The impact of Google on Internet browsing is evident and undeniable. By "simply" leveraging it's search tools into an advertising medium, Google has made it easy for anyone to sell something, buy something, or make money (just ONE example is by hosting ad space on your website/blog). In doing this, Google is in someways showing us the pen, selling us the pen and than holding the paper.
Their impact and presence in the technology industry is in line with that of Apple's, Microsoft's and David Pogue, but unlike Apple or Microsoft (and David Pogue really) Google offers it's tools to us for free - specifically, no money out of pocket is required. Yet, they still make lots of money. While there are many GTools out there, the tools I'm specifically referring to are those listed within the (often ignored) link below the search bar titled, "Business Solutions".
Keeping with our mission at onLine, these tools are a godsend for the non-profit on a budget and passionately understands the importance of their site for promoting their mission and receiving donations. It's for this reason I will cover, in a three posts series, the tools a non-profit website should be making sure they are taking advantage of (if they're not already).
I cannot afford to waste my time making money. - Louis Agassiz
I. Income
Bringing in funds to your non-profit is tremendously important, but is probably a secondary thought to your mission (otherwise you'd be a for-profit). So it's important to make sure that you are using a reputable tool that offers security and ease of use. Enter Checkout.
Tool: Google Checkout
"Google Checkout is a fast, convenient checkout process that brings you more customers and allows them to buy from you with a single login – and you can process their orders and charge their credit or debit cards for free."
Selling with Checkout requires no money out of your organization's pocket. For every sale, a 2% + $0.20/transaction is charged. For some this may seem like a lot, but given the ease of use and and security from Google's Payment Guarantee, which "protects 98% of Checkout orders on average - [so] when an order is guaranteed, you get paid even if it results in a chargeback" - it seems very worth it.
Implementing requires knowledge of basic HTML and can be completed within an hour. Beginning Checkout simply requires signing up and integrating the HTML code onto your site.
The kicker with using Checkout is that for non-profits (501(c)3), you can also accept donations online. This two-fold opportunity not only allows your non-profit to sell, but to accept donations- all for the benefit of your cause!
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