A Non-Profit Website Design can be overwhelming. How do you create a site for an organization when you don’t have the time or money to devote to it? With hundreds of non-profit organizations in Massachusetts all fighting for your money and attention, you need a site that stands out from the crowd.

With a little planning, your site can become an effective tool for the cause you are working to support. If you follow these simple steps, your website will be up and running in no time. The improvements, both aesthetically and functionally, will be immeasurable!

Make sure you have a clear goal for your site.

Know your audience! Who are you trying to reach? What do they want to see on the page? How can you capture their attention, their donations, and ultimately, their votes?

Choose a simple domain name.

Make it memorable and keep it short. Something like goaccess.org will make your domain name simple to remember and simple to spell.

Avoid flashy, distracting graphics.

In the world of website design, everyone is vying for your attention. You need a site that is clear, concise, and effective. Overlaying flashy graphics on your site will only serve to distract the viewer from your message.

Make sure you have a text-only version of your site.

Those who are visually impaired or simply do not wish to access the site in that way will appreciate your efforts. This will also improve your site’s placement in search engines.

Be consistent with all branding.

This includes color schemes, logos, and even typography. Graphic designers will be able to pin down your company’s “style” with just a few different images.

Make sure your site is mobile-friendly!

More and more people are using their phones and other smaller devices to access the internet. If your site is not optimized for mobile, you won’t be getting any hits!

Make sure your contact information is clear and easy to find.

Include your address, email, phone number, and any other relevant contact information. Having all of this information in one place will allow your viewers to contact you with ease.

Remember that less is more!

You do not want to overcrowd your site with too much information, because chances are, people will simply click off your site. A good site should have a homepage, an about us page, and a contact page, relevant program pages, and possibly a blog. You should provide enough information on each of these pages to inform visitors, but not too much for the sole purpose of satisfying search engines.

Proofread Your Content

Consider budgeting for editing and proofreading.

The more time you spend on your site, the better! Before releasing your site to the public, make sure it is free of typos and grammatical errors. Readers will appreciate your attention to detail!

Create a social media presence for your site.

This will help build traffic to your site and increase the number of “likes” and “shares” that you get on your content. Social media is a great way to keep your organization at the forefront of people’s minds.

Include calls-to-action so visitors know how they can help your cause.

Link to petitions, volunteer opportunities, and any other way for them to contribute to your community. Adding CTA links and buttons can serve as a great marketing tool.

Make your site easy to navigate.

The best way for you to gain viewers is by having a website that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Make sure that the links on your site are clear and labeled.

Start blogging.

Don’t be shy about what you know! People want to learn more about the causes you are working to support and the things your organization is doing. Blogging is a great way to communicate with your audience. It also helps with search engine optimization and blog posts can easily be shared on social media platforms.

Keep it simple!

Keep the number of links on the front page to a minimum. Overloading the viewer with information will only serve to make them click away from your page in search of easier and more digestible information. Sometimes less is more.

Include powerful imagery.

Don’t use a picture of a sad child holding a puppy for your homepage. That is too generic and overused. Be creative with your photos. Invest in professional photography if you want truly eye-catching imagery.

By using the above tips, you will ensure that your website is more likely to be successful. If you need help building a professional, responsive website for your nonprofit, get in touch with us! You can also get a free online quote on our web design services here.