7 Signs Your Charity Needs a New Website

Your website should be your charity’s hardest working team member it’s there 24/7, sharing your story, driving donations, and helping people connect with your cause. But if it's clunky, confusing, or downright outdated, it could be doing more harm than good.

Here are 7 clear signs that your charity needs a new website and why investing in a fresh, user-friendly design might be the best decision you make this year.

1. People can't find what they need

If users struggle to find key info like how to donate, what you do, or how to get help, you’ve got a navigation problem. And if you're getting the same questions over and over via email, that's your website crying out for clarity.

A confusing or cluttered site can lead visitors to leave. A good example of easy navigation is Women & Children First’s website clear sections and simple menus help visitors quickly find what they need. If your site isn’t that user-friendly, it’s time for a redesign.

2. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly

Nearly 60% of all web traffic in the UK is on mobile. If visitors have to pinch, zoom, or squint, they’ll bounce faster than you can say “responsive design”.

Your website should be responsive, meaning it adapts to all screen sizes without losing functionality. Hackney Children & Baby Bank’s mobile-friendly site is a perfect example. If your site doesn’t display well on phones or tablets, it’s time for a refresh. Let me help you build a website that works on any device.

3. It Looks Dated or Unprofessional

First impressions matter. If your website looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, it can make your charity seem out of touch or untrustworthy. A modern, clean design makes your charity look professional and reliable. Take Abbie’s Army, for example. The bright, welcoming design perfectly reflects their mission to fund research and support families. An updated design isn’t just about looks it’s about building trust and confidence in your cause.

4. You’re Not Showing Up in Search Results

If you Google your charity and can’t find yourself, that’s a problem. Good design is about more than just looks, it’s about being found. Poor SEO and slow load speeds might be holding you back.

5. Your Website Doesn’t Reflect Who You Are Anymore

Maybe your services have changed. Maybe your audience has grown. Maybe your brand’s evolved. If your site hasn’t kept up, it’s time to realign.

Your website should feel like an extension of your charity’s mission and values. If your site feels disconnected from your charity’s personality or the work you do, it’s time for a change. For instance, look at Frome Birth Talk. The soft, clean design perfectly reflects the charity’s caring and supportive nature. If your website doesn't match the energy of your charity’s work, I can help redesign it to tell your story in the right way.

6. You’re Not Getting Enough Engagement

If visitors aren’t taking action on your website like donating, signing up for your newsletter, or sharing your content then something’s off. Your website should be set up to encourage action. For example, Hackney Children & Baby Bank makes it easy for visitors to donate and get involved, increasing engagement. A well-designed website doesn’t just attract visitors it converts them into supporters. If your site isn’t driving action, I can help you fix that.

7. You Can’t Update It Yourself

Websites should be easy to update, especially for charities that often need to add news, blog posts, or event details. If you’re still relying on someone else to make changes, it might be time to switch to a site you can manage.

Many of my clients, like Abbie’s Army and Women & Children First, can update their own sites. A user-friendly content management system (CMS) like WIX or Squarespace allows you to keep your website fresh and up to date without technical skills. Let me help you set up a website that you can easily maintain yourself.

Ready to give your charity website a makeover?

If your website is showing its age, or just not pulling its weight it might be time for a fresh start. I offer flexible, charity-friendly packages that make it easy to upgrade without the overwhelm.

Here’s how we can work together:

Just needs a gentle refresh?

My Website Makeover package is ideal if things are mostly working but a few pages are letting the side down. We’ll focus on the bits that need it most, think homepage, donation page, or clunky navigation. From £270 per page.

Want to burn it down and start again?

If your current site just isn’t cutting it, my Bespoke Website package is a full redesign that covers everything from structure to style, tone of voice to functionality. A site that works harder for your charity and feels like you. From £3,000.

Get in touch to book a free discovery call and talk about your website needs. Let's make something beautiful (and brilliantly useful).