2 ways your charity can keep up with its digital skills

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67% of charities now see digital development as a prime concern for their organisation. And it’s no surprise it’s such a priority. In 2020, 87% of the people in the UK made online purchases. And there were 3.78 billion social media users worldwide. So now seems to be the best time to get online and start taking advantage of all the internet offers. As well as this, there are a great number of charities planning to invest in digital infrastructure, which is a fantastic sign.


But, according to The Charity Digital Skills Report, there are many barriers preventing charities from making the most out of digital. These include a lack of core digital skills and competency, a lack of confidence in the organisation, the company culture, and more. As keeping up to date with digital could be the key to maximising donations and generating income for your cause, how can you overcome these challenges?


Attend online learning events

 

The Charity Digital Skills Report shows that 48% of charities believe their staff lack core digital skills and competency, and 47% said their organisation lacks confidence with digital. Online learning events could help with both issues in a fun, accessible way.


Webinars exploded in popularity when the first lockdown came into effect, and with good reason. They offer the perfect opportunity to learn and expand your skills without the need to travel to a venue. There are many online events available – whether tailored specifically for those in the charity sector or with a broader audience – that can help your staff keep their skills up to scratch or develop new ones.


One example is eBay’s free six-month virtual training programme launched to help charities get on eBay and make extra money for their charity. Another is Charity Digital’s #BeMoreDigital Fundraising Day in October this year. The event is free and will focus on skill-building to help charities fundraise digitally.


Choosing the right EPoS

 

The downside is that training can be difficult. Especially if you have multiple volunteers coming and going. Instead, it could be a good idea to focus on instinctual tech, starting with your EPoS. Most volunteers and members of staff need to use the EPoS, so it only makes sense it’s as easy to use as possible.


The report shows that 30% of charities believe they need to sort out their infrastructure or processes, including data protection. A great EPoS can help by ensuring data protection laws are adhered to. Gift Aid forms, for example, can cause issues when stored in your shop. An EPoS with paperless sign up that submits Gift Aid forms directly to HMRC could help.


Compared to last year, the number of charities rating themselves as having excellent basic digital skills has almost doubled, which is fantastic news. As we shift to a digital-first society, charity shops can continue to raise funds for their causes in new spaces. Looking for an EPoS to keep your shop ahead of the curve?


Nisyst’s new and improved CHARiot Web has all the features your charity shop needs. You can seamlessly keep up with the digital curve while remaining easy to use and volunteer friendly. To find out more, reach out to us on 01204 706 000.