It may be surprising but only 71% of businesses had a website as of February 2023 but also a new website is created every few seconds. Of the 1.13 billion websites on the internet, only just over 200 million are routinely visited and actively maintained. That’s a lot of competition!
Plus, 88% of users won’t return to a website if they’ve had a bad experience and half of website visitors say their impression of a business is formed in the first few seconds of visiting that website. All of this is to say that your website matters. It matters to raise awareness, engage supporters, and drive your nonprofit mission forward – and having an online presence, no matter how simple the website is, is crucial.
One of the most popular website content management systems (CMS) is WordPress, with over 46% of websites being built on this platform. We’ll explore how WordPress can empower nonprofits to make an impact in your corner of the world.
Why use WordPress for your nonprofit?
The bottom line is cost. WordPress is an open-source platform, which means it’s free to use and adaptable to the budget constraints of nonprofit organizations. There are thousands of free themes and plugins available, which can save substantial costs in website development. But even if you do use a web design and development agency, you will save costs on the hosting fees each year.
WordPress offers an intuitive interface that allows users to manage and update their websites with minimal training. This ease of use reduces the reliance on external developers, saving time and resources, which is especially useful when nonprofits rely often on volunteers and staff with limited technical skills. An agency can give you the skills to make basic changes to your website’s content, newsletter, blog and more – but you may need to consult experts for more complicated changes.
WordPress also offers a high degree of flexibility in design and functionality, which means nonprofits can customize their websites to reflect their unique missions and branding, ensuring they stand out and effectively communicate their messages.
WordPress is renowned for its search engine optimization (SEO) capabilities. With the right plugins and content strategies, nonprofits can improve their visibility in search engine results, attracting more supporters and donors. A good web developer can enhance your SEO and let you know how you can keep your customer base engaged by publishing a newsletter, for example.
WordPress has a vast global community of developers and users who can provide assistance and support should you ever need it. Additionally, there are numerous online resources, forums, and tutorials to help nonprofits make the most of their websites.
At Key Medium, we have a Coding for Causes programme to help nonprofits afford stellar websites.
How can I build an effective nonprofit website using WordPress?
Domain and hosting
The first step is to select a domain name that reflects your nonprofit’s identity and mission, which is usually your business name or closely related. Then, choose a reliable web hosting provider that can handle the traffic your website is expected to generate. Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations. Once installed, you can login and start building your website.
When building your website, there are numerous themes designed specifically for nonprofits. Look for a theme that aligns with your branding and offers features that help with fundraising, event management, and storytelling.
Content, donation buttons, and SEO
Next, create compelling, informative, and emotionally engaging content. Highlight your nonprofit’s mission, showcase success stories, and communicate the impact of your work. WordPress makes it easy to add text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements to your site. Maintain an active blog to keep your supporters informed about your activities and the causes you’re advocating for. Regular updates not only engage your audience but also boost your website’s SEO. Plus, leverage social media plugins to encourage sharing and interaction. This helps expand your reach and connect with a broader audience.
One of the most important bits of “content” is integrating donation buttons or plugins so you encourage people to give when they can. Popular plugins like GiveWP and Charitable allow you to accept online donations securely.
Building an email list is vital for nonprofits. Use plugins like Mailchimp for WordPress to collect and manage email addresses, then send out newsletters and updates to keep supporters informed. You can let them know about what’s happening with your nonprofit in the community or about your latest newsletter, blog, or social media content. Utilize SEO plugins like Yoast SEO to optimize your content for search engines. This ensures your website is easily discoverable by potential supporters and donors.
Email marketing and events
In addition to email marketing, if your nonprofit hosts events, consider an event management plugin like Event Espresso or The Events Calendar. These plugins help you organize and promote your events effectively.
Accessibility, mobile readiness, and security
Make sure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. WordPress provides tools and themes that prioritize accessibility. Additionally, ensure your site is mobile-friendly to accommodate users on various devices.
Security is a top priority for any website. Regularly update WordPress and its plugins, implement security plugins, and follow best practices to protect your site and donor information.
Data collection and analytics
Use tools like Google Analytics to track user behavior on your website. Analyze data to understand your audience better and tailor your content and campaigns accordingly.
What other tools does WordPress have?
Beyond just your website, WordPress offers additional tools to expand your nonprofit’s reach and impact/
Advocacy
WordPress offers “WP Social Advocacy” which allows you to create petitions and advocacy campaigns directly on your WordPress site. This way, you can mobilize supporters for social change and promote your cause more effectively.
Educational resources
If your nonprofit offers educational resources or membership programs, WordPress can help you set up e-learning platforms and membership sites to engage your audience further.
Multilingual support
For nonprofits with a global reach, WordPress offers multilingual plugins to make your content accessible to a broader audience.
CRM and e-commerce integration
Integrate customer relationship management (CRM) systems to manage donor relationships more efficiently. Plugins like “WP-CRM” can help you keep track of donor interactions and engagement.
If your nonprofit sells merchandise or merchandise as part of its fundraising efforts, you can integrate e-commerce solutions like WooCommerce for a seamless online shopping experience.
Engaging the community and building trust
One of the most significant benefits of using WordPress for nonprofit organizations is the ability to engage your community. By allowing comments on your blog posts, responding to inquiries, and actively participating in social media discussions, you can build trust and a sense of community around your cause. This engagement can lead to increased support, both in terms of donations and volunteer involvement. Over and over at Key Medium, we talk about the importance of branding for reputation and using ethical practices in your nonprofit to drive engagement so we can all reach your mission and aims together.
Maintenance and updates
A WordPress website (like any website) requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and security. Keep your plugins, themes, and the WordPress core up to date. Regularly back up your website and monitor it for any issues. This maintenance ensures your website continues to effectively serve your nonprofit’s mission. You can also hire a web development and design agency to do iterative updates and maintenance when required.
The takeaways
WordPress is a powerful and cost-effective platform for nonprofits with a user-friendly interface, customization options, and a vast library of plugins and themes. WordPress empowers organizations to build engaging and informative websites, allowing nonprofits to connect with their community, raise awareness, and drive the social change they are passionate about, all while staying within their budget constraints.
If you need a WordPress website for your organization or nonprofit, get in touch with Key Medium today.
Elaine Frieman holds a Master’s Degree and is a UK-based professional editor, educational writer, and former marketing agency content writer where she wrote articles for disparate clients using SEO best practice. She enjoys reading, writing, walking in the countryside, traveling, spending time with other people’s cats, and going for afternoon tea.
