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User research and non-profits |
Do you listen to your users? Do you ask them for feedback about what you’re doing online? Do you update your website to better serve the needs of those visiting? As a non-profit, you should be answering “yes” to all of these questions!
Researching users is important for any business. Software companies watch people use their products to identify potential problems. eCommerce stores monitor traffic within their site to see where visitors leave during the checkout process. Large commercial companies conduct market research to see who consumes their products. Many successful non-profits also realize why user research is important.
User research is, in fact, MORE important for non-profits than for any commercial company. As a non-profit, you’re not just asking for a quick purchase or decision – you’re asking for a relationship. That’s the only thing that’s going to get folks to donate after all. Have you ever heard of a relationship where only one person talks and doesn’t listen? It doesn’t work too well. I suggest you start a conversation with your users. Send them surveys, schedule interviews, ask for feedback. Then, apply their feedback into your web presence. Your users will thank you.
Are you listening? If so, let us know how you’re listening and what you’re learning in the comments.
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URL: www.ExtremeNetworks.com
How's the data field...I make it a point to play the field at least once a week with my execution files!! Really, the non-profit ballgame has a lot of snap to it. Since I last commented I've arranged a special satellite link-up for my friends here at the connectioncafe...Available real soon will be one of my download software specialties, The WS_FTP version 12 at www.IpSwitch.com...Make sure you get yourself a copy...Good day.
URL: http://www.myrelationshipguy.com/training
Great point. It's amazing how many connections nonprofits can make by connecting with people through social media. The relationship building aspect is key since people who know you are far more likely to care about what you do. Proactive nonprofits have learned that they can disseminate their message, make contacts with prospective donors and enlist volunteers by building connections online.
URL: http://www.InfoSystem(Data)Technology.org
In viewing the data submitted by users, I've concluded that each individual organizations should have their very own data link. This reduction in data trafficking would also allow bandwidth dimensions and software data clusters to link-in and download with virtually minimal interference.
URL: http://www.connectioncafe.com
Great comment, David. One thing I've seen some savvy clients doing is using Ning to create social networks specifically for their org. It's a great way to collect feedback from users in an open forum to elicit discussions and conversations. http://www.ning.com
URL: diabetes.org
Agree; challenge for VHO's is transferring "help" and "hope" motivations behind initial constituent site visits into activation behavior: just what is it in that particular content for that particular visitor that gets them to convert? Surveys are a great way to get at these underlying conscious and unconscious motivations. Very interested in hearing more about what others are doing. -- D David Nickelson, PsyD, JD Director, Internet Strategy & Operations Marketing Communications American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 ph.: 703-299-5522 fax: 703-299-5512 dnickelson@diabetes.org http://www.facebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation twitter.com/AmDiabetesAssn twitter.com/DrDNickelson linkedin.com/in/dwnickelson