This article explains why Double the Donation uses a two-step, smart autocomplete search for employer lookups—and how it improves donor experience and match revenue.
The Two Possible Designs (and Why We Chose One)
Option 1: Three-Step, “Show All Variants”
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Donor types a company name → 2) Tool returns a long list of parents, brands, subsidiaries, and spelling variants → 3) Donor picks one to view details.
Issue: Requires listing every possible variation; donors often hit “No Results Found” for slight differences and face overwhelming result lists.
Option 2: Two-Step, Smart Autocomplete
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As the donor types, autocomplete searches across parents, subsidiaries, brands, and spelling variations.
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The donor selects one clean entry that leads to the correct employer page.
Why we use it: It’s more accurate, faster, and easier for supporters. Double the Donation switched from Option 1 to Option 2 after testing.
What Donors Experience (Example)
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A donor begins typing “H…O…M…E… D…E…” for “Home Depot Corporate.”
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With smart autocomplete, they’re guided to “The Home Depot”—the authoritative entry—rather than seeing “No Results Found” or a cluttered list of near-duplicates.
Why Autocomplete Increases Matches
Problem with Variant Lists: Flooding results with 5–100 near-identical entries confuses donors and increases drop-off.
Benefit of Autocomplete: One definitive selection gets donors to current matching gift instructions quickly, maximizing completed requests and revenue. After extensive testing, we moved to autocomplete to maximize nonprofit outcomes.