A well-designed website isn’t just about looking good – it’s about making a real impact for your charity. Whether you’re a small start-up or an established charity, there are some key features your website can’t do without. These features help you connect with your audience, make it easy for people to support your cause, and ensure your website works for you, not against you.
Here are the top 5 website features every charity needs:
1. Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)
The whole point of your website is to inspire action – whether that’s making a donation, signing up for a newsletter, or getting involved with your cause. So, make it easy for visitors to know what to do next. Clear, compelling calls to action (CTAs) are crucial. Whether it's a "Donate Now" button, a volunteer sign-up form, or a link to your latest campaign, make sure your CTAs are visible and straightforward. The goal is to guide visitors to take the next step without confusion.
Example: On the Abbie’s Army website, you’ll see prominent donation buttons and CTAs encouraging users to take immediate action.
2. Mobile-Friendly Design
More people browse the web on their phones than on a desktop these days. That means your charity’s website needs to look great and work seamlessly on mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on potential supporters who might leave your site if it’s hard to navigate on their phone. Make sure your site is responsive, meaning it adjusts to any screen size and loads quickly.
Check out the Women & Children First website – it’s designed to work beautifully across all devices, ensuring your message gets to as many people as possible, no matter how they’re browsing.
3. Donation Forms That Are Simple and Secure
Donations are the lifeblood of most charities, so make it as easy as possible for people to give. A simple, secure donation form should be front and centre on your website. Ideally, it should only ask for the most important details – name, email, donation amount – and offer a variety of payment methods (credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, etc.). It’s also essential to have a secure payment system to give donors peace of mind.
The Hackney Children & Baby Bank website has a streamlined donation process that makes supporting their cause quick and simple.
4. Impact Pages and Stories
Charity websites that share real stories from those they’ve helped make a lasting impact. Impact pages or testimonials are a powerful way to show the difference your charity is making. Include photos, stories, and specific examples of how donations are used. It humanises your cause and encourages trust. People want to know where their money is going and how it’s helping.
Black Girls Do Run UK does a fantastic job of sharing inspiring stories from their community, helping visitors connect emotionally with their mission.
5. Easy Navigation and User Experience (UX)
A great website isn’t just about how it looks – it’s about how it works. If your visitors can’t find what they’re looking for within a few clicks, they’ll leave. Clear, simple navigation is key. This means having easy-to-understand menu items, intuitive links, and a search function for larger websites. Every page should be accessible with just a few clicks from the homepage.
The Frome Birth Talk website is a great example of user-friendly design. It makes it easy for visitors to navigate and quickly find the information they need.
Websites Made Easy
I know all of this might sound overwhelming, especially if you're juggling a busy charity workload. Websites can be tricky, and with limited time and resources, it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head. But don’t worry—you're not alone.
That's where I come in. I specialise in helping charities like yours create websites that not only look great but actually work. From the very first steps to launching your site, I’ll guide you through the process, taking the stress out of it.
Let’s work together to build a website that makes a real impact, without all the hassle. Reach out today, and let’s chat about how I can help your charity achieve its goals.