By Noah Roberts, Web Developer, Packerland Websites

Unfortunately, small businesses are top targets for cyberattacks. Our clients need websites to be up and running 24/7/365. Any disruptions can result in a loss of business and reputation. Fortunately, the Packerland Websites’ team takes cybersecurity seriously. We implement the latest security measures to protect clients’ websites from hacking and cyberattacks.

Website Back-ups Stored on Off-Site Servers

First, we run full backups of the site monthly and then weekly incremental backups in between. Essentially, if something changes on the website in between the full monthly backups, the weekly back-ups save the data. The backup websites are stored off site in a secure location. This ensures that we have an up-to-date, accurate snapshot of the website stored in a secure place. Additionally, we have the ability to implement daily backups, if requested. Some of our most complex and high-traffic websites prefer daily back-ups for cybersecurity.

Webpage Restoration After a Cyberattack

Second, if something happens to the website, it’s typically a seamless process to get the site restored from those backups. In most cases, it takes just a matter of minutes. When a client notifies us of a cyberattack, we restore a previous version in short order. However, if the website is down due to a server issue, we would have to wait for response from our server partners. Good news! Our server partners guarantee a 99.9% uptime, so downtime is extremely rare. Our server partners quickly resolve any issues, and we have confidence in their response time. 

Expired Domain Names Require Attention

Third, let’s look at another issue that affects uptime. If a website goes down due to an expired domain, we would need to get the domain issue sorted out before the site could be restored. The time it takes to resolve this issue affects how quickly we can get the website back up. The client might have to renew the domain if it has expired and make sure it is properly secured for the future. Domains can be registered by Packerland Websites or in a client’s domain registrar. When renewing a domain name, be aware of Domain Names Scams.

Cybersecurity Tools & Personnel

When a website goes down because of a malicious attack, Packerland Website has the cybersecurity tools and personnel to bring the webpage back online. Cybersecurity measures are built into every website we design, giving clients confidence and peace of mind. For secure, effective, and dynamic websites that help you achieve your goals, contact us today.

A website is much more than just a brochure on the internet. Instead, it’s a complex tool that leads a target audience on a journey to learn more about your organization. Viewers navigate through tabs, pages, links, calendars, contact forms, and other features to find what they’re looking for. If a website is user-friendly, the user experience will be easy and fulfilling.

Make Conversions

The end result is action. Visitors will tap the one-touch phone icon to give you a call. Fill in the contact form and send a message. Complete a job application and submit it to HR. Purchase a product. Schedule an appointment … you get the idea. A powerful, effective website funnels users along a path to a desired endpoint. Thus, a website out-performs a simple brochure by a mile. One goal of a website is to attract, interest, and motivate your target audience. The result? Making conversions.

Define Your Target Audience

Websites with all the bells and whistles are impressive. However, they might not be effective in reaching a target audience. Defining a primary, secondary, and tertiary target audience is Step 1 when we meet with clients. Together with the client, we step back to look at who we’re creating the website for. Many times, a client is aware of its primary audience, saying, “I need to reach my customers.” Yet by thinking only about one particular group, they miss out on other visitors that shouldn’t be ignored.

A well-developed website relates to and speaks directly to each, individual audience.

Visitors feel at-home when they browse the website. It’s as if the site was built just for them.

Speak to Your Website Visitors

For example, let’s consider Artists for the Humanities. A4TH is a nonprofit organization using expressive art as a healing tool for disabled military veterans and at-risk community populations. Essentially, A4TH appeals to three unique target audiences. When designing the A4TH website, our developers paid special attention to each audience.

1. Disabled Veterans and other individuals who have experienced trauma or other challenges
2. Artists interested in getting involved with the organization to provide expressive art therapy
3. Donors who support the nonprofit organization and provide art therapy as a free service

Create an Effective Design

In every website, we design multiple elements to reach the primary, secondary, and tertiary audience. Our design elements include headings, images, keywords, call-to-action buttons, breakout blocks, contact forms, and more.

Hit Your Target

One of the best ways to get internet results is to identify and define a target audience. Then, tailor your website to attract, interest, and motivate this audience. Speak to each audience directly. Sound easy? The team at Packerland Websites is ready to help. Contact us today for professional marketing and promotional services that hit their target.

Is your nonprofit organization gearing up for an end-of-the year fundraising campaign? The Coronavirus has changed the way nonprofits conduct fundraising campaigns, so many charities are turning to virtual platforms and software options. If your nonprofit decides to go virtual and forego an in-person event, you have some decisions to make. For example, what are the best virtual fundraising services and software choices for your nonprofit organization? Virtual fundraising services simplify the process of conducting online fundraisers. Additionally, virtual fundraising platforms securely collect donations from donors. Some platforms also provide a database to record volunteer information, sponsorships, and corporate gifts.

Here are some resources to review before launching an online campaign. Special thanks to Melissa Jagodinsky of the Volunteer Center of Brown County for contributing to this list of resources.

Virtual Fundraising Services

GiveSmart: https://www.givesmart.com Family Services uses this platform for its virtual Green & Gold Gala; https://e.givesmart.com/events/hkM/; The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay Community Foundation uses this platform for “20 for 2020” virtual event (in lieu of an in-person Power of the Purse event) https://e.givesmart.com/events/gcQ/

Classy: https://www.classy.org/ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast WI uses this platform for their monthly giving campaign; https://www.classy.org/give/218268/#!/donation/checkout

Network for Good: https://www.networkforgood.com/; CASA of Brown County uses this platform for its Circle of Champions campaign and for other donation; https://casabc.networkforgood.com/projects/102522-circle-of-champions-2020

Bloomerang (This database allows nonprofits to combine volunteer information as well as sponsorships and corporate gifts): https://bloomerang.co/; Golden House uses this platform for donations, etc.; https://www.goldenhousegb.org/give-support/donate/

GiveGab: https://www.givegab.com; The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation uses this platform for its Give Big Green Bay events each February

32 auctions: https://www.32auctions.com/ The Greater Green Bay Chamber uses this platform for its Annual Luncheon/Dinner silent auction

Kindful: https://kindful.com; The Oconto Area Humane Society uses this platform for its virtual dog walk

Salsa: https://www.salsalabs.com/

Giveffect: https://www.giveffect.com/

Blackbaud/Raisers Edge: https://www.blackbaud.com/

Fundly (crowdfunding platform): https://fundly.com/

CharityNet USA: https://charitynetusa.com/services/fundraising/

Many, Many More.

Let us know which virtual fundraising services you like to use! Likewise, contact us for advice and opportunities to collaborate on your next online fundraising campaign. We’ll open our tool chest of marketing strategies to find an approach that will make you money.

No doubt, economic times are tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofit organizations that rely on in-person fundraisers are especially hard hit due to the Coronavirus regulations that discourage in-person gatherings. Despite this challenge, we believe money is still flowing into the charitable organizations. Charitable, 401 (c)(3) corporations do so much good for the community. People continue to support their favorite causes. Even if they can’t run a race, walk a 5K, or bid at an auction, many supports are still willing to donate. An online nonprofit fundraiser is a worthwhile alternative to consider.

In this article, Bill Koehne of Packerland Websites and Joan Koehne of Writer to the Rescue share ideas regarding digital/traditional media promotions to make your online nonprofit fundraiser a success. In related articles, we list 12 virtual fundraising services that make money and tips for conducting virtual nonprofit fundraisers. We are happy to collaborate, so contact us with your fundraising vision. We’ll open our tool chest of marketing strategies listed below, and find the right approach that leads to a successful online nonprofit fundraiser.

Add Fundraising Page to Your Website

Create a fundraising page on your website that explains the benefits of giving and includes a donation button. Share the page URL via your organization’s social media channels. Add a pop-up and/or advertisement and Donate Button to your website’s Home page for one-time and year-round giving. We can help you determine the best marketing strategy, give direction and assist with page development.

Create a Media Release/Ad

Create a media release and advertisement and send these to the local news outlets asking for free publication. Ask your sponsors to share the releases with their contacts. We can write and format media releases to industry standards and create attention-getting, educational, attractive ads with a clear call to action.

Publish and Distribute an e-Newsletter

Publish the ad/media release and photos in the organization’s newsletter, if you have one. Ask your sponsors to share the newsletter with their contacts. We can compile information, write, format, and publish newsletters that reinforce the organization’s brand and promote the fundraiser.

Launch an email marketing campaign

Launch an email marketing campaign through Constant Contact or another provider, using email addresses on file for potential and past donors. Be sure to send a thank you email as a follow-up. Ask your sponsors to share the email blast with their contacts. We can craft email marketing campaigns that encourage the audience to open, read, and give.

Implement Social Media Campaigns

If your organization has a Facebook page, it only takes a few clicks to create a Fundraiser. Promote the fundraiser in posts, videos, testimonials, image, etc. Publish on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. if applicable. Ask your organization’s members to share posts on their personal pages. Ask your sponsors to share the posts on their social media sites. Add a donate button to social media pages. We currently manage Facebook accounts for several clients, publishing bi-weekly posts along with images, slide shows, photo albums, videos, events, etc.

Send Direct Mail to Your Address List

Send a simple, attractive flier to the contacts on your address list. Include an easy-return envelope. Ask your sponsors for the addresses they are entitled to share. We can write promotional messages for nonprofit fundraiser fliers. We collaborate with a local printer for final design, printing, and mailing.

Conduct an Online Auction

Virtual auction services are available to display prizes, register bidders, manage an auction, and collect secure payments. You would be responsible for soliciting prizes from sponsors, taking and publishing photos of the prizes, writing descriptions, setting opening bids, delivering the prize, etc. Auctions make money. However, the set-up, promotional campaign, and follow-up require time and effort.
We can assist with all aspects of an online auction.

Solicit Donors for Matching Gifts

Invite a major donor to match the gifts you collect. In return, you mention the donor in promotions. Encourage employees to request a matching gift from their employers. We can write compelling letters to donors telling a nonprofit organization’s story, the purpose of the fundraising campaign, and how the donor can make a difference.

Find Success with Your Online Nonprofit Fundraiser

Nonprofit fundraising is challenging during the best of times, and the COVID-19 pandemic adds a new twist. Transitioning from an in-person fundraising event to an online nonprofit fundraiser is a strategy worth considering. For assistance with marketing strategies that lead to successful online nonprofit fundraisers, contact Bill at Bill@PackerlandWebsites.com or Joan (AKA, the Wonder Writer) at Joan@writertotherescue.com.

Despite the obstacles nonprofit organizations face today, these institutions are still improving the lives of others. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, securing funds to continue their mission is a bigger challenge than ever. In so many instances, COVID-19 changed the approach to nonprofit fundraisers. To comply with Coronavirus precautions, some nonprofits created virtual events, like those for runners, bikers, and walkers. Additionally, organizations are holding drop-off food drives, virtual artistic and musical events, and fundraising campaigns of all sorts. Certainly, we believe the power of giving is flourishing, even during a pandemic. So, how can you take advantage of this generosity? What is the best route for your nonprofit fundraisers?

Hosting Virtual Nonprofit Fundraisers

In this article, we share ideas regarding live-streamed virtual fundraising events that result in successful nonprofit fundraisers. In related articles, we list 12 virtual fundraising services that make money and a COVID-19 Guide to Virtual Nonprofit Fundraisers. Packerland Websites and Writer to the Rescue are eager to collaborate!

Hosting a live-streamed virtual fundraising event on Facebook, Zoom, or another streaming platform allows you to interact with your target audience in real time. Live-streamed events bring a personal touch to fundraising that’s not available in other types of donation campaigns. Additionally, cyber-fundraising is cost-effective and accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. You generate excitement for your nonprofit without worrying about the risk of group gatherings or the need for social distancing

With a live-streamed fundraiser, you have a golden opportunity to showcase the good work you do. Show and tell your story through video, featuring speakers in a setting related to organization. Keep it fun. Keep it simple, and transition smoothly from one topic to another.

Sharing Essential Elements with Livestream Audience

• Who are you? Tell about your organization’s history, membership, how to become a member
• What do you do? Mission, recent activity, major projects
• When does the fundraiser begin and end? When will you use the funding?
• Where does your organization make an impact? Your home base and the region you cover
• Why raise money? How will people make a difference by donating?
• How do people donate? This is your call to action – invite people to donate securely online through your website or a crowd funding service. Tell about any matching funds or incentives for donors, like prize drawings, swag, or freebies.

Adding a Personal Touch to Fundraising

A live-streamed virtual fundraising event on Facebook or Zoom brings a personal touch to fundraising. Cyber-fundraisers cost less to plan and host than in-person events. These events not only promote your charitable work, they also affirm how donors are making an impact by giving. For assistance with setting goals, writing outlines and scripts, and creating announcements and marketing strategies, contact Bill at Bill@PackerlandWebsites.com or Joan (AKA, the Wonder Writer) at Joan@writertotherescue.com. For more tips about virtual nonprofit fundraisers, visit “How to Plan and Host a Virtual Fundraiser.”

“Hire someone smarter than I am.” That’s what I tell myself when I recruit employees, and I’m pleased to say that the Packerland Websites team is getting smarter every week. As part of our corporate culture, Packerland Websites provides ongoing company time and tuition reimbursement for continuous learning. Fostering a learning environment on the job helps to motivate and grow employees, while at the same time, improves quality and performance for clients.

Benefits of Learning

Above all, continuing education gives our staff the opportunity to study something worthwhile, add to their knowledge base, and do their best work. Not only are team members learning something new, they also share what they learn with one another, magnifying the impact of a single class. The investment is well worth it, and our customers reap the benefits.

Q&A with the Packerland Websites Team

Check out this Back-to-School Q&A to find out what these tech geeks are learning and the effect it has on website design and customer relations. Let’s turn it over to Packerland Websites developers Tom, Noah, and Miranda. (Click here to read about what Mike is learning.)

Instilling a Lifelong Love of Learning

Technology is every changing, and the Packerland Websites team is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest coming down the pike. For all students and staff heading back to school, enjoy your first day – and study hard all year! The Packerland Websites team hopes you develop a lifelong love of learning.

Working with Packerland Websites just got better. This month we rolled out two new customer relationship tools – a chat bot and an updated support ticket. The chat bot links you to a team member to answer your questions on the spot. The bot offers an easy way to communicate with us during business hours. (If nobody answers, leave a message and someone will respond later.) The other new tool, the updated support ticket, offers more assurances that we received your ticket and are working on your request.

Here’s how the support ticket works. Immediately after submitting a request, you will see a pop-up message that says: “Thank you, your support ticket has been sent.” The pop-up message is a new feature we added to give you peace of mind. The message confirms that your ticket is in our support system.

A follow-up email reconfirms that we received your support request. This email includes the details of your request, showing  the issue to be resolved. This is another new feature. Once our team resolves your issue, you receive a confirmation email. This email announces that your support request has been addressed and completed.

Support tickets are resolved within three business days, and tickets take precedence over emailed requests. To access the support ticket, visit the Contact Us page on Packerland’s website and click the Submit a Support Ticket button.

We value our relationship with you and continue to seek out new ways to respond to your needs. The chat bot and updated support system are designed with you in mind. The ongoing security, functionality and performance of your website is important to us. These new tools help us to offer the very best in customer service and website maintenance. Let us know how we can update your website to your liking.

My husband, Bill, the owner of Packerland Websites, never liked the term Social Distancing. He thinks it should be called physical distancing instead. As an outgoing extrovert, he doesn’t like the thought of being distant from anyone. Here’s his suggestion: Change social distancing to socializing at a distance.

Worried about the Coronavirus?

Life is far from normal, and everyone is affected by the Coronavirus in some way. Additionally, we are dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Not only are we worried about catching COVID-19, we’re also concerned about job loss, personal finances, the economy, the future… That’s a lot to handle alone, but it’s easier to deal with these worries when family and friends support you.

Stay Social

Bill’s advice is to stay social. Connect with family and friends with a phone call, text, Facebook Messenger or Portal, Snapchat, online games, etc. In your social circle, include grandparents, neighbors, and others who might need a friend. By sharing a conversation and a laugh, you reduce the risk of isolation, boredom, and loneliness.

Working Remotely, Yet Still Connected

We’re following the rules and physically distancing ourselves from others. For example, members of the Packerland Websites’ team are working from home. While we’re physically distant we’re also making an effort to stay connected. Currently, Bill is in an online video conference with Packerland Websites’ employees.

Social Distance as a Family

Our son, Will, is an epidemiologist (How many parents can say that?) and is part of the City of Philadelphia’s response to the Coronavirus. He says it’s an exciting but stressful time to work in public health. He answers a lot of questions from the public and has been our expert on COVID-19.  Will joined our family’s video chat on Friday night and suggested we chat more often. We all liked the idea.

Stay Connected

In many ways we can work and socialize at a physical distance yet stay connected. Maintaining social relationships contributes to a positive attitude during these challenging times. So, make someone’s day by sending a letter or sharing a story, photo, joke, or words of encouragement. Be social!