Welcome to the Impact Strategy Hub blog! If you’re running a small organisation, your website is a key part of connecting with supporters and driving impact.
Designing a great website can seem daunting, but don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through it with friendly advice and practical tips, as experts in non-profit web design in the UK. Let’s dive into how you can create a powerful online presence for your non-profit.
Non-profit website design – where to start?
1. Focus on User Experience (UX) to Keep Visitors Engaged
Start by mapping out your user journey. Think about your visitors — Are they hoping to learn about your cause, donate, or sign up for newsletters? —then make those actions easy to find.
Tools: Google Analytics can help you understand how visitors interact with your site.
Timeline: Spend about 2 weeks on this phase. It’s important to get it right, so don’t rush! You want to make sure that your site is intuitive and user-friendly from the get-go.
2. Showcase Your Mission with Engaging Visuals
Use high-quality photos and videos that reflect the heart of your mission. Consider adding a dynamic image or video on your homepage that captures attention from the start.
Tools: Canva is fantastic for creating visuals and infographics, while Unsplash offers free, high-quality images. For videos, try using Adobe Spark.
Timeline: Spend 1-2 weeks to gather and create your visuals. Remember, the goal is to tell a compelling story. Take your time to choose the best images. Craft the right messages.
3. Incorporate Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Your CTAs should be clear and compelling. Instead of “Submit,” use phrases like “Join Our Movement” or “Help Us Make a Difference.” Position CTAs prominently on your homepage and throughout your content.
Tools: Use tools like Hotjar to test different CTA designs and placements to see what works best. A/B testing can also help refine your approach.
Timeline: Implement and test CTAs over 1 week. Regularly review their performance and adjust as needed to keep them effective.
4. Build in Accessibility for Everyone
Make your site accessible by including features like alternative text for images, keyboard navigation, and clear, readable fonts. This ensures that everyone can engage with your content.
Tools: Check your website’s accessibility with tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse. These tools can identify areas that need improvement and offer suggestions for making your site more inclusive.
Timeline: Dedicate 1 week to accessibility adjustments. Testing and refining accessibility should be an ongoing process to keep up with best practices.
5. Optimise for Search Engines (SEO)
Research and use keywords relevant to your cause throughout your site. Create high-quality content that addresses your audience’s interests and concerns. You’ll need to think about this throughout your website design for your non-profit organization.
Tools: Google Keyword Planner can help you find the right keywords. Yoast SEO is a great plugin for managing on-page SEO. Google Search Console provides insights into your site’s performance.
Timeline: Spend about 2 weeks on initial SEO setup. Keep monitoring and updating your SEO strategy as you add new content to your site.
6. Integrate Social Media for Wider Website Reach
Add social media buttons to your website and encourage sharing of your content. Consider embedding live social media feeds to keep your site dynamic and engaging.
Tools: Use plugins for easy social sharing options. For embedding social feeds, tools can help aggregate your social media content.
Timeline: Setting up social media integrations should take around 1 week. Regularly review and update your social media strategy as part of your ongoing digital marketing efforts.
7. Track and Analyse Your Non-Profit Site’s Performance
Use analytics to track visitor behaviour and site performance. Look at metrics like page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates to understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
Tools: Google Analytics is priceless for tracking and analysing your website data. Tools like SEMrush (our favourite!) can also offer insights into how well your site is performing in search engines.
Timeline: You can do the initial setup and analysis in 1 week. Ongoing monitoring should be a regular part of your site management to always optimise performance.
8. Simplify Your Donation Process
Make your donation process as simple and transparent as possible. Make sure you offer multiple payment options and explain how your organisation will use the donations.
Tools: Use donation platforms like JustGiving or PayPal to integrate secure payment options into your site. Make sure the donation form is user-friendly and accessible.
Timeline: Setting up a donation system may take 1-2 weeks. Test thoroughly to make sure you have a smooth and secure donation experience for your supporters.
Conclusion: Website design for your non-profit organization
Designing a website for your organisation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on user experience, engaging visuals, and SEO, you can create a site that truly supports your mission. At Impact Strategy Hub, we’re here to help you every step of the way, from design to digital strategy.
Book a chat with us today to start building a website that makes a difference!
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