Case Study: Optimizing Donation Page Layout to Improve Conversions

dice icon

86% Growth

in revenue

Objective:

At Brad Cecil & Associates, we are dedicated to designing donor experiences that deliver measurable results. This case study explores how changes to the layout of a donation page—including repositioning credit card fields and reformatting the gift array—drove a dramatic increase in conversions and revenue.

Challenge:

A donation page can make or break a donor’s decision to give. For this campaign, we identified areas where the page design introduced unnecessary friction, contributing to a lower-than-expected conversion rate. Our hypothesis was that reorganizing the page layout would make the giving process more intuitive and increase completed donations.

BCA Approach:

We redesigned the donation page to streamline the donor experience, testing the impact of these changes through an A/B experiment:

  • Control: The original layout featured credit card fields at the bottom and a traditional gift array using radio buttons.
  • Treatment: The updated design moved credit card fields to the top and replaced radio buttons with rectangular buttons for gift amounts, creating a more user-friendly interface.

This design was carefully crafted to reduce distractions, improve usability, and guide donors toward completing their gifts efficiently.

Control:

Treatment:

Results:

This design was carefully crafted to reduce distractions, improve usability, and guide donors toward completing their gifts efficiently.

  • 86% Revenue Growth:  Increased conversions translated directly into a substantial boost in total revenue.
  • No Change in Average Gift: The boost in revenue came entirely from more completed donations, showing the effectiveness of the new design in converting visitors.
  • No Drop in Traffic: The number of visitors to the page remained consistent, isolating the layout as the primary driver of success.

These results demonstrate how targeted design adjustments can meaningfully enhance donor engagement and financial outcomes.

Key Insights:

  1. Streamlining Increases Success: Simplified donation page layouts reduce friction and make it easier for donors to complete their gifts.
  2. Focus on Essential Actions: Repositioning key fields, like credit card information, improves usability and ensures donors can act quickly.
  3. Design Enhances Accessibility: Replacing radio buttons with rectangular buttons makes gift options clearer and more engaging.
  4. Results Are in the Details: The steady average gift and unchanged traffic confirm that layout improvements were the sole factor in driving these results.

Why This Matters:

This case shows how even small design adjustments can have a profound impact on donor behavior. By optimizing the giving process, nonprofits can increase revenue, enhance user experience, and build trust with supporters.

The BCA Difference:

At BCA, we focus on the intersection of data, design, and donor behavior to create strategies that work. Our team partners with you to refine every aspect of the donor experience, ensuring your campaigns drive measurable success.

What we offer:

  • Data-Driven Design: Leveraging insights to create intuitive and effective donor interfaces.
  • Ongoing Optimization: Testing and refining to ensure continuous improvement.
  • Sustained Impact: Building strategies that deliver short-term wins and long-term growth.

What’s Next for Your Campaigns?

This case underscores the importance of thoughtful design in boosting donor engagement and revenue. Whether you’re optimizing donation forms or rethinking your broader digital strategy, BCA is ready to help you unlock your campaign’s full potential.

Let’s get started — contact Brad Cecil & Associates today.