Why Nonprofits Need a Great Website
Nonprofits run on people. They rely on volunteers, donations, and people to use their services. It’s demanding, rewarding, and important work.
Unfortunately, many nonprofits settle for DIY sites that fail to showcase their mission, services, and people they can help. To have greater impact, nonprofits need a great website that incorporates great design and clear copywriting. And, it can be done on a budget.
We would likely all agree that nonprofits need a great website, but scouring the internet returns few good examples of well done websites.
The most common problems fall into two categories: visual problems and messaging problems.
Visual problems include:
Fuzzy, wrongly sized, or random headshots
Dated or “cheesy” stock images
Spacing issues with text & images
Not mobile responsive (design doesn’t work on a phone or iPad)
Color palette and font choices that lack appeal
Too many links or places for the eyes to wander
Messaging problems include:
Lack of clarity about what the organization does
Too much information
Too little information
Too many different calls to action (i.e. “volunteer,” “donate,” “learn about us”, etc.)
Grammatical errors and typos
Nonprofits need a great website, but too many fall short. DIY-ing seems like a good idea when resources are tight. But, designing a website takes time, knowledge, and a skill set most don’t have.
What would happen if nonprofits had better websites? Can you imagine the impact?
Here are 3 reasons nonprofits need a great website & the impact it can have on their organization.
Resources would be more plentiful. With better visibility and message clarity, more people would volunteer, give, and use your services. While the financial output on the front-end might be challenging, the return on the back end will pay off when you clearly define what you do, how you help, and how others can join your mission. This is what human-centered design can do on your website.
A bad website drives people away. No website is sometimes better than having a bad one. People make a decision to stay or leave your site in about 8 seconds. They have a “gut reaction” to your site in about .05 seconds (gulp…). A hard to read layout, distracting color scheme, poor photos, and other visual imagery will force people off your site quickly. Your mission shouldn’t suffer because of your website.
A great website IS your online recruiter. You can’t be everywhere at once. It’s impossible to meet with donors, apply for grants, and recruit volunteers all at once. When done well, your website can be your voice. You can put your website to work spreading your message, recruiting people to your cause, and rallying your donors when they know exactly what you do, why you do it, and how they can help. It’s like being in multiple places at once!
We at StoryMatters Creative believe every nonprofit needs a great website. Your work is too important to go unnoticed.
We love to help nonprofits build a great site on a budget.
We make it affordable and make your investment worthwhile. We think you deserve it. It’s our way of saying thanks for all you do to do more good in the world.
If you’re ready to learn more click on the button below and let’s start the conversation!
