As charities strive to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age, the question of when is the right time to update their website can be daunting. According to a recent survey, 44% of not-for-profits said improving their website is a top priority. Despite this, many organisations we speak with are unsure of when and how often they should be updating their websites.
As the leader of a charitable organisation, you are likely aware of how critical your website can be to your success. A website that is informative, visually appealing and user-friendly can help you connect with potential donors, raise awareness about your mission and ultimately advance your charitable goals. But just as with any other aspect of your organisation, your website requires ongoing attention and maintenance to remain effective. A crucial challenge is the lack of a plan when seeking to make improvements.
Before you sink your teeth into a plan for your website let’s cover some key indicators that it might be time for a refresh.
- Your website looks outdated: While it may seem obvious, one of the most apparent signs that it’s time to update your charity website is if it looks outdated. If your website design feels like it’s from a different era or lacks the features and functionality that you need, it’s time for a refresh. Having a website that is current and well-designed can help increase engagement with your audience and reflect your organisation’s relevance.
- Your website is not mobile-friendly: With more users accessing the internet from their mobile devices each year, having a mobile-friendly website is indisputable. In fact, over 80% of internet users own a smartphone, and they expect websites to be catered to their devices. If your website is not optimised for mobile devices, it could be frustrating for users and prevent them from engaging with your organisation. Updating your site to be mobile-responsive can help you reach a broader audience and provide a seamless experience for all device users.
- Your website has a high bounce rate: A high bounce rate is when users leave your website quickly after clicking on it. This could be indicative of several issues. If your website has a slow load time, confusing navigational structure, or too much irrelevant information, it will undoubtedly drive important people away. Redesigning your website can improve its user-friendliness, making it easier for your audience to find what they are looking for and engage with your charity.
- Your website security is compromised: One of the more severe reasons to update your charity website is for safety concerns. If your website has been hacked or has other security issues, it could impact the integrity and credibility of your organisation. An intrusion could also result in a data breach. To avoid such severe consequences, ensure your website is kept up-to-date with the latest security protocols and update your website’s core software regularly.
- Your website doesn’t articulate your mission effectively: Another crucial reason to update your charity website is if it doesn’t effectively convey your mission to your audience. Your mission statement should be clear, concise, and easy to read, and your website should be set up to direct visitors towards taking action. Updating your website with compelling content and imagery could increase awareness of your charitable organisation and inspire more people to get involved.
At this point, you may have identified that you are joining the long list of non-profits prioritising their website improvements. So, what’s next? Whatever you’re considering, don’t move forward without a PLAN!
- Plan for a website that engages your community
- Plan your website structure
- Plan your content
- Plan how you will select a provider or communicate your needs to your existing provider
If you’d like to know more about planning improvements to your website to help your charitable organisation succeed, join me, Bel Temby, on Zoom for my free webinar, “Perfecting your Plan for your Non-profit Website” on June 13th at 11.30 am. Register here.