An attractively designed website is a definite eye-catcher. For NGOs and development agencies, this is a potential game-changer. NGOs are huge users and beneficiaries of online interaction. For this reason, investing in a great website is a no-brainer. In this section, the blog advances some insights into building winning websites for NGOs.
Simple is Good Enough
For a great NGO website, the golden rule is the simpler the better. Keeping things simple and understandable is highly recommended. A few simplicity tips include sticking to the relevant content, easy to understand info graphs and the use of user-friendly fonts.
Simplicity wins every time. Website users are effortlessly turned off by fancy but irrelevant content. Popping advertisements and click baits can also be irritating. For an NGO, this could mean a loss of a potential volunteer or a big-time donor.
Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key. For various stakeholders who rely on the website for information and reports, a well-designed website is essential. The language of communication should be clear. If necessary, post the reports in different languages. Providing translation options is also a great way of reaching out to the online community.
Iterative Testing
A website should be frequently tested to ascertain its usability. Lack of testing may not reveal blind spots and design flaws. For NGOs, faulty or unhelpful websites may cast doubts on their operations and transparency.
Speed is Good
Slow-loading of web pages stretch user patience to intolerable limits. Excellent web designs make browsing faster and interactive. NGOs should make their website less ponderous to load to avoid wasting web visitors’ precious time and valuable support.
Authentic and Compelling Content
The content and stories on NGOs’ websites should not just be compelling but also authentic to the reader. The reader should be satisfied and yearning for more. Clear pictorials should also be used to support the narrations. A well-designed website makes all this possible.