We use cookies to make your experience better. Learn more about how and why.

Preferences Deny Accept

Beyond the Donation podcast cover art for Episode 16 with Austin Hattox of Pixel Lighthouse.

Ep. 16 | Are You Overlooking Your Website Impact?, an interview with Austin Hattox, Nonprofit Website Strategist, Pixel Lighthouse

Our Guest: Austin Hattox, Pixel Lighthouse founder

About Austin: Through his company, Austin helps nonprofits create maximum impact with their website. Handling design, messaging, and programming, they help nonprofits put their websites to use for community engagement and implement their impact strategy

[2:13] Challenges NPOs face in website messaging

[4:10] Process of determining best site strategy for a nonprofit

[5:58] Website Visibility vs. Social Presence Visibility

[7:15] Austin’s journey from for-profit to nonprofit work

[8:25] Retargeting practice

[9:05] Priorities of NPO website work

[10:25] AI use for nonprofit ideation (& emojis!)

[11:35] Tips or best practices for organization story communication

[14:03] For-profit and nonprofit differences

[16:10] Pixel Lighthouse standard working partnerships

[17:05] Value for nonprofits to deploy an engaging website

[18:20] Package or Custom approach to website development

[20:00] Tips for website improvement you can implement today

More About Austin:

LinkedIn Pixel Lighthouse Mistakes Guide

To Connect with Beyond the Donation Podcast:

BTD Podcast DonorDock LinkedIn Matt LinkedIn

What is the five-second test for a nonprofit website?

The five-second test asks: when someone lands on your homepage, can they understand who you are, what you do, and why they should care within five seconds — without scrolling? Check the headline (plain language, not just org name), who you serve, at least one piece of proof (number, story, or quote), one clear call to action, and visuals that show real work. If a friend forwarded your homepage, would the recipient instantly understand?

Last updated

April 25, 2026

What should be on a nonprofit's About page?

A strong nonprofit About page opens with the problem you solve, names the donor as the hero who makes solutions possible, then shows the team and track record that prove you can execute. Mission statements, founding dates, and staff bios come after the donor-centered narrative — not before. Most nonprofits get this order backwards.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

Why are most nonprofit About pages ineffective?

They lead with "we" — our history, our founders, our accomplishments — instead of "you," the donor who fuels the work. Donor research consistently shows people give to feel part of something bigger than themselves. About pages that center the donor as the hero outperform "about us" pages on time-on-page, donation-form click-through, and conversion.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

What is the average donation page conversion rate?

According to M+R Benchmarks, the average nonprofit donation page conversion rate is around 19% — meaning out of 100 visitors, only 19 complete a gift. That number is low because most pages have friction: too many form fields, slow mobile load times, unclear calls-to-action, and weak storytelling. Optimizing those four factors typically lifts conversion 3–10 percentage points and is the highest-ROI change a growing team can make.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

Author

Elisha Ford

Content Writer

Last updated:

April 29, 2026

Written by

Elisha Ford

Content Writer

Read similar articles

What is a Nonprofit CRM? The 2026 Guide for Growing and Mid-Sized Nonprofits

A buyer's primer on what a nonprofit CRM is, how it differs from sales CRMs and adjacent fundraising tools, and how to evaluate the right fit for a growing development team.

Your First 500 Donors: A Grassroots Fundraising Playbook for New Nonprofits

Most new nonprofits chase big grants and major donors. The smarter play? Build 500 grassroots donors who believe in your mission. Here's the step-by-step playbook to get there.

When Your Impact Can't Be Counted: Fundraising Around Intangible Outcomes

When your outcomes resist easy measurement, stop proving impact with numbers alone. Learn the contribution chain framework for turning transformational work into donor narratives that drive retention.

Start building meaningful donor relationships today.

Your fundraising in one place.

Schedule a Demo View Pricing

Donor Dock-Shapes1-06