I’ve worked with New Hampshire nonprofits for years, from Habitat for Humanity on the Seacoast to conservation groups and a Trout Unlimited chapter in the Mount Washington Valley. Most run on small budgets and busy volunteers, so the website has to work hard without needing constant attention. Here’s what makes the biggest difference.
1. Make the Mission Clear in Seconds
Visitors should understand who you are, who you serve and how to help as soon as they land on your homepage. A short, plain-language statement beats a long paragraph.
2. Put “Donate” and “Volunteer” Everywhere
Add clear buttons in your main menu and on key pages. Make online giving simple, mobile-friendly and secure.
3. Keep Events and News Current
An events page full of past dates makes an organization look inactive. Set a simple routine for posting new events and removing old ones.
4. Tell Stories With Photos
Real photos of your people, projects and community are more powerful than stock images. Optimize them so they don’t slow your site down.
5. Make It Easy for Volunteers to Edit
Set up your site so staff and volunteers can update text, events and news without breaking the design, and give each person their own login.
6. Show Up in Local Search
Claim your Google Business Profile, keep your address and hours consistent and create pages for the towns and programs you serve.
7. Take Advantage of Google Ad Grants
Eligible nonprofits can apply for Google Ad Grants, which provide free search advertising. A well-organized website is part of making the most of them.
8. Don’t Skip Maintenance and Backups
Nonprofit sites are targets for hackers just like business sites. Keep WordPress, plugins and PHP updated, and make sure someone is responsible for backups.
9. Keep the Keys
Volunteers and board members come and go. Keep a secure record of your domain, hosting and website logins so access isn’t lost when someone moves on.
Nonprofit websites are some of my favorite projects. If your organization needs help, take a look at my work with Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity and Saco Valley Trout Unlimited.
Rich Collins is the owner and lead developer of Thirst Productions, a WordPress web design, hosting and support business based in Chocorua, New Hampshire. Email me with questions about your website.