Boost Your NONPROFIT WEB DEVELOPMENT With These Tips

 In today's increasingly competitive nonprofit sector, nonprofit web development is essential. A nonprofit web site can communicate its mission and goals in a compelling and memorable way. nonprofit web development involves a variety of steps from planning to design to implementation. There are many avenues to explore for nonprofit web development. Below are some ideas for developing your nonprofit site.

-Assemble your nonprofit web development staff. Assemble your web design team, including writers, editors, graphic designers, and web developers. Conduct extensive research on various web design companies for nonprofit organizations. Submit RFPs to various top nonprofit web development companies. Meet with the top nonprofit web development companies for your nonprofit.

-Plan your content strategy. Make sure that you plan out your content strategy early. Your strategy should include targeting visitors to your site who have demonstrated an interest in your organization, products or services. This will help build credibility among potential supporters, increase donations and volunteers, and attract donations and sponsorships.

-List your requirements. Review potential websites and provide examples of similar organizations. Your list may include such features as web templates, RTPs, and RSS feeds. If your goal is to find a top nonprofit web development firm, request quotes based on your preferences.

-Contribute to a directory. Join the Web Foundation to receive contributions from other nonprofits. This can help you gain access to the best web design firms in your area.

-List the important features of your nonprofit website. Among the most important features are the following: internal and external links, categories and subcategories, search function, multiple language support, customizable columns and pages, and sitemaps. Make sure your web development company has the software and tools necessary for supporting these important features. It is also a good idea to request samples of existing nonprofits with which your organization has shared a web space.

-Avoid using generic websites. Many nonprofit organizations are unique and deserve to be listed in relevant directories. Avoid creating generic websites that all web visitors are likely to encounter. Make sure your nonprofit website uses proper URLs (URLs that begin with lowercase letters, numbers and/or symbols) and includes helpful description text. A well-designed website will appeal more to visitors, increase donations and volunteers, and encourage donations and growth.

Don't underestimate the power of design. When it comes to appealing to donors and visitors, the visual appeal of a nonprofit's website can make the difference between success and failure. It's important for web design to include several high-impact features such as a prominent donation page, an on-site donation calculator, and a newsletter sign-up. These are just a few of the many features available to you. Your nonprofit organization will benefit from a well-designed website that includes all of the above mentioned items, as well as a well-designed donation page that are easy for donors to donate to and visually appealing.

-Avoid using volunteer managers or content management systems. The nonprofit web development process will fail if the nonprofit's administrators do not manage their volunteer database and communications appropriately. If visitors and donors do not feel connected to your organization, they will quickly leave. The addition of a volunteer manager or content management system can be a great addition that makes your nonprofit feel more organized and responsive. However, avoid using these systems if your organization lacks the budget to pay for these services. Instead, communicate to your nonprofit members about the importance of managing their own contacts and communications, and provide links to reputable third-party services (such as Get Connected) to handle these tasks.

-Avoid using expensive software. No matter how affordable your software may seem, it is imperative that your nonprofit website designs are practical. Nonprofits that opt for the "cheapest" solutions often find themselves stuck in a cycle of continual upgrades, which is difficult to manage for long periods of time. While software changes and upgrades are inevitable, it is best to minimize them as much as possible and remain satisfied with the quality of your work.

-Avoid clutter. It is not uncommon for nonprofits to have hundreds of websites and social media accounts. Unfortunately, this also creates clutter where you cannot find certain information you need. Avoid adding too many sites to your network. A nonprofit web design should be free of distractions. Look for sites that simplify your organization's mission and provide users with only the information they need.

Your nonprofit website should promote your mission as well as your expertise. Add links to your organization's Facebook page and Twitter account so supporters and other people who might be interested can learn more about your organization. Social media outlets allow your web visitors to get in touch with your organization as well as encourage them to help fund your projects.