Websites & Web Applications
Jacco van den Berg
January 17, 2024
Not only commercial companies benefit from a good website, but non-profit organizations also need to communicate correctly with their target group online to achieve their objectives and become successful. And the similarities go further. Because for both profit and non-profit, you must first have a brand that is relevant to your target group. If the 'purpose' of your brand is not yet clearly visible in your mind, it will be difficult to communicate your message effectively. Do you want to tackle that? Please contact me for a brainstorming session.
But is your brand rock solid? And are you ready for a powerful translation of this to a new website? Then read below how to set up a successful website for your non-profit organization.
Non-profits are very diverse and consist of associations and foundations, including charities and ANBI/NGOs. Every non-profit has its own objectives and target groups. As an association, you promote the common interests of your members, while as a foundation you usually pursue a general purpose or benefit. There are therefore certainly differences between non-profit organizations. And that also applies to non-profits that pursue the same goal.
And that's a good thing, because these differences allow you to distinguish your brand from your 'competitors'. Important, because even for a non-profit, your target group can only spend their money once. Whether you want to recruit members or donate to your charity, you are trying to win over your target group. And in this way you can achieve your main goal, your purpose, better and better. That is a good basis for the design of your new website.
In other words, how do you use your website to achieve your main goal?
Creating a platform to exchange knowledge and ideas Retaining your members, volunteers or donors and recruiting new ones Demonstrating your right to exist (added value) Raising funds Your objectives
In order to measure and optimize the success of your new website, it is smart to determine 'Key Performance Indicators' or KPIs. These are variables to analyze the performance of your website. Some examples of KPIs that you can use for your non-profit website:
Volume of organic search visitorsNumber of visitors who directly type your URL (a good check on your branding)Bounce ratio (visitors who immediately leave your website without interaction)Conversion of the number of visitors to submitted formsConversion of the number of visitors to your web applications (e.g. your online donation app)Click throughs from your newslettersNumber and quality of backlinks (links from other sites to yours)Social media traffic (visitors from social media)
Record all the KPIs you use so that you can measure your progress at a later date and whether you think you will achieve your objectives or whether you need to make adjustments. Do you think a sounding board would be useful in determining your KPIs? Then Bureau Berg is happy to help you. Please contact me if you are interested and we will discuss the possibilities!
"Bureau Berg always thinks along with the customer. The rate is affordable, which certainly makes it interesting for the non-profit sector to work with this agency. Very pleasant cooperation!"
L. Beekman
Former Chairman of the Communications Committee, DALAS
The next step is to translate your objectives and KPIs into content marketing for your new nonprofit website.
In content marketing you start by determining which topics are important for which (sub) target groups. After all, you want to add value. For example, current donors to your charity will want to be approached differently than potential donors.
So make an overview per target group of topics about which you could create content that appeals to your target group.
An important part of content marketing is keyword research. Here you investigate which keywords your target group uses in search engines when they search for a specific subject. For example, if you check 'Support charities', it appears that many more people search for the related 'ANBI tax authorities'. Maybe not something you had imagined in advance.
Such keyword research often gives you new ideas for content that is relevant to your target group.
No time for your content marketing? Please feel free to contact me! Bureau Berg is happy to help you.
Have you identified the topics for your content marketing and completed your keyword research?
Then the next step is to develop a functional design. This is immediately the briefing for the developers.
In this functional design you describe
To make the functional design easy to read for everyone, it is wise to sketch each page of your navigation structure in a visual 'wireframe'. Then all steps in your functionality are immediately clear.
If you find it difficult to write a functional design yourself or you don't have time, Bureau Berg is happy to help you. Please contact me if you are interested!
So, what is best for your commercial or nonprofit organisation? Using a Theme or a Template? And when?
And would you like to know more about how to set up a successful website for your nonprofit organization? Email or call me now!
With customization you determine exactly what your non-profit website will look like. The art director starts the design from a blank screen. The functionality is also tailor-made and you are completely free to choose the CMS. A custom website is the right solution if you want to optimally address the target group of your non-profit organization and the available budget and development time are sufficient.
The advantages of a custom website are:
If extensive functionality and custom design are not necessary or your budget is more limited, choose a theme or template. A theme is already fully prepared for a specific CMS: Find a suitable theme and you're done. Very cost-effective with a short 'time-to-market'. However, if you cannot find a theme that meets your wishes and requirements in terms of design and functionality, then look for a template. Such a template still needs to be integrated with a CMS and therefore costs more. The advantages of a theme and template are:
And would you like to know more about how to set up a successful website for your nonprofit organization? Email or call me now!
