What’s the Big Idea?

Our suggestions
Childcare Worldwide’s site would benefit from a number of relatively easy-to-do tweaks, starting with how the content of the site is structured. For example, the organization can list “Privacy Policy” as a text link on the bottom of pages instead of in the main navigation level of architecture. It also could simplify how donors and site visitors can support children by combining the information currently listed under the navigation options of “Help Children Survive” and “Help Children Succeed.” Having two similarly named items confuses users and likely distracts them from going where the organization wants to take them.

Childcare Worldwide also could clarify its program offerings on the main navigation. Right now, some programs are given top-level significance, while others are wrapped up together under the heading of “Other Programs.” We recommend either listing all the programs or putting them all under one heading: “Programs.” Programs make up the substance of Childcare Worldwide’s work, and getting that information should be as easy as possible.

The organization also should review its current donation-processing system and look into ways to make it more sophisticated and user-friendly. Currently, donors begin making their transactions on Childcare Worldwide’s site, but then move to a new system through VeriSign. While I commend the additional provision of security, the “secure site” loses the branding of childcareworldwide.org (with the exception of the logo) and only asks for the donor’s credit card information — without the option of repeating the gift amount. Some donors might abandon their giving at this point in the process if they feel disoriented or lost. If donors make it through this second step, they then are taken to a third page where they enter their credit card security code (better for step two) and get the reassurance of seeing their amount and gift allocation. A great starting place for groups that want a more robust, all-in-one program for online donations is a recent report by Idealware at www.idealware.org/donations/index.php.