It's no surprise that online fundraising is slowly but surely taking over the market-share of fundraising programs of yesteryear. Online fundraising is critical for several reasons:

1) Less middlemen: Products and services offered will be less expensive and more desirable by the prospective participant in the fundraising effort

2) Overall efficiency: Things like logistics, for example, are streamlined through electronic communication. No more driving to aunt Sally's house to ask her to buy cookies

3) Up to the minute tracking: Orders are often registered within minutes, allowing easy assessment of progress and goals without guesswork

4) Diversity of programs: There are literally hundreds of thousands more products online than any paper catalog could ever hope to offer. More diversity in products and programs means more customization to the tastes of prospects which means more sales

5) Scalability: One of the major hassles of offline fundraising is finding something that suits smaller groups. Online fundraising can even be suited to individuals, let alone small groups

When it comes to making a website to host information regarding your cause, it's important to tailor the rhetoric to the biggest potential donor-base. For example, if younger people are going to be the donor base, it's important not to sound like a geriatric businessman while calling for action. If parents are the principle donor-base, it's important to sound more dignified and established.

Here's an excellent site for info on signing up for one of many online fundraising programs