9 Features Every Nonprofit Website Should Have
Non-profit organizations rely on their websites to attract donors and volunteers, and to raise awareness about their cause. However, not all nonprofit websites are created equal. Here are nine things that every non-profit website should have in order to be effective:
1. A clear and compelling mission statement
A mission statement is an important tool for any organization, including non-profits, because it provides a clear and concise articulation of the organization’s purpose and goals. A mission statement serves as a guiding principle for the organization and can help to inform decision-making and ensure that the organization stays focused on its core objectives. It should be prominently displayed on the homepage and should provide visitors with a quick and easy way to understand the organization’s purpose.
2. An easy-to-use donation form
This is crucial for non-profits, as donations are often a key source of funding. The donation form should be simple and straightforward, so that visitors can make a contribution with just a few clicks.
Having a donation form on the website allows visitors to make a contribution at any time, without having to wait for a fundraising campaign or event. This means that supporters can make a donation when they are motivated to do so, which can help to increase the overall amount of funds that the organization receives.
In addition to providing a convenient way for supporters to make donations, a donation form can also help to build trust and credibility for the organization. By making it easy for visitors to make a contribution, the organization can demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability. This can help to build trust with supporters and can encourage them to make additional donations in the future.
3. A volunteer sign-up form
A volunteer form is an important feature of a non-profit organization’s website because it provides a simple and convenient way for individuals to sign up to volunteer with the organization. This is important for non-profits, as volunteers are often a crucial part of the organization’s workforce and can help to support its work in a variety of ways.
In addition to providing a convenient way for individuals to sign up to volunteer, a volunteer form can also help to build trust and credibility for the organization. By making it easy for people to get involved, the organization can demonstrate its commitment to engagement and community involvement. This can help to build trust with supporters and can encourage them to get involved in other ways, such as making donations or spreading the word about the organization’s work.
4. Information about the organization’s impact
Non-profit organizations should provide detailed information about the work they do and the impact they have on their website. This is important because it helps to communicate the organization’s purpose and goals to its supporters and stakeholders, and it can help to build trust and credibility for the organization.
There are a variety of different types of information that non-profits can include on their website in order to provide details about their work and impact. This can include statistics and data that demonstrate the organization’s effectiveness, such as the number of people served or the amount of money raised. This type of information can help to provide a clear and objective picture of the organization’s work, and it can help to demonstrate the impact of the organization’s efforts.
In addition to statistics and data, non-profits can also include stories and other forms of narrative evidence on their website. This can include personal accounts from individuals who have been impacted by the organization’s work, or stories about the organization’s efforts to make a difference in the world. These types of stories can help to bring the organization’s work to life and can make it more relatable and engaging for visitors to the website.
5. A newsletter sign-up form
A newsletter sign-up form is an important feature of a non-profit organization’s website because it provides a way for the organization to keep in touch with its supporters and stakeholders. This is important because it allows the organization to share updates and information about its work, and it can help to build and maintain relationships with supporters.
Having a newsletter sign-up form on the website allows visitors to quickly and easily sign up to receive regular updates from the organization. This can include newsletters, emails, or other forms of communication that provide information about the organization’s work, events, and other activities. By providing a newsletter sign-up form, non-profits can make it easy for supporters to stay informed about the organization’s work and to stay engaged with its mission.
6. A clear and consistent design
The design of a non-profit organization’s website is an important factor in creating a successful online presence. A professional and well-designed website can help to attract and engage supporters, and it can help to build trust and credibility for the organization.
One key aspect of a professional website design is the use of a consistent color scheme, font, and layout throughout the website. This means using the same colors, fonts, and layout elements on all pages of the website, in order to create a cohesive and visually appealing user experience. Consistency in design can help to create a sense of professionalism and can make the website feel more organized and cohesive.
In addition to using a consistent design, the website should also reflect the organization’s brand. This means incorporating the organization’s logo, imagery, and other visual elements that are associated with the organization. By using these elements throughout the website, non-profits can create a strong and recognizable brand presence, which can help to build recognition and awareness for the organization.
7. Social media integration
Non-profit organizations should make it easy for visitors to share information about the organization on social media platforms. This is important because social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness about the organization’s cause and for attracting supporters and volunteers. By making it easy for visitors to share information about the organization on social media, non-profits can increase their visibility and reach, and they can engage with a wider audience.
One way that non-profits can make it easy for visitors to share information on social media is by including social media icons on the website. These icons are typically located in a prominent location on the website, such as in the website’s header or footer, and they allow visitors to quickly and easily share links to the website on their social media profiles. By providing these icons, non-profits can make it easy for visitors to spread the word about the organization and its work.
8. Mobile compatibility
Many people today access the internet using smartphones and tablets, so it’s important for non-profit websites to be mobile-friendly. This means ensuring that the website is easy to navigate and read on small screens, and that it provides a seamless user experience for visitors who are accessing the website from a mobile device.
Making a website mobile-friendly involves a number of different design and technical considerations. One key aspect is the use of responsive design, which means that the website automatically adjusts its layout and formatting to fit the size and resolution of the visitor’s device. This ensures that the website looks and functions properly on a variety of different screen sizes and devices.
9. Regular website updates
Non-profit organizations should regularly update their website by publishing new content and ensuring that all of the information on the website is accurate and current. This is important because it helps to keep visitors engaged and interested in the organization’s work, and it can help to build trust and credibility for the organization.
One way that non-profits can keep their website up-to-date is by regularly publishing new content, such as blog posts, news articles, and other types of information. This can help to keep visitors engaged and interested in the organization’s work, and it can provide opportunities for the organization to share updates and information about its activities and impact. By regularly publishing new content, non-profits can keep their website fresh and interesting, and they can provide visitors with a reason to come back to the website on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Overall, the goal of a non-profit website should be to create a positive user experience that engages visitors and encourages them to support the organization’s mission. By prioritizing clear communication and easy access to information and actions, non-profit organizations can use their website to make a real difference in the world.
By making sure that their website has these nine essential elements, non-profit organizations can create an effective online presence that helps to raise awareness about their cause and attract the support they need to succeed. Contact Local Leap Marketing to learn more about our nonprofit web design solutions.