If you’re a non-profit Organisation looking to build an online presence, WordPress is an excellent platform to use. With its user-friendly interface and vast range of plugins and themes, WordPress can help you create a professional and engaging website that will attract donors, volunteers, and supporters.
1. Choose the Right Theme
The first step in creating a WordPress website for your non-profit Organisation is to choose the right theme. You’ll want to select a theme that is clean, professional, and easy to navigate. There are many free and paid themes available, and some are specifically designed for non-profits. Check out some of the free themes available in the WordPress repository or invest in a premium theme from a marketplace like ThemeForest.
2. Incorporate Your Branding
Your non-profit Organisation should have a consistent branding strategy that should be reflected on your website. Your website should include your logo, colours, and other branding elements to create a professional and recognizable brand image. Make sure to incorporate your branding into your website’s design and content.
3. Use a Donation Plugin
One of the primary goals of your non-profit website will be to collect donations. By using a donation plugin, you can make it easy for visitors to donate to your Organisation. There are many donation plugins available for WordPress, such as GiveWP, Charitable, and PayPal Donations. Make sure to choose a donation plugin that is easy to use and integrates with your payment gateway.
4. Highlight Your Mission and Goals
Your website should clearly communicate your non-profit Organisation’s mission and goals. Make sure to include a section on your homepage that highlights your Organisation’s purpose and objectives. This will help visitors understand your Organisation’s focus and encourage them to get involved.
5. Use Images and Videos
Visual content is an essential component of any website, including non-profits. Use images and videos to showcase your Organisation’s work and impact. You can also use visual content to highlight success stories and testimonials from donors and volunteers.
6. Provide Volunteer Opportunities
Many people are looking for ways to get involved and make a difference. Your non-profit website should include a section on volunteer opportunities. Make it easy for visitors to sign up to volunteer or donate their time and skills to your Organisation.
7. Feature Success Stories
Sharing success stories and accomplishments is an effective way to inspire and engage visitors to your website. Feature stories about the impact your Organisation has made in the community, and include testimonials from donors, volunteers, and supporters.
8. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
More and more people are using their mobile devices to browse the web, so it’s crucial to ensure your non-profit website is mobile-friendly. Use a responsive theme and test your website on different devices to ensure it looks great on all screens.
9. Integrate Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for non-profit Organisations. By integrating social media into your website, you can encourage visitors to follow your Organisation on social media and share your content with their networks. Use social media plugins to display your social media feeds and make it easy for visitors to share your content.
10. Create a Blog
A blog is an excellent way to share news and updates about your Organisation, highlight your impact, and share success stories.
11. Use an Events Calendar Plugin
If your non-profit Organisation hosts events or fundraisers, it’s essential to have an events calendar on your website. Using an events calendar plugin, such as The Events Calendar, can help you keep track of upcoming events and allow visitors to RSVP or purchase tickets directly from your website.
Learn more about The Events Calendar
12. Add a Membership Plugin
If your non-profit Organisation has a membership program, adding a membership plugin to your website can help streamline the process. With a membership plugin, you can create different levels of membership and offer exclusive content or benefits to members.
13. Create a Donation Thermometer
A donation thermometer is a visual representation of your fundraising progress. Adding a donation thermometer to your website can encourage visitors to donate and show them the impact their donations can make. You can use a plugin like WP Fundraising Thermometer to create a donation thermometer for your website.
Learn more about WP Fundraising Thermometer
14. Use a Volunteer Management Plugin
If your non-profit Organisation relies on volunteers, using a volunteer management plugin can help you streamline the process. With a volunteer management plugin, you can create volunteer sign-up forms, track volunteer hours, and communicate with volunteers.
Learn more about Volunteer Management
15. Utilize Contact Forms
Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with your non-profit Organisation by adding a contact form to your website. You can use a plugin like WPForms to create custom contact forms that integrate with your email provider.
16. Use Google Analytics
Understanding your website’s traffic and engagement is crucial for improving your online presence. Google Analytics is a free tool that can help you track your website’s performance, including pageviews, bounce rate, and more. By using Google Analytics, you can make data-driven decisions about how to improve your website.
Learn more about Google Analytics
17. Incorporate SEO Best Practices
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for improving your website’s visibility in search engine results. By incorporating SEO best practices into your website, you can attract more visitors and increase your online presence. Some SEO best practices include using keywords, creating quality content, and optimizing your website’s structure.
Learn more about SEO with Yoast
18. Use Security Plugins
Keeping your website secure is crucial, especially when collecting donations or personal information. Using a security plugin, such as Wordfence, can help protect your website from malware and other security threats.
19. Implement Accessibility
Ensuring your website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, is crucial. By implementing accessibility features, you can create a more inclusive online experience for all visitors. Some accessibility features to consider include adding alt tags to images, providing closed captions for videos, and making sure your website is compatible with screen readers.
Learn more about web accessibility with W3C
If you need help building a website for your non-profit Organisation, WP Focus is here to help. Our team of experienced developers can help you create a professional and engaging website that meets your Organisation’s needs. Check out some of the non-profit websites we’ve built, including RMCC Australia and The Settlement, to see what we can do for you. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you create a successful online presence for your non-profit Organisation.
