Online grant applications are becoming the norm, with paper submission either discouraged or eliminated. Online applications usually involve a form that prompts you to enter information one piece at a time. In some cases, you’re able to view all the questions before beginning so you know what’s around the corner, but some funders aren’t so accommodating.

On the face of it, online submission might sound like a great thing for the grant writer: you don’t have to worry about getting it in on time (just press the “submit” button), and there are no decisions to make about paper, stamps, or other bothersome details.

Presentation, in fact, ceases to be a factor because every application appears identically formatted. And that’s the reason I don’t like electronic submissions. They make it much more difficult to give your proposal personality that would make it stand out in the crowd.

And don’t be surprised if some online applications have more than a few bugs. One of the most common problems is that the application only works properly with Microsoft Internet Explorer and no other browser.

With all the cosmetics of the proposal removed, the grant writer’s talents become even more important. You must do everything with words alone.

If possible, download and save or print the application and all instructions so you can work through various drafts using the actual form. More than likely, you’ll have to work on each section separately in your word-processing program, pasting it into the form after all edits have been made. This gives you the advantage of spell-checking each section but makes it hard for anyone else to review what you’ve written in the context in which it will finally appear. Remember, too, that you’ll probably lose formatting such as boldface, underlining, and bullet points when you paste text into the online form.

As you proceed through the online application, save as you go to prevent losing your hard work by an interrupted Internet connection or glitch when going to the next page.

Online applications differ significantly depending on the sophistication of the programming. Some consist of forms identical to ones you would submit through regular mail. These are the easiest to complete because they’re most like traditional printed forms. For examples of basic online applications, check out The Meadows Foundation (mfi.org) or the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (wkkf.org).

Some online applications are now structured so you’re asked a series of questions that then determines the additional questions you’ll be asked and sections you’ll be asked to complete. These can be frustrating because they don’t allow you to see the entire form at one time. At other times, this process can break down into manageable steps what might seem overwhelming when presented all at once. If you’ve applied to the funder before, consult the offline paper form you used in the past. The online form is probably very similar.

The New York State Council on the Arts’ online application (introduced in 2003) uses the step-by-step procedure with the formerly fearsome budget form. Now, it asks you for each budget category one at a time, which feels less intimidating. The programming assembles all your figures into a completed form and even does the math for you. Of course, you must be prepared to answer each of the budget questions as they’re asked, which requires prior knowledge of what they want to know.

Before pressing the “submit” button with any online application, print out a copy of the completed form for proofing and for your files. If possible, save an electronic copy, too.

Even if you registered well ahead of schedule, don’t wait until the last minute to complete the online applications. The flurry of people completing last-minute applications can overload the funder’s server and prevent you from submitting your application.