When you’re looking to bring your nonprofit organization to the next level with an online presence, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to build your site from scratch or fork out a fortune for a web designer. By identifying your organization’s needs and browsing through free nonprofit website templates, you can have your philanthropy live on the web in no time, without spending a penny. Top website builders like Wix have a variety of easy-to-use options that will make building a site even easier. You can read all about how Wix pricing, templates and features in our full Wix review.
How to launch your site
- Evaluate your organization’s needs; this will help you determine the ideal web layout
- Choose a domain name; shorter names are typically better
- Your chosen template or theme should be easy to use and suited to your organization needs
- After you build your website, make sure to test everything
Follow these simple steps to give your nonprofit the online boost it needs to further spread awareness and promote your cause. The best nonprofit website is the one that generates funds to further the cause and communicates your message to the masses.
1. Identify Your Website Needs
Evaluating your organization’s needs is the first step in building your nonprofit website. Your organization is focused on raising awareness and increasing donations, so determine how to integrate and apply these elements to your nonprofit’s website design.
A blog, for example, could provide a platform for educating your audience, while a donation button may promote contributions. You’ll also want to determine what other features are important to the success of your nonprofit site, including the number of pages, links to your social media, and additional widgets, such as a volunteer registration option. You might want to show the results of your organization’s hard work or maybe even testimonials from recipients of your nonprofit’s charity.
2. Consider Domain Name Options
Once you have an idea of the kind of website functionality you’re looking for, decide whether you want a unique domain name. Registering a domain name can help build your brand and make it easier for consumers to locate your charity on the web. The shorter the better, too. If your organization goes by an acronym, see if that’s available. If you do decide to register a domain name, keep in mind that most nonprofits use .org instead of .com to help differentiate their organization from a commercial business. Also, depending on the provider, you may need to pay an annual or monthly fee for your domain’s subscription.
3. Pick a Nonprofit Website Template
After pinpointing the necessary elements you’d like on your site and choosing a domain name, it’s time to find a website builder that offers free nonprofit website templates that match your needs. Do your research and compare a number of website builders to find one that appeals to your eye, is easy to use, and has functionality that suits your organization. By searching through themes that are specific to nonprofit website templates, you’re more likely to find designs that are geared toward your industry and already include the features you’re looking for.
Event management tools, donation tracking graphics, gallery plugins, and online payment components are just a few of the features that nonprofit website designs may offer. You’ll find that some templates have pre-set designs, while others provide you with more creative flexibility, such as the option to choose your color scheme and photo layout. There are a wide variety of nonprofit organization website templates to browse through, guaranteeing you’ll find one that’s an ideal match. Once you’ve settled on a good fit, register with the website builder and get ready to roll.
4. Test It Out
Now for the fun part. After uploading all of your content, photos, and videos, take your site for a spin. Test out all the links and make sure consumers can easily navigate through your pages. Put yourself in their shoes and ensure they can locate information about your organization, donation options, and volunteer registration. Are the original goals you outlined clear and accessible? If so, you’re ready to go live!
It’s never too late to get on the website bandwagon. By creating the best nonprofit website, you can put your charity on the map and generate more buzz about your cause. Spreading the word and increasing donations is much easier to accomplish with the help of an online presence for your nonprofit organization.
Ready to build an online presence for your nonprofit organization? Check out our website building guides!
Free Websites for Nonprofits: FAQs
How do I create a free nonprofit website?
There are plenty of top website builders out there, such as Wix, Squarespace and WordPress, that have a whole host of free templates and features that are perfect for nonprofit organaztions. All you have to do is choose the template that suits your needs and add the relevant content.
Does Wix offer nonprofit?
Wix actually gives the option for nonprofits to sign up for a free Combo Premium Plan for a year. After registering and creating a site, there is an option of extending the plan for an additional two years.
What should a nonprofit website include?
When it comes to nonprofit websites it's important to take into consideraton having a responsive design that includes a strong mission statement, About Us section and individual staff pages. It should also include a streamlined donation page, prominent soccial media links and financial transparency.
