Charity Websites
Services Offered
I offer a range of services to charities including building websites, websites run by content management systems, online strategy development, online fundraising and internet marketing. If you are looking for some help to establish or update a website please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.
Overview
Charities go online for a number of reasons. In a highly competitive market for funding an online presence is expected and, with changing patterns of giving, without an effective website you are missing out on an important channel for fundraising.
A good website is key to both generating new relationships with potential donors and the stewardship of existing supporters. Taking full advantage of the medium can enable you to develop powerful and engaging messages for fundraising and advocacy or for building public awareness around particular issues.
Depending on the charitable objects of an organisation, having an online presence can also contribute towards service delivery, improve the overall quality of service you offer and add both efficiency and economy.
As with other organisations, strategy development for a charity can be vision led or in response to a particular opportunity or business need. Charities operate in a unique environment and so it is important that the challenges and requirements of the sector are taken into account in developing online strategy.
Building a Charity Website
Prior to developing even a simple static site it's highly desirable to have thought through even a basic online strategy to inform your overall approach to the web.
There are a plethora of things to consider when developing a website and it's often easy for smaller charities to either be overwhelmed on where to start or to rush head long into the development of a site.
As well as a good design you also need to consider how people will find the site, how you will market it and what visitors will do when they get to it. You also need to consider how you will keep your site up to date and engage your audience over time.
Good websites require a multidisciplinary approach to their development. For example you may need technical input to build your site and to choose what software you use, a designer to develop the layout and look and feel, a copywriter to develop content, an information architect to plan how the site navigation and content should be laid out and marketing input to help ensure your site reaches your relevant audience.
It may be overkill to go out and hire a huge web team to develop your site! Smaller organisations can often take on board a number of these tasks such as writing content or getting involved in the marketing of the site. However to be successful it's essential that you do properly take into account the broader issues that you need to consider.
How a consultant can help
A consultant can help guide your organisation through the issues you need to consider when developing a site. It's far more cost effective to consider these at the outset - issues tackled at a later date or as an after-thought are often less effectively dealt with or require the unpicking of work already done.
In addition a consultant can help you consider your website as part of, albeit the most significant aspect of, a wider online strategy and advise you on industry trends and innovation. Once the plans for your new site have been thought through a consultant can then help you implement these and develop your site!
Example Charity Sites
Camden, City, Islington & Westminster Bereavement Service
About me
I've worked with the charitable sector for a number of years where I've been responsible for developing online strategies and websites.
I continue to work with a number of charities and cover a wide range of topics including website development, online marketing, content management systems, online fundraising and also advise charites on general trends online.
