You've probably seen many sites on which webmasters try to increase their incomes by adding PayPal Donation buttons to their sidebar.
This is particularly true of programmers who give their software away for free – and ask only that you donate so that they may continue to improve their programs or create new ones.
There's no problem with asking for money.
Where there IS a problem however, is in using the word “Donate”.
Sometime back, I was talking to a fellow affiliate marketer who first had his PayPal account frozen, and then ultimately lost all the revenue therein, simply due to the fact that he had a PayPal Donation button on his site.
Why?
Because “donations” are reserved for recognized charities.
My friend's business wasn't a charity and Paypal took serious issue with the fact that he was respresenting himself as such by using the word ‘Donate'.
That's not to say that you can't accept PayPal payments from your blog readers.
What you can use is a text link or button graphic that reads ‘Buy me a beer‘, ‘Buy me a coffee‘, “Support our Blog” or anything else that comes to your mind — just don't use the word ‘donate'.
So, tell me, are you going to be scrambling to get rid of your Donate buttons now?
Did you find this post informative and useful? If so, please share it with others! If you have a comment, question or suggestion, please leave a comment below!
Cheers,
Rosalind,
I don’t think that having a DONATE button on your blog site without you are a charity site or a foundation
and I have a question can donate with Paypal
I run an internet radio station ( 7 years now ) – is a donate button worthy, or should I do a text link stating: “Support our station”
Best regards,
Johnnie Walker
Hi Johnnie,
I like ‘support our station’ or ‘buy us a coffee’ or anything that is more original than ‘donate’.
Best of success!
Cheers,
Ros
After doing some research, I have determined that there is still no correct answer to the “Donate” Button question. I have been using PayPal for quite awhile, however, I transfer the money out of the account as soon as possible. I have read too many things about how “pissy” PayPal can be, and I don’t want my money being frozen and then stolen by PayPal.
Thanks for the heads up on this one. I avoided a potentially costly mistake.
While I understand what you’re saying about the language, I’m still unclear as to how to do this and I can see from the comments that others are as well. You may want to add to this post and explain how to do the correct way (maybe add picts or do a video).
Thanks for the suggestion Debbie, I’ll see what I can do.
Ok, I am still unclear about this one. I want to set up a button for “tips”. If I create a custom button that says “Tips” what button TYPE should be used? I need to create a button that allows the sender to enter any amount they choose and not a preset amount. As far as I can tell, only the “Donate” type will allow this. Am I over looking something?
Thanks!
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Create an email payment link rather than a button. Then create a graphic image with the word ‘Tips’ and link that image to the payment link.
Cheers,
Ros
‘
Hey, Ros…
How do I create “Buy me a beer/coffee?” or “Treat me to a beer/coffee?”
button to solicit donations to my free web site? Can’t find the buttons!!!
Where do I go???
Gordaon
Gordon,
Login to your Paypal account and go to ‘Tools’. On the resulting page you’ll see a tab for Paypal buttons which opens a new page. On the right side of that new page is a link ‘create a new button’. Choose a button type. Note that you cannot change the basic buttons, but you can add text that goes alongside the button.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Ros
Don’t you find it a bit embarassing or awkward to add this PaypaL button?:P
Hi Ros,
I haven’t been able to find any other kind of information on this anywhere, so I asked Paypal.
They say that you can only receive donations if you are a non-profit organization.
It would be great to hear your thoughts on this, thanks.
Hi Sebastian,
Thanks kindly for your comment and the link to more information about PayPal Donations. I’ve added it to the text of the article.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros,
Need your help regarding Paypal button creation.
The only options available to create new button are for: ‘Shopping Cart’, ‘Buy Now’ ‘Gift Vouchers’ and ‘Subscriptions’. I cant see the ‘Donate’ button.
Am i missing something in this?
Please guide.
Hi Niraj,
You’ll find a guide to creating Paypal Donate buttons here.
Cheers,
Ros
Sorry if I’m being ignorant but how do you change the text in your button? thanks!
Hi Jeff,
Paypal only offers a certain number of button options and you can’t change the text in any of them.
Cheers,
Ros