Web Design Basics for Community Organizations

If your marketing and communications plan for 2023 includes creating a new website, you aren’t alone. Research shows that an estimated 175 websites are developed every minute worldwide! With that kind of competition, it’s important to make sure yours stands out from the rest while also telling the story you want to convey.

As you begin your planning efforts, we have a few suggestions to keep in mind. We also have a seasoned web design team ready to help you achieve all of your community's website goals if you want to save time and energy!

Tips for Creating a Website for Your Community Center

• Get a feel for what you like: The visual appeal of your website is important. As a community organization, you might not have the funding that for-profit organizations or large nonprofits do. But you can compensate by visiting their websites and making note of what you like and think might work for your organization. Ask a few others involved with your community center to do the same. This can be a good first step before you meet with web developers.

• Make it mobile friendly: Most people visit websites on tablets and smartphones. They often do so while waiting at an appointment or watching television and, don’t overlook trends like refrigerators with touch screens! People might use their mobile device to view your community calendar while they are cooking or waiting for their morning coffee to brew. Unfortunately, small organizations often haven’t caught up with mobile trends. Their sites can be tough to view and navigate on a device. Put this on your list of concerns to discuss with whomever you hire to create your website. We have additional tips for creating mobile-friendly sites here!

• Color and font choices matter: Think about who your primary audience is. While you might be trying to attract an intergenerational crowd, if seniors are your primary market, learn more about what works for older eyes. For example, we know that simple fonts in darker colors that contrast with lighter backgrounds are easier to read. Lots of space between copy, especially if you have big blocks of content on a page, also helps with readability. If you don’t already have a logo and brand guidelines for your organization, consider developing one with our team! This way your logo and style choices can be uniform throughout your organization’s communication efforts.

• Learn more about platforms: There are many platforms to choose from when looking for the best web-builder for your community’s website. Whatever platform the agencies you meet with recommend, take a little time to read reviews about it and learn more about the pros and cons. Also, make sure the web developer is aware of any third-party services you work with, such as Stripe, Donorbox, or Mailchimp. Our powerful and easy-to-use website builder WeConnect even offers live demos of the product, where you can watch the build process and ask questions.

• Keep it simple: We’ve all visited beautiful sites that have lots of bells and whistles. The downside to these is that they can be difficult to navigate. Simple is usually best, especially when your primary audience is older adults. Be sure to let the agency know about elements you need, like a Donate button or a Subscribe feature. Or maybe it’s a registration form that makes it easier for members to sign up to attend special events or programs. Also be certain the web developer can link to any social media platforms you have, like Facebook or Instagram. (And if you haven’t yet set up a Facebook page, this article has tips on using the social media site to connect with your community.)

• Don’t skimp on hosting: It can be tempting to opt for the cheapest hosting service you can find. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the best solution. An unreliable provider can mean downtime for your website, as well as slow loading times. You might also run into problems with security and bots. An inexpensive web host might not include automatic backups of your site, either. This is another area where you’ll want to do some research before making a decision.

Remember, your website conveys to the world who your organization is. Make sure it represents you well! Visit our Effortless Websites  page to learn more about telling your center’s story online.

Updated on 03-25-2024