Wondering if your website is helping or hurting your nonprofit? A well-designed nonprofit website can help elevate your digital presence, increase online donations, gain increased media attention, and more! Here are 22 nonprofit web design recommendations that can help you optimize your organization’s site and grow your online reach.
Best Nonprofit Web Design Tips
Don’t have time to read the whole article? We get it—you’re busy! So here are the top 4 things you should do to improve your nonprofit website.
1. Make Sure It’s Mobile-Responsive
Why It’s Important:
With a majority of your donor base coming to your website from their phones or tablets (approximately 60% of search traffic is done on mobile devices), it’s important to optimize the mobile user experience.
Having to pinch, scroll, or zoom to view your content can frustrate users and keep them from staying on your site long enough to submit their donations or engage with your organization.
How It’s Done:
Many website builders will automatically generate a mobile-responsive version of your website.
However, you should still design with mobile in mind to ensure that your page will translate over well. Minimize the number of elements you have on your page, stick to a vertical design, and use a large, easy-to-read font.
Even better, make sure that you turn any CTAs into buttons rather than hyperlinked text. If you’ve ever tried to click a link in an article on your smartphone, you know how hard it can be. Don’t let a poor user experience get in the way of a visitor’s genuine interest!
Remember: The best way to tell if your site looks good on mobile is to view it on a mobile device. If you are redesigning your website, you should spend a lot of your review and QA time having staff members comb through the site on their smartphones and tablets.
The Takeaway: Mobile is the present and future of communication. Design your page for mobile so all of your donors will be able to navigate it easily, no matter which device they’re using.
2. Include Social Elements
Why It’s Important:
Incorporating social elements into your website—or elements that are designed to have a visitor share the page or form that they’re viewing—helps expand your reach and gives your supporters another way to engage with your organization online.
How It’s Done:
Since your website and social media pages form the cornerstone of your organization’s online presence, it can be helpful to think of these two things as interrelated.
Incorporate social sharing buttons into your website articles and web forms so it’s easy for supporters to share your content with their friends.
You can also share the articles and updates you post on your website to your social media pages to maintain a regular posting schedule and always keep your followers engaged.
The Takeaway: Your website and social media pages go hand in hand. Incorporating social sharing features into your website will make it easier to establish your social media presence and enable you to reach more supporters’ engagement preferences.
3. Add an Email Subscription Form
Why It’s Important:
If a visitor likes what they see on your website, they will likely be open to signing up for your email list. Your job is to make sure that signing up is easy!
Including an easy-to-find email subscription form on your website will boost your email newsletter subscription rates. More supporters will be aware of the option to subscribe and will have a convenient way of doing so.
There are two ways that you can add an email subscription form:
- Add an email subscription widget to your website’s footer. That way, no matter what page they’re on, a visitor can easily enter their email address, click a button, and sign up!
- Create an email subscription pop-up that asks a visitor to subscribe. While this is a more direct and assertive way to collect email addresses, it also has the downside of potentially annoying your website users.
How It’s Done:
Your website builder and/or your email marketing service should provide you with a code that you can insert into your website to generate a subscription form. Many nonprofit website builders will also have an email subscription widget you can easily add to your site.
If you’re using a pop-up, you will have some decisions to make regarding frequency. Some organizations will opt to have it pop up every time a user changes pages, while others might have the pop-up appear only when people visit certain pages.
Either way, make sure to feature your email subscription form prominently and include a short sentence or two about what subscribing entails and what value users will get from your newsletters.
The Takeaway: Adding an email subscription form to your website can help your email list grow by leaps and bounds.
4. Integrate Your Website with Your CRM
Why It’s Important:
By integrating your website with your nonprofit’s CRM, all of the data you collect from webforms will automatically be recorded in your donor profiles.
In other words, integration takes the time and hassle out of data management!
Plus, many CRMs have tools built in that will make it easier to generate donation pages and other types of forms in the first place.
How It’s Done:
During the buying process, look for a donor database that can generate branded forms that can easily be incorporated into your website.
Conversely, if you’re looking for a new website host, make sure it can support your CRM.
Alternatively, you could look for a vendor that provides both software and web design services. Neon One offers seamless integration between our nonprofit website builder, Neon Websites, and our donor management system, Neon CRM.
The Takeaway:
When you integrate your website with your donor database, transferring and tracking your data will be a breeze.
If you’d like to learn more about Neon Websites, click the button below to join one of our 30-minute, no-pressure group demos!
Nonprofit Website Navigation Tips
All great websites are easy to navigate. Here are five tips to help you lay out your nonprofit’s website in ways that are simple and intuitive.
5. Feature the Most Relevant Information
Why It’s Important:
Your homepage navigation will be how a vast majority of your users get around your site.
In the navigation menu, include links to the pages on your site that your users most likely came to find. That will make it easy for them to navigate your site and find the content they want.
How It’s Done:
To pinpoint the most efficient navigation structure, consider your visitors and why they’re coming to your site. What information are most of them looking for? What information do you want them to see?
And, remember, your site has different kinds of visitors! Think about the needs and interests of your donors versus your clients versus your volunteers.
Feature the most relevant pages (e.g. “About Us,” “Ways to Give,” etc.) in the primary navigation, which is usually a bar across the top of the page. Leave less important content for the secondary navigation, which are the dropdowns that open up underneath the menu items in your primary navigation.
If you’re having trouble deciding what pages to include in your primary navigation and need a starting point, try break your menu down into the following four categories:
- About Us
- Our Work
- Get Involved
- News and Updates
The Takeaway:
Including the most relevant, important content in your navigation will make it straightforward for users to find the information they want, increasing the likelihood they’ll stay on your website for longer.
6. Put the Navigation Bar at the Top
Why It’s Important:
The navigation on your homepage will be crucial to your users’ experience of your website.
Placing the navigation bar on the top of your page ensures that all visitors can easily spot it and use it to get to the information they’re looking for. That will keep them on your site longer.
How It’s Done:
A top bar navigation is standard for most websites, so most builders should allow you to easily place the navigation at the top.
In fact, many will have it set as the default!
Need an example? Just scroll to the top of this page and check out the navigation we’ve created for NeonOne.com.
The Takeaway:
The very top of your website will be the part users spot first. Include the navigation there so that it’s readily accessible.
7. Keep Titles Short and Simple
Why It’s Important:
Your navigation has one purpose and one purpose only: To get visitors to the pages they want as quickly and easily as possible.
Keeping the titles on the navigation bar short and simple will ensure your navigation is scannable for users so they can get to the desired content without a second thought.
How It’s Done:
All navigation titles, including those in drop-down menus, should be no more than two or three words.
Additionally, make sure that you’re using language that’s easy for users to understand. Avoid flowery language or jargon; your titles should reflect the information on each page as clearly and accurately as possible.
The Takeaway:
Keeping titles short and sweet ensures that users will know exactly where to click to access the content they want.
8. Make Dropdown Menus Easy to Read
Why It’s Important:
While they might not include links to pages as important as those featured in your primary navigation bar, dropdown menus still play a key part in how well users are able to get around your site.
To provide the best user experience, your sub-navigation should be just as clear and intuitive as your main navigation.
How It’s Done:
Keep your dropdown menus to two levels or less. Use text that’s large enough for users to read and leave ample space between titles to prevent your menus from looking too cluttered.
Experiment with different fonts as well. You might like the look and feel of a certain font only to find that it’s actually really difficult to read on your site—especially when someone’s visiting on their phone.
Include a hover feature that highlights text as users run their mouse over it, so they can stay oriented with where they are in the navigation.
Lastly, you should set your sub-menus so they only expand when a user hovers over the relevant item. This will create a much better experience on mobile devices.
If someone clicks “Get Involved” and is confronted with a list of 15 items—instead of 5 items, each of which can expand into a sub-menu of 3 items—they’re more likely to get overwhelmed and leave.
The Takeaway:
Keep drop down menus minimal and to a minimum so that they’re easy for users to navigate.
9. Provide Multiple Ways to Get to Key Content
Why It’s Important:
Not all visitors will approach your website the same way, and different methods of navigation will be more intuitive to different visitors.
By including multiple ways to get to key content on your site, users are more likely to find and land on the content they want.
Furthermore, providing multiple pathways to the same content subtly lets browsers know which pages are most important to your organization.
How It’s Done:
Determine which pages users are most likely to visit when using your site and which you’d like to highlight (hint: It’s probably similar to your top navigation!). Then, think about where else you can link to these pages logically and organically.
Consider adding a search bar so that visitors who come looking for certain pages can find them without searching through a menu.
The Takeaway:
Providing multiple pathways to key pages highlights the most important content and increases traffic to those pages.
Nonprofit Website Layout Tips
How your website looks and feels to a first-time visitor can be just as important as the information being presented. Follow these six tips to create a site that gets site users invested in your mission.
10. Make the Cause Clear
Why It’s Important:
Your website is the digital face of your nonprofit’s brand. When people land on your site, you want them to know immediately what it is you’re all about.
Your homepage’s design will be the first thing that users notice and react to, so it’s important to make both your specific mission and your organization’s impact apparent from the outset.
How It’s Done:
Design your website with your cause at the forefront of your mind.
Make sure to include a concise but vivid blurb about your mission and to feature a compelling, cause-related image (ideally one that’s original to your organization) at the top of your page.
The Takeaway:
Make sure visitors know exactly who you are by incorporating language and images about your cause and mission into the design of your homepage.
11. Include Your Logo in the Top Left of the Header
Why It’s Important:
The top left of your website’s header is the first thing that visitors will see when they land on your page.
Including your logo there orients them with your brand and lets them know that they’re interacting with an organization they trust right from the beginning.
When it comes to web design, featuring the logo in the top left of your header is standard. Some users might even expect it!
How It’s Done:
This one is pretty straightforward!
Just keep in mind that it’s also standard for your logo to link back to your homepage. That way, visitors will always have a convenient and intuitive way to get back to home base no matter which page they’re on.
The Takeaway:
Featuring your logo in the top left of the header is a design standard that guarantees your supporters will always remain aware of your brand as they’re browsing your site.
12. Update Your Website Every Two to Four Years
Why It’s Important:
Your website’s design is the first thing your supporters will notice, and it plays a huge role in how they perceive your organization and whether or not they trust you.
A poorly designed and out-of-date website can cause you to seem less credible and authoritative.
How It’s Done:
Every two to four years, evaluate your website to make sure it’s in keeping with the current trends. It can be helpful to look at other nonprofit websites to get an idea of what’s modern in the sector.
Additionally, it’s best to design as proactively as possible. While website design trends will naturally change, try to avoid trends and stick with what’s tried and true. This will help prevent having to update your site frequently or regularly make many major changes.
The Takeaway:
Updating your organization’s website every few years means it will always appear fresh, modern, and authoritative to your supporters.
If your organization is currently planning on a website redesign, you should definitely check out our comprehensive Website Optimization Action Plan.
13. Keep It Simple
Why It’s Important:
Not only does using a simple layout keep your website looking modern for longer (that means fewer updates!), but it also provides users with a better experience.
A design that’s too ornate can look cluttered and make it more difficult for users to access the information they’re seeking.
How It’s Done:
As tempting as it can be, resist the urge to cram your website with fancy design elements, images, and large blocks of text. As you design, ask yourself: Is this piece of content necessary? Does it provide users with something of value? Only include it if the answer to both questions is “yes.”
You should also leave plenty of white space around your content to create the most impact and give users’ eyes a break.
The Takeaway:
A simple and streamlined website will be easier for your users to navigate and easier for your organization to maintain.
14. Be Consistent with Branding
Why It’s Important:
Branding ensures that all aspects of your website are consistent, which is key to establishing authority and building trust with your supporters.
Think about it: When your website is consistent, visitors will always be sure that they’re interacting with your nonprofit, no matter what page they land on.
How It’s Done:
If you’re using a website builder to construct your site, set all defaults to be consistent with your brand.
You should use a color scheme that reflects your logo and limit your color choices to three or four, max. Make sure to use the same, easy-to-read font throughout (sans serif fonts work best for web) and that the color of hyperlinks fits in with the rest of your design.
If you need to build webforms, many CRMs can generate branded forms and incorporate them into your website.
The Takeaway:
Your website is all about your organization. Make sure it always reinforces who you are by keeping consistent branding throughout.
15. Use Compelling Images
Why It’s Important:
When you use them strategically, the right images can be incredibly impactful when it comes to illustrating your work, spreading your message, and raising awareness of your cause.
Plus, images tend to be more eye-catching than text, so they’re a great way to grab your supporters’ attention and keep them engaged.
How It’s Done:
The most vivid and relevant images will be those taken or created by your organization. They should either be emotionally compelling (think: An image of those you serve) or informative (think: An infographic breaking down one of your articles on a topic related to your cause).
Just remember to keep visuals to a minimum; cramming too many onto a page can reduce the impact and be distracting.
And don’t forget to include images on your donation page! The right image will help reinforce a person’s decision to give and could improve your conversion rates.
The Takeaway:
Images can make your website more striking and easier to digest. To avoid overusing images, double check that every image you include provides the visitor with something of value.
Nonprofit Website Content Tips
Design and layout are important, but they won’t matter at all if your website’s content isn’t up to snuff. Here are seven tips that you can use to create awesome website content that translates into real audience engagement.
16. Develop a Content Strategy
Why It’s Important:
Content is the substance of your website and will be key to marketing your organization and appealing to your donors.
Developing a content strategy ensures that all content is cohesive and consistent with your brand and goals. Plus, when donors feel like there’s an intention behind your content, they’re more likely to be swayed by it.
How It’s Done:
To develop a content strategy, start by asking: What goals do we hope to accomplish with our website? How do we hope to frame our organization, work, and cause to get to these goals?
Once you have a few goals in mind, think about what content you can include and how you can structure your content to reach your ideal outcome.
Remember, content can mean a blog post, a video, a webinar, etc. And content you create for your website can also be repurposed for other channels like email, social media, or even direct mail!
SEO should also figure into your content strategy. Not only can you target search phrases and keywords that prospective supporters are likely to use, but regularly updating your site with new content will help improve your site’s performance in search results.
The Takeaway:
Determining a content strategy before you build your website ensures that everything you post will be directed and cohesive.
If you want to learn the nuts and bolts of creating content for your nonprofit’s website, check out the Content Strategy section of our article, Nonprofit Websites: Your Comprehensive Guide.
17. Prominently Display Your Donation Button
Why It’s Important:
Chances are, many visitors are coming to your website to make a donation. Having to search around for a donation button can frustrate potential donors and deter them from actually submitting their contributions.
Feature your donation button in a prominent place so there’s never any uncertainty (or missed donations)!
How It’s Done:
When placing your button in spots around your site, always display it prominently and title it clearly. Don’t forget to include it in the top navigation, too, so that it’s accessible from all pages.
To make your button even more eye-catching, use a standout color and consider changing the language from the generic “Donate Now!” to something more specific to your organization.
Make sure that your button also leads directly to your donation page. A visitor should always be one click away from reaching that form and donating to your mission!
The Takeaway:
When you feature your donation button in prominent spots on your website, you’ll never miss out on an online donation again!
18. Feature Multiple Calls to Action
Why It’s Important:
Calls to action (CTAs) help you to build relationships with your supporters by letting them know how they can interact with your organization further.
Featuring multiple CTAs throughout your website provides current donors with additional engagement opportunities. It also enables those supporters who might not be ready to donate but still want to support you to get involved with your organization.
How It’s Done:
The first step to creating calls to action is to figure out which actions you should request from your supporters. While asking for donations is probably the most popular option, you should include various opportunities to account for different supporters’ preferences.
When placing CTAs on your website, make sure to feature them prominently and use concise, clear, and urgent language so they’re as compelling as possible.
The Takeaway:
CTAs play a crucial role in the online stewardship process and allow your supporters to choose their own involvement.
19. Take a Donor-Centric Approach
Why It’s Important:
When supporters get to your website, they aren’t really looking to learn about your organization; they’re looking to learn about how people like them became involved and made a difference.
Furthermore, your organization wouldn’t get very far without the help of your generous donors. They deserve to be highlighted on your website!
How It’s Done:
Consider creating a page on your website dedicated to donors and stewardship where you can highlight the contributions that helped your organization make big strides.
When telling your organization’s story, share how your donors and volunteers played a part in getting you to where you are today.
One easy way to tell if your website is donor-centric is if you count more uses of the word “you” than “I” or “we.”
The Takeaway:
Donors are the true lifeblood of your organization. By centering your website around them, you’ll provide them with the information they want and give them the recognition they deserve.
20. Highlight Organizational Events
Why It’s Important: Frequently updating your website is important to maintaining your credibility. One of the easiest ways to do this with your content is by posting about current events within your organization.
Not only will posting about events let donors know what’s going on at your nonprofit, but consistently featuring new content also makes your organization appear more relevant. If you’re not updating your site periodically, supporters might misinterpret it to mean you aren’t interested in communicating or even that you’re inactive.
How It’s Done: Promote upcoming events by maintaining an events calendar, and document past events so you can share current organizational news with your supporters.
For example, soon after an event is over, you could have one of your staff members or volunteers write a short article about it that includes photos of your team and attendees enjoying themselves.
The Takeaway: Keep your content current by posting about events. When prospective donors see all of the fun times you’re having, they’re sure to join in on your good work!
21. Make It Engaging With Multimedia
Why It’s Important:
Including multiple forms of media on your website provides you with the best chance of capturing and keeping your supporters’ attention.
Furthermore, people have different preferences when it comes to how they receive information. Multimedia will ensure all of your bases are covered.
How It’s Done:
While most of your content will either be text or photos, think outside of the box to come up with some creative ways you can use media to share your information and bring your website to life.
Videos and sound clips are always popular options, but if you can make your website even more interactive (for example, you could include surveys, quizzes, maps, virtual tours, etc.) you’ll strike gold!
One thing to remember with hosting video: Embedding a video directly onto your page can drastically slow down load times, which creates a poor user experience and is really bad for SEO. Consider hosting your videos on another site (like YouTube) and embedding that code on your page instead.
The Takeaway:
Using multimedia will help your website stand out from the crowd and will keep your donors actively engaging with your content for longer.
22. Create a Media Kit
Why It’s Important:
Media attention is great for your organization, because it can help you reach more potential supporters and get the word out about your work and cause.
Creating a media kit ensures that, if someone does choose to feature you in the media, your organization will always be framed in the way you want.
How It’s Done:
The best practice is to assemble a media kit that includes materials such as information about your organization and cause, original quotes, case studies, photos, etc. Then, upload it to your website as a downloadable resource.
A strong “About Us” page can help members of the media write the best possible story about your organization. Make it clear and easy for the press by providing a designated media contact for them to reach out to.
The Takeaway:
A media kit makes it easy for media figures to represent your organization the way you’d like to be represented.
Neon Websites: Nonprofit Web Design Made Easy
Designing, building, and running a website is hard work—but it’s hard work that pays off! All the tips listed above are geared towards helping you simplify the website process and focus on the kinds of smart, strategic actions that will help your nonprofit’s site engage users, increase donations, and boost your digital presence.
If your organization wants to do more with your site, Neon Websites can help. It’s a website builder and platform designed specifically for nonprofits, with mission-specific templates, a no-code interface, tons of helpful features, and—for Neon CRM customers—a seamless system integration that will save your staff tons of time.
Want to learn more? Schedule a personal demo today!
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