popup where you can see all the available Dashicons. Alternatively, you can click on the ‘Media Library’ button to upload your own image icon.
If you want to upload your own image icon, we recommend using a 32×32 image, preferably in transparent PNG format.
After choosing your icon, click on the ‘Save Changes’ button to store your settings.
You will now see your custom menu icon used in the admin menu.
Method 2: Manually Change Admin Menu Icons Using a Code Snippet
This next method requires you to add some custom code to change icons.
The easiest and safest way to add custom code in WordPress is using WPCode. It is the best WordPress code snippets plugin. It allows you to safely add custom code, CSS, and HTML to your WordPress site without accidentally breaking anything.
Note: The plugin also has a free version called WPCode Lite, which will get the job done. However, the pro version gives you extra features that might be helpful.
Example 1. Replacing an Icon Using the Default Dashicons
For this example, we will use the default Dashicons to replace an icon from the existing icon set.
It’s important to note that WordPress already loads Dashicons, which are highly optimized for performance. So, using them will not impact page load speed.
That said, before you run the code, you need to note down the following:
The URL for the menu item you want to change
The icon name you want to use
First, you need to find the page URL for the menu item you want to customize. For instance, let’s say you want to change the icon for the ‘Posts’ menu.
Move your mouse over to the Posts menu, and you will see the URL it links to in your browser’s status bar at the bottom of the page. You just need the last part of the URL, which in this case would be edit.php.
Next, go to the Dashicons website and click on the icon you want to use.
Clicking on any icon will show its name and slug at the top. At this point, you need to copy the slug because you’ll need it in the next step.
Once you’ve done that, go to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page and hover your mouse over the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ box.
Then, simply click on the ‘+ Add Custom Snippet’ button that appears.
On the next screen, provide a title for your snippet and select PHP Snippet under the Code Type option.
After that, you can copy and paste the following code into the code editor box:
function change_post_menu_icon() {
global $menu;
// Loop through the menu items
foreach ($menu as $key => $menu_item) {
// Find the "Posts" menu item (default URL is 'edit.php')
if (isset($menu_item[2]) && $menu_item[2] == 'edit.php') {
// Change the icon to a different Dashicon class
$menu[$key][6] = 'dashicons-format-aside'; // Change this to your preferred Dashicon slug
}
}
}
add_action('admin_menu', 'change_post_menu_icon');
Don’t forget to change the dashicons-format-aside to the slug you copied earlier.
Your code will appear like this in the editor:
Next, you need to tell WordPress where to run this code.
Admin menu icons appear inside the WordPress admin area. On the same page, scroll to the Insertion section and select ‘Admin Only’ under the Location option.
Lastly, switch your snippet to Active and click the ‘Save Snippet’ button to save your changes.
WordPress will now start using the icon you selected for the Posts page.
Example 2. Use Font Awesome Icon for a Menu Item in The WordPress Admin Area
The default Dashicon library has a limited set of icons. The good news is that you can use a font and icon library like Font Awesome, which has a much larger set of icons.
However, this means you will have to load Font Awesome, which may slow down your WordPress admin area slightly (only a few milliseconds).
Before you add any code, first you need to find the icon you want to use. Go to the Font Awesome website and switch to the Free Library.
You will see all the icons available for free.
Click on the icon you want to use, and it will open in a popup. From here, you need to copy the icon’s Unicode value.
After that, go to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page in your WordPress dashboard.
Go ahead and click on the ‘+ Add Custom Snippet’ button within the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ box.
On the next screen, provide a title for your snippet and select PHP Snippet as the Code Type option.
After that, you can copy and paste the following code into the code editor box:
// Enqueue Font Awesome in the admin area
function enqueue_font_awesome() {
wp_enqueue_style('font-awesome', 'https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.0.0-beta3/css/all.min.css');
}
add_action('admin_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_font_awesome');
// Add custom class to the Posts menu item
function add_custom_post_menu_class() {
global $menu;
foreach ($menu as $key => $menu_item) {
if (isset($menu_item[2]) && $menu_item[2] == 'edit.php') {
$menu[$key][4] .= ' custom-post-menu-class';
}
}
}
add_action('admin_menu', 'add_custom_post_menu_class');
// Add custom CSS to change the icon to a Font Awesome icon
function custom_admin_menu_icon() {
echo '<style>
.custom-post-menu-class .wp-menu-image:before {
font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Free" !important;
content: "\f015"; /* Unicode for the Font Awesome icon */
font-weight: 900; /* Needed for solid icons */
}
</style>';
}
add_action('admin_head', 'custom_admin_menu_icon');
Don’t forget to replace \f015 with the Unicode value you copied earlier.
Your code will appear like this in the editor:
Next, you need to tell WordPress where to run this code.
Admin menu icons appear inside the WordPress admin area, so you can scroll to the Insertion section and select ‘Admin Only’ as the Location option.
Lastly, switch your snippet to Active and click on the ‘Save Snippet’ button to save your changes.
WordPress will now start using the icon you selected for the Posts page.
Bonus: Add Icons for Custom Post Types in WordPress
Custom post types allow you to create unique types of content for your WordPress website. These are not default posts or pages but something totally original to your site.
If you are using a custom post type on your WordPress website, you might want to change its icon so that you can easily identify it.
Fun fact: on average, desktop users donate nearly 50% more than mobile users. And that’s just one of the many eye-opening statistics we’ve learned about nonprofit marketing.
At WPBeginner, we have helped lots of nonprofits improve their online presence to successfully promote their causes. Many of our WordPress businesses even offer special discounts for nonprofit organizations.
That being said, we know that nonprofits need more than just tools. They need insights, strategies, and data to make the most out of their limited resources.
That’s why we’ve put together this big list of nonprofit marketing statistics and insights. Whether you run a small local charity or a large international organization, you’ll learn where to focus your efforts and how to grow your impact.
Key Nonprofit Marketing Statistics
We’ve found a lot of fun facts and data about the nonprofit marketing industry. To make it easier, we’ve categorized them into several topics, and you can use the quick links below to skip to the one you want to read the most:
The nonprofit world is constantly evolving, and understanding the latest trends can help your organization thrive. Let’s look at some key statistics that show the current state of nonprofit marketing and fundraising.
1. For every $1 raised online, nonprofits collected $0.94 through direct mail.
This difference shows that online fundraising is slightly more effective than traditional methods. It’s a clear sign that having a strong online presence can give your nonprofit an edge in today’s digital world.
However, the fundraising landscape remains competitive, and you’ll quickly see why.
2. Out of every 1,000 fundraising messages sent, nonprofits only manage to generate $78 in donations.
This low return highlights how challenging it can be to capture donors’ attention and convince them to give. It’s a reminder that every message counts and nonprofits need to work hard to stand out in a crowded field.
So, how can you boost your online fundraising efforts? If you’re using WordPress for your nonprofit website, you’ll need a handy donation plugin like WP Charitable.
Charitable is an all-in-one WordPress donation plugin trusted by over 10,000 organizations, including us. In fact, it’s what our founder, Syed Balkhi, uses to collect donations for the Balkhi Foundation.
It includes features like customizable donation forms, pre-made donation pages, recurring donations, and donor management tools. Because of these, we’ve been able to create conversion-optimized campaigns that help raise money for causes that we care about.
You’ll learn more about the plugin as we go through this ultimate list of nonprofit statistics. But if you want a more in-depth look, check out our Charitable review.
3. Matching gift programs generate $2-3 billion in donations annually.
Matching gift programs are initiatives where employers match their employees’ donations to nonprofits.
These programs are popular because they allow donors to increase their support without spending more of their own money. At the same time, they can also encourage corporate social responsibility.
If you want to take advantage of matching gift programs, then you can use tools like Double the Donation. This platform can help donors quickly check if their employer offers matching gifts.
If they do, then the donor will usually fill out a form to submit to their employer, potentially doubling their contribution to your nonprofit.
4. 46% of nonprofits report their highest ROI from events, yet only 4% of donors say they’d give again to the same nonprofit after attending an event.
Events can drive donation volume, but without ongoing engagement, donors might not stick around.
This is where a well-rounded nonprofit marketing strategy comes into play. By balancing in-person events with digital marketing efforts, nonprofits can more easily retain donors.
5. Cultural nonprofit organizations generate 53% of their online revenue from memberships, while public media rely on memberships for 100% of their online income.
In other words, a lot of people are willing to become paid members of a nonprofit organization they care about.
Nonprofit memberships typically offer supporters exclusive benefits in exchange for regular financial contributions.
For example, a news organization might provide members with ad-free access to all articles, exclusive in-depth investigative reports, and invitations to Q&A sessions with journalists.
This model can be beneficial beyond one-time donations as it creates a steady income stream and promotes a deeper connection with supporters.
To implement a membership system for your nonprofit website, consider using a plugin like MemberPress. We used MemberPress to create our video membership site at WPBeginner, but it’s also flexible enough for various nonprofit needs.
You can use it to set up paid memberships, create paywalled content, or offer tiered membership levels with different benefits.
What’s more, MemberPress offers special nonprofit pricing plans for qualifying organizations. For example, the basic plan normally costs $359 per year, but nonprofit organizations can get it for $179.50 per year.
49% of nonprofits think events are a top method for staying in touch, but only 4.3% of donors agree.
The majority of charitable dollars in the United States go to religion (27%), human services (14%), education (13%), grantmaking foundations (11%), and health (10%).
60% of nonprofit marketers cite staffing constraints as a major issue in their work.
42% of nonprofit marketers struggle with adapting to changing consumer behavior.
65% of nonprofit organizations have an annual marketing budget of less than $100,000.
73% of nonprofit marketers are prioritizing donor acquisition.
59% of nonprofits are focusing on raising awareness with their marketing.
46% of nonprofit marketers are prioritizing events.
44% of nonprofit organizations prioritize retaining existing donors through their marketing.
Revenue from one-time giving fell by 5% in 2024, but revenue from monthly giving rose by 6%.
Monthly giving accounts for 31% of all online revenue for nonprofits.
Top Digital Marketing Channels for Nonprofits
This section explores the most effective digital channels to achieve nonprofit fundraising success.
6. Email marketing (26%) and social media (25%) get the most donations, while other media generate 12% of donations.
These nonprofit fundraising statistics show how powerful direct communication can be. Email and social media let nonprofits share personal stories and connect with supporters, which can boost online donations.
If you already have a website, then it’s a good idea to show your social media presence there. Try using Smash Balloon, a social media feed plugin, to display your latest posts from Facebook, Instagram, and more and build your credibility as a nonprofit organization.
Smash Balloon also offers a discount to nonprofit organizations. You just need to contact them here and send them your nonprofit ID, a link to your website, and your position.
7. Search ads have the best ROI, earning $3.72 for every dollar spent, while display and social media ads only generate $0.59 and $0.57, respectively.
Search ads can catch potential donors when they’re actively seeking ways to support causes, increasing the chances of donation. This makes sense, as people searching for specific charities or causes are likely more ready to give than those who simply see an ad while browsing.
To get the most from search ads, you need a good landing page. You don’t want potential donors to click on your ad only to arrive at a page that looks different from what they expected or doesn’t clearly guide them to donate.
For this, we recommend using SeedProd. This is what we use to create our landing pages and coming soon pages for upcoming projects. Our friends at OptinMonster also use it for their own campaigns, and they managed to increase their conversion rate by a whopping 340%.
Here’s an example of a nonprofit landing page template by SeedProd:
8. 63% of nonprofits plan to invest more in video marketing to promote their causes.
With videos, users can see the real impact of their donations, hear from people who have been helped, and connect emotionally with your cause. This visual storytelling can be much more engaging than text alone.
And with the rise of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, you have plenty of opportunities to grab attention with short-form video content that doesn’t need a lot of production value.
Its content discovery algorithm also increases the chances of your message reaching a wider, more relevant audience. So getting eyeballs on your cause becomes easier, even with limited resources.
You can also use videos on your website to enhance your nonprofit’s online presence. This approach can be particularly effective for showcasing your mission, sharing testimonials, or highlighting successful projects.
For example, the social venture TeachAids uses a fullscreen video background on their homepage to grab their visitors’ attention.
9. Nonprofits measure marketing success mainly through engagement metrics (32%), ROI (25%), and click-through rates (18%).
These metrics help you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your efforts for maximum fundraising success.
One of the best tools for tracking these metrics is Google Analytics. It provides valuable insights into your website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates.
To make Google Analytics even more powerful and user-friendly, many WordPress-based nonprofit sites use MonsterInsights, a plugin that simplifies data analysis. It’s also what we use to track the performance of our own websites.
MonsterInsights can help you track donation button clicks, monitor form completions, see which content drives the most engagement, understand your audience demographics, and more. This way, you can base your decisions on data, not guesses.
On top of that, qualifying nonprofit organizations may be eligible for MonsterInsights nonprofit pricing. You can get a yearly subscription to MonsterInsights Plus for $69.65 per year (the normal price is $99.60 per year).
For a detailed look at how MonsterInsights can boost your nonprofit marketing efforts, check out our MonsterInsights review.
More Facts About Nonprofit Digital Marketing Channels
82% of nonprofits find email to be one of the most effective digital channels for reaching supporters.
71% of nonprofits consider Facebook and Instagram the most effective digital marketing channels.
The average cost per click for digital ads varies: $2.99 for social media, $3.68 for video, and $3.72 for search advertising.
Digital advertising investment is growing, with overall nonprofit ad spending increasing by 12%.
Paid social media advertising has seen a dramatic 102% increase in investment by nonprofits.
Email-based marketing and promotional campaigns generate 28% of all online nonprofit revenue.
Donor Behavior and Giving Statistics
Understanding donor behavior is important for creating an effective nonprofit marketing strategy. Let’s dive into some key statistics that can shape your fundraising approach.
10. A compelling reason can motivate 74% of donors to increase their donation amount or give outside their regular schedule.
To make your reasoning compelling, focus on storytelling that shows the direct impact of donations and creates an emotional connection.
A great example is the content shared by EB Research Partnership on Instagram. This nonprofit organization often posts on Instagram about what life looks like for children with the Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) disease.
This approach puts a face to the cause, helping donors understand the real-world impact of their contributions. By sharing personal stories and vivid imagery, EB Research Partnership creates an emotional connection that motivates donors to give more generously.
11. 75% of donors look for information about a charity’s accomplishments before deciding to give.
People want to know that their contributions will make a real difference. Seeing concrete achievements helps build trust and confidence in the charity’s effectiveness.
To address this need, you can display social proof on your website. This can include testimonials, case studies, and trust badges that showcase your organization’s impact and credibility.
Here’s a great example by Pencils of Promise, which uses a number count animation to showcase the impact of their community:
12. Donation conversion rates double on Giving Tuesday and New Year’s Eve compared to other times of the year.
This spike likely happens because people feel more generous during the holiday season and are motivated by year-end tax deductions.
To capitalize on this trend, Charitable comes with a feature to display a fundraising thermometer on your donation form. This will create a sense of urgency and show real-time progress towards your goal.
13. 15% of donors said they stopped donating when the organization had reached its goal.
Donors often feel a sense of accomplishment when a need is met, which can lead to a decrease in ongoing support.
One way to solve this issue is to set progressive goals instead of a single large one. In other words, you can create a series of smaller, interconnected objectives to maintain your momentum.
For example, instead of making ‘raise money for our school’ as the goal, you can set progressive goals like ‘raise money for the school’s building,’ then for the supplies, and then for other needs like educational programs or technology upgrades.
This approach keeps donors engaged over a longer period and helps them see the ongoing impact of their contributions.
You also want to set up monthly giving plans, which can help maintain a steady income stream. Charitable offers a recurring donations feature that can be particularly useful for this.
With this tool, donors can log into their own accounts to view and manage recurring payments and get a summary of all their donations for the year.
This automated payment system not only makes it easier for donors to contribute regularly but also provides them with easy access to their giving history.
More Data About Donor Behaviors
Most people support one to three charities, with 36% giving to two, 24% to one, and 21% to three.
50% of donors would likely donate if asked unexpectedly by email.
33% of people stop donating when their expendable income changes.
24% of people who currently donate would switch to another charity if they liked it more.
Donations spike in November and December for both new and regular donors.
Large donations over $5,000 happen more often at the end of the year.
For regular donors, 94% choose monthly donations, 3% weekly, 2% yearly, and 1% every three months.
Gen Z and Gen X donors prefer donating through mobile apps, Facebook, social media, and texts.
Boomers and Gen X donors like to hear from charities every few months or once a year, not monthly or weekly.
On average, most donations happen on Tuesdays at 10 am, with the busiest time being 9-11 am in the donor’s time zone.
Regular donors are most likely to stop their donations in January.
Nonprofit Website Statistics You Must Know
These website statistics provide valuable insights for nonprofits looking to optimize their online presence.
14. WordPress.org is the top content management system for nonprofit websites (58%), compared to 7% using Wix, 6% using Squarespace, and 5% using Drupal.
Unlike other website builders like Wix or Squarespace, WordPress.org requires purchasing your own hosting. That being said, it still offers an unbeatable combination of ease of use, customizability, and extensibility.
The reason is that you can pick and choose your own nonprofit WordPress plugins to create a website that perfectly caters to your needs.
What’s more, setting up a WordPress.org site has become even easier thanks to hosting providers like Bluehost, which offers one-click WordPress installation. This feature significantly speeds up the setup, especially for those without technical experience.
Plus, WPBeginner readers can get 75% off of their first hosting purchase with our exclusive Bluehost discount.
15. 75% of nonprofits choose to use a .org domain for their primary website and email communications.
The .org domain stands for ‘organization.’ It is popular among nonprofits because it immediately signals to visitors that the website belongs to a mission-driven entity rather than a commercial company.
This choice can help build trust and credibility with potential donors and supporters, as it aligns with the nonprofit sector’s values and purposes.
If you’re in the market for a .org domain, we recommend checking out Domain.com. They offer competitive pricing and include domain privacy protection, which helps keep your personal information secure from public view.
Another option to consider is bundling your domain with your hosting service. Providers like Bluehost and Hostinger often include domain registration in their hosting packages, even offering the domain for free.
It’s an excellent way for nonprofits to simplify their website setup while potentially saving on costs.
16. Gen X donors cite an outdated website as the top reason for not donating to an organization.
An outdated website can suggest that an organization is not keeping up with current trends or technologies. This might make potential donors question the nonprofit’s credibility and legitimacy.
If you’re concerned about the state of your nonprofit’s website, then WPBeginner offers professional website services.
Whether you’re looking to design a custom site from scratch or revamp your existing one, our team can help you create a website that impresses donors.
Our service includes a dedicated project manager, multiple revision rounds to ensure your complete satisfaction, and a thorough training session to help you use and manage your new site.
If you want to learn more about how we can help modernize your nonprofit’s online presence, you can schedule a free consultation call with our team today.
17. Desktop users give the largest average donations at $118, followed by tablet users at $96 and mobile users at $79.
Desktop users often have a more comfortable browsing experience, which can lead to longer engagement and potentially larger donations. They may also be more likely to be at home or work, where they feel more secure making larger transactions.
Mobile users, on the other hand, might be on the go and more inclined to make quick, smaller donations.
This data highlights the importance of having a mobile-friendly website for your nonprofit.
First, you need a responsive nonprofit theme that automatically adjusts its layout and content to fit different screen sizes, from mobile to desktop.
Secondly, you need a donation form that works well on small screens. Thankfully, Charitable comes with templates that look good on all devices.
Alternatively, you can use WPForms to accept donations.
This form builder plugin has tons of donation form templates for specific use cases, from fundraiser registrations to Girl Scout Cookie orders, crowdfunding, volunteer applications, and so much more.
And the good news is that WPForms offers a special nonprofit discount. You can get WPForms Pro at $99 per year, which is 75% off of its normal pricing.
If you want to see the plugin in action, then you can check out our in-depth WPForms review.
18. 27% of nonprofits worldwide have fallen victim to cyberattacks.
As nonprofits increasingly rely on digital platforms for fundraising and donor engagement, they become attractive targets for cybercriminals looking for sensitive data or to disrupt operations.
It’s important to focus on cybersecurity in your nonprofit marketing strategy to protect your nonprofit’s online assets and hold onto donor trust. This includes safeguarding your website, donor databases, and email systems.
We recommend using a security plugin like Cloudflare, which we use at WPBeginner. It has improved our page load times, enhanced security, and overall website stability.
For more comprehensive protection and peace of mind, consider WPBeginner’s professional services.
We offer WordPress maintenance and hacked site repair services. Unlike a plugin, these services provide you with real human expertise to monitor and quickly respond to any security issues.
Our team can proactively protect your site, regularly update your WordPress installation and plugins, and swiftly address any security breaches if they occur.
More Nonprofit Website Statistics
75% of nonprofit website revenue comes from desktop devices, even though 57% of traffic is from mobile devices.
Users on desktop devices perform 65% of total transactions on nonprofit websites.
Nonprofit websites have an average bounce rate of 60-70%.
68% of online donors trust websites and email addresses that use the .org domain more than other domain extensions.
68% of nonprofits have a website security plan in place.
84% of nonprofits have an SSL certificate for their website.
38% of nonprofit marketers are planning for a significant website redesign.
Online donation pages have an average conversion rate of 8% on mobile devices.
20% of nonprofits have a website that is available in more than one language.
28% of nonprofits use email subscribe popups on their website.
How Social Media Compels Donors to Take Action
Social media platforms play a major role in driving donations for nonprofits. Here’s what the latest statistics reveal:
19. Facebook dominates as the top platform for social media donations (48%), compared to 24% on Instagram and less than 10% on other platforms.
Facebook’s success in driving donations is likely due to its large, diverse user base.
However, it’s important to note that these statistics may not apply universally. Your organization’s ideal platform depends on your specific audience.
For instance, if your nonprofit focuses on issues among younger generations, then Instagram or TikTok might have better results.
A great example is To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit movement that focuses on mental health. Since the issue is quite popular among younger audiences, it has a large following on Instagram.
20. TikTok audiences for nonprofits surged by 112% in 2024, far outpacing Facebook (6%) and Instagram (11%), while Twitter/X saw a slight decline of 1% in follower counts.
TikTok’s rapid growth can be linked to its popularity among younger users and its algorithm that supports new content discovery.
If it makes sense for your nonprofit organization, then consider creating a TikTok account to build awareness for your causes.
Once you start creating content, you may also want to embed TikTok videos on your WordPress site using Smash Balloon. Doing this can let your audience know about your TikTok presence and increase your followers.
21. Nonprofits with paid influencer campaigns used these partnerships for education or persuasion (79%), advocacy or volunteer recruitment (75%), and fundraising (50%).
Influencers, content creators, and public figures can be powerful allies in nonprofit marketing strategies. They bring their established audience and credibility to your cause, potentially reaching new donors and supporters.
However, the key to success lies in choosing the right influencer and crafting a campaign that feels authentic to both the influencer and your nonprofit’s mission.
A great example of this is actress Florence Pugh’s collaboration with Racing Dementia. She likes to make cooking videos, and for this campaign, she hosted a special ‘Cooking With Flo’ segment to talk about dementia.
The content uses her personal, engaging style to introduce a serious topic and combines entertainment with education about the cause.
As a result, Pugh’s followers learn about Racing Dementia in a way that feels natural and engaging, potentially increasing support for the nonprofit.
22. LinkedIn has the highest average conversion rate for donations among social media platforms (30% on mobile and 50% on desktop).
This high conversion rate on LinkedIn is likely due to its professional audience, which is often more financially stable and inclined to support causes.
To effectively market your nonprofit cause on LinkedIn, you can post regularly about how your organization is making a difference, using real-life infographics and data.
LinkedIn users love content that combines professional insights with personal stories. So, don’t be afraid to share the human side of your nonprofit’s work alongside impact statistics.
You will also want to encourage your team members to repost your content with their professional networks. This way, you’re not just relying on your organization’s page for reach. When employees share your content, it appears more authentic and can reach a wider audience.
More Nonprofit Social Media Content Marketing Trends
TikTok users have donated $7 million directly to charities through the app.
Facebook accounts for 83% of social media traffic to nonprofit campaigns, followed by Instagram at 11% and YouTube at 3%.
Instagram’s donation conversion rates are 30% on desktop and 20% on mobile.
Facebook converts donors at 23% on desktop and 14% on mobile.
YouTube has the lowest donation conversion rates at 13% on desktop and 6% on mobile.
25% of nonprofits have stopped posting on Twitter/X but still have their account.
8% of nonprofits have deleted their Twitter/X account.
15% of nonprofits rarely use Twitter/X.
Preferred Donation Payment Methods
The nonprofit fundraising statistics below reveal interesting trends in how donors choose to pay for their donations.
23. 55% of users prefer to donate online using their credit or debit cards.
Most people use cards regularly, making them a comfortable choice for online donations. It’s often as simple as entering card details once and then giving them with just a few clicks in the future.
If you use Charitable, then you can accept credit card payments through Stripe or debit cards using the Authorize.net addon.
The plugin ensures sensitive payment details are never stored on your website, protecting donors and your cause.
Charitable is also compliant with PCI, GDPR, and CCPA, so your donors’ data is protected according to the latest security and privacy standards. This can give donors peace of mind when supporting your cause.
Want an even simpler way to accept donation payments? Consider WP Simple Pay.
This Stripe payment plugin is perfect if you’re only running a single campaign and don’t need the extra donation features offered by Charitable. Plus, you can set up a pay-what-you-want option to give donors the freedom to donate the amount they can afford.
If you want to learn more about the plugin, you can read our WP Simple Pay review.
24. The average single donation was nearly 1.5 times larger when nonprofits offered ACH, PayPal, and digital wallet payments.
This increase in donation size might be because these payment methods cater to different donor preferences.
Some people feel more secure using PayPal, while others prefer the convenience of digital wallets. ACH payments can be attractive for larger donations due to lower transaction fees.
Fortunately, Charitable accepts ACH, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, among others through its integrated payment methods.
By using Charitable, you can offer your donors a wide range of payment options, potentially increasing both the number and size of donations to your cause.
More Trends in Nonprofit Payment Methods
Direct mail follows credit and debit cards as the preferred donation payment method, at 16%.
PayPal accounts for 10% of donations.
Wire transfers make up 5% of donations.
Cash donations account for 4% of contributions.
Digital wallets and text-to-give each represent 1% of donations.
1 out of 4 nonprofits doesn’t try to re-secure a recurring donation after a credit card number changes, which is a lost opportunity.
Offering digital wallets can increase mobile conversion rates by up to 14%.
Recurring gifts through ACH are 55% larger than those made via credit card.
Monthly recurring donors who give via ACH are retained for 20% longer than those who use debit or credit cards.
Nonprofit Communication and Content Marketing Strategy
Even if you’re using the right tools, your efforts can go to waste without the right communication and content marketing strategy. Here are some key statistics to give you ideas:
25. Personalized emails have 82% higher open rates compared to generic emails.
Personalization is when you tailor your email content to individual recipients. This can include using their name, mentioning past interactions, or segmenting your email list based on donor behavior. People are more likely to open emails that feel relevant to them personally.
To help with personalization, consider using an email marketing tool like Constant Contact.
This platform allows you to add dynamic content to your subject lines, including the contact’s name. If you don’t have their name captured in your database, you can use a fallback option like ‘Friend’ or ‘Valued Member.’
26. 58% of donors prefer talking to an individual within the nonprofit organization rather than from the brand itself.
People tend to trust and relate more to other individuals than to faceless organizations. This approach can be particularly effective in email fundraising.
For example, in email campaigns, messages could come from a specific team member rather than a generic organizational email. You can even create a professional email using the team member’s name, like john@nonprofit.com, to add an even more personal touch.
Other than that, you can use our free tool to create a custom, personal email signature. This lets you design a professional email signature that shows off your name, position, and profile picture so that users can see that the email comes from a real person and not a bot.
27. Donors respond best to hopeful messages (41.5%), followed by aspirational (27.3%), fear-based (15.5%), and guilt-based (10.3%) messages.
Hopeful and aspirational messages motivate donors by showing them the potential positive impact of their contributions rather than focusing on negative consequences or guilt.
For example, instead of saying, ‘Without your help, children will go hungry’ (fear-based), a more effective message might be, ‘Your donation can help provide nutritious meals to children in need’ (hopeful). This approach emphasizes the solution rather than the problem.
If you’re not sure how to reframe your original copy into a more positive note, consider using an AI writer. These content generators can suggest alternative phrasings, generate ideas for success stories, or help craft compelling calls-to-action that focus on hope and positive impact.
You can read our guide on how to use AI to generate content for more information. But remember, while AI can be a helpful resource, it’s important to personalize the content to make sure it fits your nonprofit’s voice.
28. Digital donation campaigns that use segmentation can increase revenue by up to 760% compared to non-segmented campaigns.
Segmentation means dividing your audience into smaller groups based on specific characteristics or behaviors. This allows you to tailor your messages to each group, making them more relevant and effective.
For effective email segmentation, we recommend Drip, which we use for our own email marketing campaigns at WPBeginner. Drip’s powerful segmentation tools have significantly improved our email marketing results.
With Drip, we can create highly targeted emails based on specific user actions or characteristics. For example, if a subscriber clicks on a particular link in our email, we can tag them as interested in that topic. This allows us to send them more relevant content in the future.
More Nonprofit Content Marketing and Communication Strategies
61% of donors want to hear stories about an organization’s impact and how their services are helping.
84% of donors say they’re more likely to donate if a match is offered.
Nonprofits send an average of 3 email newsletters and 2 donation appeals monthly.
46% of nonprofits mostly share news, upcoming events, and marketing programs.
45% of nonprofits focus on showing how they help.
41% of nonprofits focus on optimistic messaging most of the time.
30% of nonprofits share inspiring stories regularly.
25% of nonprofits frequently display their expertise.
Only 17% of nonprofits provide motivation most of the time.
Just 5% of nonprofits say they ask for money on social media most of the time.
Almost 60% of nonprofits rarely or never post funny content.
39% of nonprofits plan to change words or language to better describe their work or programs.
31% of nonprofits plan a significant email newsletter template redesign.
Emerging Nonprofit Marketing Tech Trends
Nonprofits are using more tech to raise funds and connect with donors. Here’s what you should know:
29. 67% of nonprofits use customer relationship management (CRM) software to track donations and manage communications.
CRM software helps nonprofits organize donor information and stay in touch easily. It’s great for planning marketing and raising more money.
Take HubSpot CRM, for example. With it, you can gather supporter info through forms, chatbots, social media, and more. Your team can then follow up with potential donors, see how people interact with your nonprofit, and make the donor experience better.
HubSpot gives you a big-picture view of all your marketing efforts, which helps in creating a solid nonprofit marketing plan.
For more information, you can check out our full HubSpot review.
30. 60% of nonprofits are exploring AI but haven’t formalized any policies yet.
This means many nonprofits are interested in using AI for marketing and fundraising, but they haven’t set official rules for it yet. As AI becomes more common in nonprofit tools, it’s important to have guidelines.
When using AI in nonprofit marketing, consider keeping your nonprofit’s unique voice, making sure AI-created content is accurate, using AI to help and not replace human creativity, and protecting donor information when using AI for data analysis.
All these are essential to maintain your donors’ trust.
More Tech Trends in Nonprofit Marketing
56% of nonprofits have partially implemented automation tools in some marketing areas.
32% of nonprofits are not currently considering AI for marketing efforts.
