21 Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits Reviewed For 2024
10 Best Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 21 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Navigating the digital landscape for nonprofit organizations can be as challenging as finding the right tools to elevate your cause. Many nonprofits struggle to find adequate resources to support their mission, leading to increased stress and decreased impact.
As an ecommerce tech analyst, I’ve observed a growing demand for solutions that directly address these challenges. Using my expertise in ecommerce platforms, I evaluated and reviewed several of the top solutions available for nonprofits to help source the best options.
Whether you’re looking to implement a new platform or enhance your current system, my guide will help you make informed decisions that benefit both your organization and your mission. Here are my picks of the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits.
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How To Choose The Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits
Remember the following points as you work through your unique software selection process.
- Budget and Cost Management: Nonprofits often operate on tight budgets, so it's important to consider the initial setup costs, and ongoing maintenance fees, and be aware of hidden costs such as transaction fees and additional costs for features or plugins.
- Integration Capabilities: Nonprofits typically use various tools such as donor management, email marketing, and event registration. The ecommerce platform must integrate with the existing software, ensuring smooth data flow between systems.
- Scalability and Flexibility: As your nonprofit grows, your ecommerce platform should scale with you. This includes handling increased traffic, expanding product lines, and adding new features without significant downtime, performance issues, or requiring a complete overhaul.
- Security and Compliance: Protecting donor information and ensuring secure transactions is essential for any nonprofit. The ecommerce platform should be PCI-compliant and offer solid security features such as SSL certificates and fraud prevention tools.
- User Experience and Support: A user-friendly interface is essential for the nonprofit staff managing the store and the supporters making purchases or donations. Access to com support and resources can help resolve issues quickly and keep the store running smoothly.
Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits Summary
We’ve investigated the pricing and availability of free trials and demo versions so you can make a much simpler side-by-side comparison.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| PrestaShop | From $26/month | Website |
| OpenCart | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Flipcause | From $125/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Donorbox | From $139/month | Website |
| Weebly | From $10/month (billed annually) | Website |
| ShopBase | From $17/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Bonfire | From 3.5% fee on additional donations | Website |
| Zeffy | Free | Website |
| Givecloud | From $69/month (max 5 users) | Website |
| Ecwid | From $21/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits Reviews
This in-depth analysis provides overviews of the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits. It discusses the pros and cons, features, and best use cases.
PrestaShop offers over 4,000 modules, allowing nonprofits to add functionalities and create an online platform for donor and fundraising management, merchandise sales, and event registrations.
Why I Picked PrestaShop: PrestaShop’s open-source framework and scalability allow the website to grow alongside the nonprofit, from small, local operations to large, global organizations. It continuously adapts by upgrading features, adding new modules, and integrating third-party systems like CRM and donor management tools. It can create donation pages and custom payment gateways, enabling nonprofits to build their platform piece by piece, adding features as needed.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an open-source platform, modular architecture with over 4,000 extensions, multi-language and multi-currency support, customizable themes, and integrated SEO tools. It also includes mobile-friendly design, multi-store management, customizable checkout process, and payment gateway integrations.
Integrations include eBay, Amazon, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, PayPal, Stripe, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multi-store management
- Tax exemptions and management
- Customizable checkout and donation flows
Cons:
- Nonprofits handle updates and security themselves
- Lacks donor management tools
OpenCart is an open-source ecommerce platform for nonprofits’ online donations, merchandise sales, and event registrations. It offers an extensive marketplace of free and paid extensions to add tools for donor management and fundraising integrations without technical expertise.
Why I Picked OpenCart: Due to its open-source nature, OpenCart offers customization and flexibility features. Nonprofits can tailor their online store or donation portal to fit their needs without being confined to pre-built templates or functionality. It supports multiple currencies and languages and can manage different storefronts, campaigns, or events from a single backend. It includes over 13,000 extensions, allowing nonprofits to build a site as simple or complex as needed.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include multiple storefront management, multi-language and multi-currency support, a modular extension system, customizable themes, an integrated affiliate system, and built-in SEO tools. It also includes reporting and analytics and an open-source framework for full customization.
Integrations include PayPal Checkout and eBay Marketplace.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Users can choose hosting providers
- Customizable donation system
- Highly scalable for international nonprofits
Cons:
- User-dependent security management
- Potential high customization costs
Flipcause offers tools to create and manage an online store where nonprofits can sell merchandise, event tickets, and registrations. It also provides tools for peer-to-peer fundraising, recurring donations, and volunteer management.
Why I Picked Flipcause: Flipcause offers a fully integrated online store that combines fundraising, merchandise sales, and supporter engagement. Its built-in CRM system automatically combines all interactions, donations, purchases, or event registrations. It ensures nonprofits can keep track of donor histories, manage volunteer information, segment supporters for future campaigns, and create personalized engagement strategies.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include unlimited product listings, customizable donation and fundraising pages, automated acknowledgment letters, and tax receipts. The platform also has volunteer management tools, real-time analytics, and reporting for campaign tracking.
Integrations include Weebly, Classy TeamRaiser, Neon Fundraise, and DonorDrive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable storefront
- Built-in CRM integration
- Crowdfunding and event management
Cons:
- Platform fees on transactions
- Limited payment processor options
Donorbox supports one-time and recurring donations, crowdfunding, and peer-to-peer campaigns. Its customizable forms can be embedded into websites or hosted directly by Donorbox.
Why I Picked Donorbox: Donorbox can create customizable multi-step donation forms embedded into a nonprofit’s website or through Donorbox’s servers. It offers options to change the branding, color, and layout to match the nonprofit’s identity. It supports different payment methods, including cryptocurrency and credit cards, and allows nonprofits to set up recurring donations with suggested donation amounts.
It also provides tools for creating personalized thank-you emails, integration with the CRM system, automated tax receipt generation, and peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding options.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable donation forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, event management tools, and the UltraSwift checkout process, which reduces donor drop-off rates. Donorbox also allows donors to cover transaction fees, ensuring nonprofits receive the total donation amount.
Integrations include Salesforce, Mailchimp, Zapier, Double the Donation, Stripe, PayPal, Google Analytics, QuickBooks, Slack, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Exit-intent popups
- Embeddable donation forms
- Supports cryptocurrency donations
Cons:
- Syncing issues with exported data
- Branding limitations on hosted pages
Weebly is an easy-to-use solution for creating online stores and websites. It offers customizable templates and integrated tools for managing donations, selling products, and promoting fundraising efforts.
Why I Picked Weebly: Weebly offers a drag-and-drop editor, allowing users to build and customize their online store or website without coding skills. It can create a professional-looking website that showcases a nonprofit's mission, campaigns, and products while integrating donation buttons, volunteer sign-ups, and event pages.
Weebly has a range of pre-built templates, supports various payment gateways, and includes features like email marketing, SEO tools, and social media integration.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a drag-and-drop website builder, customizable templates, integrated ecommerce tools, mobile-responsive designs, built-in SEO features, and site analytics. It also includes blogging tools, multimedia support, page password protection, and third-party app integration.
Integrations include Square, Ecwid, and InventorySource.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mobile-ready donation forms
- Simple inventory tracking
- No coding skills needed
Cons:
- No automated donation receipt emails
- No built-in donor management
ShopBase offers user-friendly tools for building a storefront and supports print-on-demand and dropshipping, enabling nonprofits to manage merchandise without upfront inventory investment.
Why I Picked ShopBase: ShopBase is a good choice for nonprofits with limited resources as it supports dropshipping and print-on-demand services. This allows organizations to sell custom merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, and posters without investing or managing inventory.
The platform integrates with suppliers to automatically print and ship orders once they are placed. Additionally, it has low transaction fees and reporting and analytics tools for tracking sales and optimizing fundraising efforts.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a no-code website builder for easy customization, integrated upselling tools to enhance conversion rates, and stable payment solutions with customizable checkout pages. It also includes multi-channel selling and integration with TikTok and Facebook to boost brand visibility.
Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Trustpilot, and ShareASale.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Designed for high conversion rates
- Focus on product quality control
- Automated fulfillment process
Cons:
- Limited control over the supply chain
- Fewer third-party app integrations
Bonfire simplifies fundraising through merchandise sales, allowing nonprofit organizations to design t-shirts and hoodies without upfront costs. It handles printing, shipping, and customer support, helping organizations focus on their mission.
Why I Picked Bonfire: Bonfire operates on a print-on-demand model where production only happens when an order is placed, eliminating the financial risk of unsold inventory. Its standout feature is its end-to-end service, which handles production, payment processing, and fulfillment.
The platform also offers customizable campaign pages and analytics for tracking sales, understanding customer demographics, optimizing future campaigns, and accepting donations directly through the campaign page.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a user-friendly interface for creating and managing online stores, no upfront costs for product creation, and the ability to set custom prices for merchandise. It also includes tools for launching limited edition campaigns and ordering products at cost.
Integrations include Linktree, YouTube Merch Shelf, Classy, TeamRaiser, Neon Fundraise, and DonorDrive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom apparel design tools
- Supports global shipping
- No inventory risk
Cons:
- No immediate payout
- Limited product range
Zeffy is a fee-free fundraising and online selling platform that covers all transaction fees. It allows nonprofits to keep 100% of their donations, ticket sales, and store revenue.
Why I Picked Zeffy: Zeffy operates on a voluntary contribution model where donors can optionally cover the platform’s operating costs, allowing nonprofits to keep more money in their pockets. It is fully customizable for nonprofits to align branding, campaigns, and communications across their fundraising efforts.
It also includes reporting tools for performance tracking, campaign monitoring, and insights into donor behavior. Additionally, Zeffy provides nonprofit-specific features like tax receipt generation and donor management.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable online stores and fundraising solutions, such as ticket sales and donation forms. The platform also includes automated sales management, multiple payment methods, and a user-friendly interface.
Integrations include Zapier and Quickbooks, Salesforce, Google Sheets, SQL, and Airtable (through Zapier).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated tax receipts
- International donation capabilities
- Comprehensive feature set
Cons:
- Less brand recognition
- Less flexibility for complex campaigns
Givecloud focuses on engaging donor experiences, offering tools to create customized, branded donation pages, sell merchandise, and manage campaigns. It prioritizes engagement and builds long-term relationships with its supporters.
Why I Picked Givecloud: Givecloud offers fully customizable donation pages and fundraising stores, allowing nonprofits to tailor the pages to their branding, logos, colors, and specific campaign messages. It provides real-time donation updates, keeping donors informed and engaged as they contribute to campaigns.
It also offers personalized thank-you messages, customizable emails and SMS communications, and donor dashboards displaying the impact of contributions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable donation and fundraising pages, real-time donation updates, integrated merchandise sales, and personalized donor communications via email and SMS. The system also includes donor dashboards to track contributions and donor behavior analytics.
Integrations include Salesforce, Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal, Google Analytics, QuickBooks, Zapier, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multichannel communication
- Personalized donor dashboards
- Real-time impact updates
Cons:
- Limited international features
- Learning curve for full customization
Ecwid offers fully customizable online stores that can be integrated into existing websites or hosted on its platform. It includes tools for managing inventory, shipping, and tax and donation buttons for direct contributions.
Why I Picked Ecwid: Ecwid has a free setup option, allowing organizations to launch a professional online store without upfront costs. It also has integration capabilities, allowing users to add Ecwid stores to multiple platforms like WordPress and Facebook. The platform supports various payment gateways and enables nonprofits to add donation buttons to product pages. Additionally, it handles backend tasks like inventory management, tax calculations, and shipping.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated marketing tools, professional image enhancement, and streamlined store management. The platform also handles shipping, tax calculations, and payment processing.
Integrations include Square POS, Clover POS, Lightspeed Retail POS, Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, QuickBooks, and FreshBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Tax calculation and compliance tools
- Inventory management for product fundraising
- Multi-platform integration
Cons:
- No support for membership or subscription-based fundraising
- No built-in CRM
Other Best Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits
Below is a list of additional best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits that we evaluated but didn’t reach the top list. They are still worth checking out!
- WildApricot
Best for membership and sales management
- Square Online
Best for POS integration
- Shopify
Best for social media sales
- GoDaddy
Best for a mobile-friendly experience
- BigCommerce
Best for frictionless checkouts
- Wix
Best for customizable templates
- Classy
Best for fundraising campaigns
- Squarespace
Best for design flexibility
- Volusion
Best for inventory management
- WooCommerce
Best for WordPress integration
- Shift4Shop
Best for integrated payment solutions
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Best Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits Selection Criteria
The criteria for choosing an ecommerce platform for a nonprofit should address buyer needs and common pain points, ensuring the tool effectively serves its intended purpose. As an expert who has personally tried and researched this type of software, here are the requirements I use when evaluating these tools.
Core Functionality (25% of total score):
- Accept and manage online donations from supporters
- Sell and track tickets for fundraising events and gatherings
- Organize and manage donor memberships with recurring payments and exclusive benefits
- Streamline volunteer recruitment, scheduling, and communication for nonprofit activities
- Generate detailed reports and analyze data to track donations, sales, and overall performance
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score):
- Integrations with CRM platforms for donor tracking and relationship management
- Customizable donation forms to match their branding and fundraising needs
- Enables peer-to-peer fundraising for raising funds on behalf of others
- Optimized for mobile devices, smartphones and tablets
- Social media platform linking for sharing and direct fundraising through social channels
Usability (10% of total score):
- Intuitive navigation for easy access to all platform features
- Clean and modern interface design for a user-friendly experience
- Drag-and-drop functionality for building pages without coding
- Customizable dashboards for personalizing workspaces and highlighting key metrics
- Role-based access controls to manage permissions based on user roles and responsibilities
Onboarding (10% of total score):
- Training videos for users to learn at their own pace
- Interactive product tours to guide users through key features step-by-step
- Chatbots for instant support for troubleshooting and common questions
- Webinars for in-depth training on advanced features and strategies
- Pre-built templates to set up an online store without technical expertise
Customer Support (10% of total score):
- Offers round-the-clock customer support for nonprofit users
- Availability of multi-support channels (email, phone, live chat) for assistance
- Dedicated account managers for higher-tier plans
- Access to a com knowledge base with guides and tutorials for troubleshooting
- Delivers prompt responses to customer inquiries
Value for Price (10% of total score):
- Provides transparent and upfront pricing with all fees disclosed
- Flexible subscription plans for nonprofits to choose from based on needs
- Comparison of each plan with the features offered
Customer Reviews (10% of total score):
- Users expressing high satisfaction with the platform’s functionality and ease of use
- Good reviews on the platform’s interface and simple setup process
- Customer feedback on responsive and helpful support
- Positive reviews on the platform’s effectiveness
- Testimonials on the platform’s value for money and extensive features
Trends For The Best Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits
Nonprofits need efficient ecommerce platforms to maximize their impact. As technology advances, staying informed about the latest developments is essential. Here are some key trends to watch closely that could impact your organization.
- AI-Driven Personalization: AI-driven personalization tailors the shopping experience to individual donors. This increases engagement and conversion, allowing nonprofits to connect more with supporters.
- Mobile-First Design: Mobile-first design ensures that ecommerce platforms are optimized for smartphones. With more users accessing sites via mobile, this trend is essential as it enhances accessibility and user experience.
- Integrated Fundraising Tools: Integrated fundraising tools combine ecommerce with donation capabilities. This simplifies the process for donors and helps nonprofits manage their campaigns more effectively.
- Subscription-Based Donations: Subscription-based donations allow supporters to give regularly. This trend provides a steady revenue stream and fosters long-term relationships with donors.
- Blockchain for Transparency: Blockchain technology offers transparency in transactions. This builds trust with donors and demonstrates accountability.
These trends are shaping the future of ecommerce platforms for nonprofits. As technology advances, these tools are becoming more sophisticated. Organizations that leverage these changing trends are likely to gain a competitive edge.
What Are Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits?
Ecommerce platforms for nonprofits are specialized tools designed to help organizations create and manage online stores to sell merchandise, collect donations, and engage with supporters. These platforms help nonprofits diversify their revenue streams, increase brand visibility, and foster community engagement. Key components of these platforms include user-friendly interfaces, secure payment processing, mobile responsiveness, and scalability..
Typical users of these platforms include nonprofit organizations of various sizes and missions, such as charities, educational institutions, and advocacy groups. They need these platforms to efficiently manage online sales, handle donations, and integrate with other nonprofit tools like membership management and event registration.
Features Of The Best Ecommerce Platforms For Nonprofits
When selecting an ecommerce solution for your nonprofit, it's important to recognize the key features that will allow you to manage your nonprofit more efficiently. Here are the essential features to look for.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform should be easy for administrators and customers to navigate, ensuring that even those with limited technical expertise can manage the online store efficiently.
- Payment Processing: Find secure and diverse payment options to accommodate various donor preferences. This is important for ensuring that supporters can easily make donations or purchases.
- Integration Capabilities: Ensure the platform can integrate with existing tools like CRM systems and email marketing services. This helps maintain a flow of data and enhances overall operational efficiency.
- Inventory Management: The ability to track and manage inventory effectively is essential for selling merchandise, keeping stock levels in check, and fulfilling orders promptly.
- Legal Compliance: The platform should help nonprofits adhere to tax requirements and PCI-DSS compliance regulations. This is important for avoiding legal issues and ensuring secure transactions.
- Support and Resources: Access to customer support and educational resources can help manage the ecommerce store. This ensures that any issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently.
- Customization Options: The ability to customize the online store to reflect the nonprofit's branding is essential for maintaining identity and creating a cohesive and professional online presence.
- Mobile Responsiveness: A mobile-friendly platform is essential for accessibility on various devices. This ensures supporters can access the online store from their smartphones or tablets.
- SEO Optimization: Built-in SEO tools can improve visibility in search results, helping nonprofits attract more supporters and drive traffic to the online store.
- Scalability: The platform should be able to handle increased traffic and transactions as the organization grows, ensuring that the online store can expand without compromising performance.
By focusing on these key features, nonprofits can select a platform that aligns with their operational goals and enhances their fundraising capabilities.
Benefits Of The Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits
Choosing the right ecommerce solution can significantly enhance the operations and outreach of nonprofit organizations. Below are five primary benefits of using ecommerce platforms for nonprofits.
- Increased Revenue: Nonprofits can generate additional funds by selling merchandise, enhancing their financial sustainability. This extra income stream helps maintain economic stability and supports various projects and initiatives.
- User-Friendly Setup: Many platforms offer easy-to-use tools for creating and managing online stores, making them accessible for organizations without technical expertise. This allows nonprofits to quickly establish and maintain an online presence without extensive technical knowledge.
- Diverse Payment Options: These platforms typically support various payment methods, facilitating donations and purchases from a wider audience. By offering multiple payment options, nonprofits can cater to the preferences of their supporters, making it easier for them to contribute.
- Inventory Management: Nonprofits can efficiently track inventory and sales data, helping them manage their merchandise effectively. This ensures nonprofits can keep track of their stock levels, avoid overstocking or stockouts, and make informed decisions about their inventory.
- Legal Compliance Support: Ecommerce platforms guide legal considerations, ensuring nonprofits adhere to regulations while selling goods. This support helps nonprofits navigate the complexities of legal requirements, such as tax compliance and data protection, ensuring they operate within the law.
These platforms offer a range of features that simplify setting up and managing an online store, allowing nonprofits to focus more effectively on their mission.
Costs & Pricing Of The Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits
This section estimates average plans and costs for the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits. The data is based on various sources and aims to give a clear picture of what nonprofits can expect to pay.
Plan Comparison Table for the Best Ecommerce Platforms for Nonprofits
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic website builder, limited product listings, basic support |
| Personal Plan | $19/month | Custom domain, more product listings, basic analytics, email support |
| Business Plan | $29/month | Advanced analytics, marketing tools, secure payment processing, 24/7 support |
| Enterprise Plan | $100/month | Unlimited product listings, advanced customization, dedicated support, scalability |
FAQs About The Best Ecommerce Platform For Nonprofits
How can the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits increase donations?
Nonprofits can use ecommerce platforms to create online stores that sell merchandise, accept donations, and host fundraising events. By integrating donation buttons and setting up recurring donation options, nonprofits can make it easier for supporters to contribute. Additionally, offering exclusive merchandise or experiences can incentivize donations and increase engagement.
What are the key considerations when choosing the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits?
When selecting an ecommerce platform, nonprofits should consider factors such as ease of use, cost, scalability, and integration capabilities with existing systems like CRM and email marketing tools. They should also evaluate the platform’s ability to handle donations, manage inventory, and provide solid reporting features to track fundraising efforts.
Can the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits integrate with management software?
Yes, many ecommerce platforms offer integrations with popular nonprofit management software, such as donor management systems and CRM tools. These integrations help simplify operations by syncing donor information, automating communication, and providing reporting on fundraising activities.
What are the best practices for setting up the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits?
Best practices include creating a user-friendly website with clear navigation, high-quality images, and detailed product descriptions. Optimizing the checkout process to minimize cart abandonment and ensuring that the site is mobile-friendly is also important. Additionally, nonprofits should regularly update their inventory and promote their online store through various marketing channels.
How can analytics help the best ecommerce platforms for nonprofits improve their fundraising efforts?
E-commerce analytics can provide valuable insights into donor behavior, sales trends, and campaign performance. Nonprofits can use this data to identify successful strategies, optimize marketing efforts, and make informed decisions about inventory and pricing. Regularly reviewing analytics can help nonprofits better understand their audience and tailor their approach to maximize donations.
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