Websites cost your organization time and money. And, when things get busy, it’s an easy thing to put off to tackle another day. I notice pretty regularly that many smaller nonprofits have websites that list out-of-date upcoming events, program information and other things.
Many judge your organization by your website. Are you confident in the message you’re sending?
Don’t put it off. Your website is viewed as a reflection of your organization and how put together it is. You want potential donors, clients, grantmakers, community members and others to be able to view the latest and greatest of what’s going on with your nonprofit.
It’s important to do a quick spot check to make sure your website is still effective. Here are some things you can take a look at today.
Check out the top nine nonprofit websites according to Hubspot and compare yours with theirs.
Then set aside 20 minutes for the following:
- Is the navigation of the site clear for your visitors?
- Are your social media buttons easily accessible?
- Is your logo visible and at the top of your website?
- What is the most important thing you want your visitors to do (sign up for your newsletter, follow you, donate), and is that front and center? Are you encouraging your visitor to stay on your site with a call to action?
- Is your website easily viewed on a smart phone?
- Can your visitors easily fill out your forms from their iPad or phone?
- Is your “Contact Us” info easy to find and up to date?
- Are all your links working correctly?
- And, is it easy for a visitor to make a donation on your website?
Make a habit of spot-checking your website on both the computer and mobile devices. You’ll be ahead of the game and your website will show it.
But what if you’re in startup mode and building your nonprofit’s website for the first time?
Here are the basics – if nothing else – to ALWAYS have on your website:
- Updated contact information
- Mission and vision (your WHY)
- How a donor/volunteer can help
- A donate button
Start small. Start where you are and continuing growing. If you need to build a simple website because you cannot afford to hire it out, then do it. It is ALWAYS better to have an online presence with up-to-date information than nothing at all.
Good luck and let me know how it goes. And if you’ve got a great system in place for keeping your organization’s website up to date, I’d love to hear about it.