Your nonprofit’s website is more than just an online brochure — it’s often the first interaction someone will have with your mission. Donors, volunteers, and supporters judge the professionalism and credibility of your organization in just a few seconds. That means every feature on your website matters.
Here are five essential website features every nonprofit should have to engage visitors, build trust, and inspire action.
Your mission is the heart of your organization. Visitors should immediately understand who you are, what you do, and why it matters. A confusing or buried mission statement can leave visitors unsure about your purpose.
Tip: Place your mission statement prominently on your homepage, ideally above the fold. Keep it concise, compelling, and written in language that resonates with your audience.
If your goal is to raise funds, your donation process should be simple, quick, and obvious. Don’t make donors hunt for ways to give, the more clicks it takes, the more likely they’ll abandon the process.
Tip: Use a bright, contrasting button at the top of your homepage and repeat it throughout your site. Consider options for recurring donations and multiple payment methods to make giving as easy as possible.
Nonprofits rely on supporters taking action beyond donating. Clear volunteer and event sign-up features make it easy for people to get involved and feel connected to your cause.
Tip: Include forms or links that allow visitors to sign up for newsletters, volunteer opportunities, or upcoming events. Highlighting this in a sidebar or on your homepage keeps engagement front and center.
Stories and testimonials humanize your nonprofit and show tangible results. Sharing the experiences of people you’ve helped or volunteers who’ve made a difference builds trust and inspires action.
Tip: Use photos and brief quotes to make stories relatable. Regularly updating these sections keeps your content fresh and encourages repeat visits.
Many visitors will come from their phones or tablets, so your site must be responsive and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. A site that doesn’t display properly on mobile or is difficult to navigate can cost you donations and volunteers.
Tip: Use a responsive theme, test on multiple devices, and follow accessibility best practices, like alt text for images and readable fonts.
A nonprofit website isn’t just about looking good, it’s about making it easy for visitors to understand your mission, engage, and take action. By including these five features, you’ll create a website that inspires trust, supports your goals, and encourages supporters to get involved.
If you’re unsure whether your nonprofit website has what it needs, that’s where I come in. I help nonprofits build websites that are not only visually appealing but also functional and donor-friendly. Schedule a free website review today and see how your site can start working harder for your mission.
