Over 90 percent of nonprofit organizations either have a website or are in the process of creating a website. Unfortunately, less than 40% of nonprofit organizations surveyed indicated that their website is an effective tool for promoting their mission. Clearly, nonprofit organizations have a lot of work to do to ensure that they design a website that optimizes their web presence. Below are 10 tips to remember when designing your organization’s siteour organization’s websit.
1) Clearly state the goals of your organization on your website. Vague goals do not resonate well with potential donors. Whether your goal is to raise 100K in 100 days or to attract 100 volunteers for an event on New Year’s Eve, you owe it to donors to make your goals and mission clear. State them prominently on your website’s home page for visitors to see.
2) Make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. In 2015, Google executives confirmed that more searches are conducted with mobile devices than desktop computers. For this reason alone, nonprofit organizations should ensure that their websites are compatible with tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices.
3) Include contact information and instructions to speak with a live representative. Some potential donors are understandably skeptical about the legitimacy of organizations soliciting money. One of the best ways to eliminate skepticism is to clearly list your organization’s complete address and contact telephone number in case donors wish to confirm that your group is an official nonprofit organization.
4) Ensure that your website’s pages load quickly. Even if your website only consists of a few pages, you should make sure that your site is easy to navigate and that all pages load quickly. Donors are often very busy people and you run the risk of losing them if they cannot even browse through your website with ease.
5) Include photos and videos of your staff and events. Feature the names and photos of your staff and key volunteers. Photos of your organization in action are evidence of your organization’s legitimacy. They also inspire prospective donors to contribute their money and time to your cause.
6) Feature a few of your most notable success stories. Your organization’s ability to succeed in helping people will motivate potential donors to contribute money or time to your cause. Include photos and videos of your group in action to lend further credibility to your organization.
7) Make it easy for donors to contribute money online. People who wish to contribute to your organization should be able to donate money through your website quickly and easily. Be sure to let donors know how you will keep their information secure and confidential.
8) Create a blog and make sure blog articles are regularly updated. Your website should have a blog that provides helpful information related to your mission and activities. Strive to update your blog on a regular basis to demonstrate your organization’s continued commitment to achieving your goals.
9) Outline upcoming volunteer opportunities. Your website should include a calendar of upcoming events and fundraising activities. Upcoming events should be clearly promoted on your home page and also within a dedicated page on your website.
10) Keep your website simple. Resist the urge to include an excessive amount of content or pages. A simple, 5-page design is often effective because it facilitates navigation and enables site visitors to more easily find out how to donate money or time.
In addition to the tips above, you should make a point to review your organization’s website and content on a regular basis. Make sure your event calendar, staff photos, and contact details are updated. Finally, inspire your donors by regularly posting progress on your goals. Be sure to let them know how their time and money have contributed to your organization’s success.
