What is a digital strategy?

To help you propel your mission forward with digital technology, we have created the Charity Digital Strategy Accelerator: an in-depth and interactive course that’s free for charity professionals. It leads you to greatness with all the guidance and practical tools you need to create a digital strategy that is impactful, realistic, and forward-thinking. The information in this article is a preview of the guidance included in the CDSA.

 

To begin the Accelerator, click on the link below and enter the code: CDSA.

 

Start the CDSA

 

A digital strategy helps charities use tech to improve operations. A good digital strategy focusses on the tech you need to streamline processes, boost your fundraising, optimise your services, and perform the myriad administrative tasks that help you to achieve your mission.

 

Digital strategies specify the direction your charity wants to take, complementing your overall vision for the future, and show you how your charity can progress in that direction.

 

In this article, we’ll explore the general benefits of a digital strategy, how strategies can boost impact and improve efficiencies, and what exactly a great digital strategy will look like.

 

 

What are the benefits of a digital strategy? 

 

A digital strategy is essential for securing the long-term success of charities. The strategy provides so many benefits: some obvious, others that might seem strange.

 

In simple terms, digital strategies can transform your approach to fundraising, service delivery, volunteering, leadership, and so much more. They are absolutely vital. Here’s why.

 

 

A digital strategy contributes to your mission 

 

An effective digital strategy helps charities move in the right direction.

 

Rather than making decisions based on opinions or assumptions, digital strategies can help you make informed decisions based on research and data. Digital is part of the world we work in. Using digital strategically means working smarter to achieve your mission. 

 

 

A digital strategy supports teamwork 

 

A digital strategy assigns roles and responsibilities, helping each team member feel part of the project. Employees will know what is expected of them, and by when, and that provides greater accountability. 

 

Transparency and feeling more invested in digital projects support morale, creativity, productivity, and staff retention. It prevents bottlenecking and inflexibility. 

 

 

A digital strategy helps you work with intention 

 

A digital strategy will help you work with intention. It can help you resolve potential problems before they happen, foresee the tools and skills that will be needed ahead of time, understand your role in the wider world, and be empowered to take the actions best suited to your charity. 

 

Intentionality allows you to prioritise the things that matter and ignore things that do not. Being intentional helps avoid harm and risks, save time and money, and become bolder in what you do.

 

 

What should a digital strategy look like?

 

Digital strategies differ drastically depending on organisations. There is no one-size-fits-all. But each should possess some core qualities, all of which we explore in more detail below.

 

 

An effective digital strategy is unique

 

An effective digital strategy is different to all others because it is done your way. For example, depending on your charity, the digital strategy could be a document, a diagram, a photo, or just a smaller part of a wider strategy. The form does not matter, as long as it serves its purpose.

 

Your digital strategy could be developed through group work or could take a structured approach. Finding out the best approach involves getting creative and embracing trial and error. 

 

 

A good digital strategy connects present with the future 

 

A digital strategy helps you decide which actions to take with digital to contribute to your charity’s future goals. The actions you take could include, for example: 

• Themes or principles to guide how you use technology 
• The digital tools that might help 
• The digital skills that could contribute 
• A roadmap of how to get there 

Your strategy should look at your current position, with an eye on what you’d like to achieve in the future. It should be forward-looking, forward-thinking, always keeping your mission at its heart.

 

 

A great digital strategy is aware and well-informed 

 

Tech now impacts many aspects of our world and society.

 

That means different aspects of the digital world can help or hinder the work of charities in many different ways. Maintaining an understanding of the digital world and users outside of your team can inform how to navigate it to achieve the best results for your charity. 

 

That means conducting research and gaining data on pertinent trends so that you are informed by facts rather than assumptions. Research is essential when creating a digital strategy.

 

 

A robust digital strategy shows responsibility

 

A digital strategy is where you look at the bigger picture to understand the real-world impacts of how you use digital technology. These are often not immediately clear, but include: 

• Understanding user needs 
• Using data responsibly 
• Responding to AI responsibly 
• Digital inclusion 
• Digital and the climate 

Understanding direct and indirect research is at the heart of charity work. All charities need to think about how tech can mitigate risks, reduce harm, and boost impact.

 

 

An agile digital strategy adapts and evolves 

 

Strategies should respond to the needs of the people you work with. That means it is not a static document that you make one day and adhere to strictly at all times. An effective digital strategy is constantly under review, adapting to users’ needs and the ever-changing digital landscape. 

 

A digital strategy involves trying things out, learning from them, and deciding on where to go next. 

 

 

Do you want to create a digital strategy for free? Join our Charity Digital Strategy Accelerator, which teaches you how exactly to plan, write, and deliver on your digital strategy.

 

To begin the Accelerator, click on the link below and enter the code: CDSA.

 

Start the CDSA