Is it a good idea to work across multiple platforms?


Matt Bell

Senior Editor & Partner

If you’re like most professionals in the fundraising industry, you are probably working across multiple platforms. You may have contacts on an Excel sheet, events in a CRM, and notes in a shared document. 

 

What are some of the disadvantages of this?

 

  1. Integrity of data
  2. Redundancy
  3. Multiple subscriptions
  4. Training

 

Integrity of data

Data integrity is the accuracy of your data. Take a contact profile as an example. If you’re working across multiple platforms, every time a phone number changes you’ll need to update it in each platform. As you add more places where the data is stored, the greater chance for you to forget to update the data in each one. 

 

Redundancy

Redundancy is unnecessary work, such as do the same work more than once. Unfortunately, when you have the same data in multiple places, you’ll have to update it more than once. 

 

Multiple subscriptions

Not only does time cost money, but so do software subscriptions. And some are very pricey. Adding more to your list adds up quickly, so finding a one platform that covers everything is worth paying for. 

 

Training

Most platforms have been developed with a novice user in mind, so the learning curve isn’t as steep as in the past, but they do take time to master. Training employees adds time. An intuitive platform reduces the time you need to master it. 

 

So what we’ve concluded is working across multiple platforms offers a greater chance for erroneous data, more work, and expense.

 

The solution? There are specialized platforms that cater to specific industries. DonorDesk is an example of a platform that has everything you need to run a fundraising operation without the need for other subscriptions. 

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Take charge of your next campaign.

DonorDesk is trusted by some of the top consultants in the industry. We’ve spent years creating the best way for campaigns to manage their contacts, events and data. Let us help you get started today!

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