The nonprofit I work for is looking to get a new website. Where do we start?

[bmf]

Building a Nonprofit Website: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Define Your Goals and Audience:

Identify Objectives:

– What do you want your website to achieve? (e.g., increase donations, raise awareness, recruit volunteers, provide resources)

– Prioritize these objectives.

• Target Audience:

– Who are you trying to reach? (e.g., donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, community members)

– What are their needs and expectations?

– Consider the average age, and tech savviness of your target audience.

• Content Strategy:

– What information will you provide?

– How will you present it? (e.g., text, images, videos)

– Plan a site map, and the general structure of your pages.

2. Choose a Platform and Hosting:

• Content Management System (CMS):

– Consider user-friendly options like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace.

– Evaluate features, ease of use, and scalability.

– Consider if your organization has someone who can maintain the website.

• Hosting:

– Select a reliable hosting provider with good uptime and security.

– Factor in bandwidth and storage needs.

– Research hosting companies that specialize in non profit organizations.

• Domain Name:

– Choose a domain name that is easy to remember and reflects your organization’s name.

– Secure your domain name and any relevant variations.

3. Design and Development:

• Responsive Design:

– Ensure your website looks good on all devices (desktops, tablets, smartphones).

• Visual Appeal:

– Use high-quality images and videos.

– Maintain a consistent brand identity.

– Consider hiring a graphic designer, or using stock photo sites.

• User Experience (UX):

– Make navigation intuitive and easy.

– Ensure fast loading times.

– Implement clear calls to action.

Accessibility:

– Adhere to accessibility guidelines (WCAG) to make your website accessible to everyone.

– Ensure proper use of alt text on images, and good color contrast.

4. Content Creation and Management:

• Compelling Storytelling:

– Share your organization’s mission and impact through engaging content.

– Use testimonials and success stories.

• Regular Updates:

– Keep your website content fresh and relevant.

– Add blog posts, news articles, and event updates.

• SEO Optimization:

– Use relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings.

– Optimize page titles and meta descriptions.

5. Testing and Launch:

• Thorough Testing:

– Test your website on different browsers and devices.

– Check for broken links and errors.

– Have multiple people test the site.

• Security:

– Install security plugins and SSL certificates.

– Implement regular backups.

• Launch and Promotion:

– Announce your new website to your audience.

– Promote it on social media and through email newsletters.

6. Ongoing Maintenance and Analysis:

• Website Analytics:

– Use Google Analytics to track website traffic and user behavior.

– Analyze data to identify areas for improvement.

• Regular Updates:

– Update plugins and themes.

– Address security vulnerabilities.

• Feedback:

– Ask for feedback from users and make necessary adjustments.

[jack]

Look, we don’t need bells and whistles. We need something functional, easy to update, and mobile-friendly. Start with defining our core needs: donations, event calendars, volunteer sign-ups. Get a few quotes from local web developers, and make sure they understand our budget. No fluff, just results.

[kruyu]

Okay, first things first, user experience is key. We need a platform that’s intuitive, visually appealing, and integrates seamlessly with social media. Think responsive design, strong SEO, and maybe even a content management system that lets us easily update blogs and videos. We should also consider accessibility guidelines. Let’s research some popular nonprofit website templates and see what’s trending.

[Adam Johnson]

Before we even think about design, we need to clarify our message. What are we trying to achieve with this website? Is it to raise awareness, solicit donations, or recruit volunteers? The content needs to tell our story in a compelling way. We need strong calls to action and easy ways for people to get involved. Let’s focus on clear, impactful messaging that resonates with our target audience.