10 Nonprofit Website Must Haves, 100 Inspirational Websites

Recently I have been having several discussions around the idea of what makes an effective nonprofit website.  This question cannot be answered completely without first understanding the mission and objectives of the NGO, but there are a number of key points that seem to apply to most organizations out there. 

In this posting I will supply you with two things.  1)  a quick check list of "things all NGO sites should have", and 2)  a collection of links to some great NGO websites that can serve as inspiration.

The NGO Website Checklist

  1. Simple navigation.  Typically you should have no more than a half dozen or so options at the top level (menu options below that are fine).
  2. Donate button.  Keep it colorful, with simple text and a prominent location.  Check out this study done by Amnesty International and Donor Digital on how to optimize your donate button parameters.
  3. Mission and money on the home page.  Less than half of NGOs currently put a concise mission statement on the front page, and less than 5% tell potential donors how they are going to use their money.
  4. How to stay connected.  Provide simple, prominent forms for email/newsletter signups.  Add social media icons (Facebook, Twitter etc) where appropriate so people can follow you online.
  5. Easy ways to engage.  Ensure that potential volunteers and event attendees can quickly find the information they need right from your home page.
  6. Spreading the word.  Provide a "media" section so bloggers, journalists and others can quickly find information on your site and link back to it.
  7. Blog it yourself.  Contributing regularly to a blog hosted on your main website not only gives viewers a reason to return, but search engines will come back more often as well.  This means promotion through the Google/Bing results pages.
  8. Success stories.  Who have you helped?  What has your organization accomplished?  If you have a third party (volunteer, donor, client) who has something great to say about your NGO, put it on page one!
  9. Show it.  We all respond to images and videos.  While text content is king for search engines, well chosen images engage the viewer and can quickly show what your organization is about and who benefits from it.
  10. Measure it (my personal favourite).  Ensure you have some form of analytics tool (Google Analytics, Yahoo Web Analytics) installed on your website and take a couple of hours each week to review how people are (or aren't) using your website.  Use that information to refine and adjust your website layout, navigation, and/or content.

100 Inspirational NGO Websites

The following sites have collected some great NGO website examples to provide you with some ideas for your next website tuneup/redesign.

So, you now have 10 key ideas, and 100 super websites in your nonprofit toolbox.  Take the next step, and start brainstorming about changes (minor or major) than can be made to your NGO website.  Your community, clients, volunteers, and those who support you will greatly appreciate it.