How to Create a Nonprofit Website in 8 Steps

Today, over 95% of US adults use the internet. Hence, there’s no question about how a website can help an organization, even if it’s a nonprofit one, reach this audience.

However, the real question is how to create a nonprofit website, especially without technical knowledge. This article answers this question.

This content shows you how to build a nonprofit site in minutes and discusses relevant and essential factors to consider. Let’s give it a thorough read.  

Things to Consider While Creating Your Nonprofit Website

As you know, it’s wise to look before you leap. So, take into account all the factors outlined below before you start building your nonprofit website. You’ll end up creating a user-friendly, alluring, and professional nonprofit site if you follow these facts.

Follow These Steps to Create a Nonprofit Website

Here’s a rundown of all the steps you’ll encounter as you scroll down. 

[Note: You can create any website, including a nonprofit website, with Dorik in just 4 steps. However, to perfectly optimize and personalize your nonprofit website, follow all the steps we discuss here.]

These are all the steps associated with nonprofit website creation. Let’s now deeply learn about them.

Step 1 - Get a Domain and Connect It with a Hosting Provider

Our first step is to get a domain for your nonprofit website. For your information, it’s a unique address used to identify an online website. It’s a part of a website’s URL that comes after “www.” For example, www.dorik.com.

You need to be conscientious while selecting a domain name for your would-be website. It’s because it’s the first thing visitors notice after landing on your site. 

Hence, make a good impression by choosing an appropriate domain name. Here’s what to consider while selecting one.

You need to keep all these factors in mind and pick your perfect domain from a good-quality domain registrar.

Then, look for the best hosting provider to go online. Here are the primary concerns associated with selecting a suitable hosting provider. 

Finally, get the best hosting provider for your nonprofit website. You might have already noticed that you need to consider so many factors to choose an appropriate hosting provider, which is a hassle.

However, we won’t deal with it as we’ll choose the best website builder that has the best-quality hosting. Let’s now see which website builder offers such features and how to use it.

Step 2 - Pick the Best Website Builder for Nonprofit Organization

You can stumble upon many website builders while seeking the best one for your nonprofit organization. Indeed, you’ll find the majority of these builders inappropriate and may struggle to select a suitable website builder. 

To ease your path to choosing the right website builder, here’s what to take into account:

All these make a standard website builder excellent. We found that Dorik AI meets all the above criteria. It’s free and has a 14-day trial period for professional use.

So, we’ll build a nonprofit site using this website builder. Let’s get going.

Step 3 - Start Building Your Nonprofit Site

First, create an account on this platform if you don’t have one. Then, decide if you want to build a CMS or Static website. 

We’ll choose the CMS option as it offers full functionalities and allows us to build a nonprofit website with donation and membership options.

Create a Nonprofit Website with AI

1. Click on the CMS option first and then click the “+ Create New Site With AI” button.

2. Now, type your website name inside the website name field of the popup.

3. Afterward, write a well-structured prompt.

4. Then, select your preferred language for your nonprofit site.

5. Finally, hit the “Generate Your Website” button.

Wait for a while. Voila! You’ve just created your nonprofit website. See how easy it was to build a website.

Related Read: How to create a website with AI.

Let’s now look at the screenshot below to gauge how well it looks.

Here’s the prompt we used to create this site:
“We are a nonprofit organization that works to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. Now, create a user-friendly, visually appealing website for our nonprofit organization. The site should clearly communicate the organization's mission, encourage donations, and provide a seamless experience for members.”

Build a Nonprofit Website with a Template

It’s just another way of building your nonprofit site with Dorik. 

1. Choose the CMS option.

2. Then, hit the “+ Create New Site” button.

3. Now, type relevant keywords that match your organization, such as charity, into the search field.

4. Then, choose a template and click the “Create CMS Site” button.

Wait for a few seconds, and your site will be ready.

You can now customize the template according to your preferences. You can change some or all sections and containers using Dorik’s drag-and-drop editor. 

You can edit or generate images with the AI Image Generator. You can also write landing page copies using the AI Text Generator.

Dorik also enables you to build a site from scratch without using AI or any template. To enjoy this flexibility, you need to create a static website, though. 

Hence, this is how you can utilize this magnificent website builder to create your website.

Step 4 - Create Essential Pages

Once you create your website, you need to build some essential pages. While developing these pages, aim to answer these questions on each page through design and page content.

Homepage:

When creating your website homepage, ask yourself these questions:

Programs and Service Pages:

Privacy Policy:

Learn how to create a Privacy Policy page.

About Us:

Read our step-by-step guide to create an About Us page.

Support Us:

Contact Us:

Ask yourself the following before creating your Contact Us page:

Consider these questions and answer them while building the pages mentioned above.

Step 5 - Professionally Design Your Site and Include Appropriate Content

Although you’ve already built your website, you won’t have to pay much attention to the design if you create your nonprofit website with Dorik AI.

Nonetheless, if you choose another website builder, try to make the website easily accessible and simple to navigate. Ensure the site layout is logical and offers effortless flow. 

Find a balance between navigation, imagery, and text so that users aren’t overwhelmed while browsing your site. Write all page copies using skimmable font and color and include images to break up large paragraphs.

Also, follow the best practices for using white space and designing CTAs. Once you follow all these tips and build your site, start filling it in with relevant text, images, videos, infographics, and other content types.

Lastly, brainstorm about adding essential features or pages to your website. For instance, you can create a blog page to educate readers about your nonprofit organization’s mission and vision and build a lifelong community. 

Step 6 - Set up a Donation Button and a Newsletter Sign-up Form

As you know, donations can help you run your nonprofit organization. So, include a donation button, preferably on the homepage, to collect donations. If you use Dorik AI, you can easily add a payment button to the homepage. Here’s how. 

1. Go to the Dorik editor and then hover over a section featuring a container with more than one column (You can create a new section, though).

2. Click on the “+” icon.

3. You’ll see a popup now. Scroll a bit down to find the Payment Button element. Once you notice it, click on it.

4. Afterward, you’ll see a payment button editing panel where you can choose your payment service provider and edit the payment button text, color, size, alignment, and more.

5. After selecting a payment service provider and editing the payment button text, you need to follow a couple more steps to complete the integration of the payment button.

So, that’s how easily you can add a donate button on the homepage or any other page using Dorik AI.

Add a Newsletter Sign-up Form

Newsletters can help you stay connected with your audience and inform them of upcoming events, campaigns, or any other essential activities of your nonprofit organization. 

Therefore, your website needs to have a newsletter sign-up form. The form can be placed on any page, but we recommend placing it on the homepage above the footer section—it’s a standard practice.

And with Dorik AI, you can easily accomplish this job. Before showing you how to do it, reading how to make a newsletter will be beneficial. 

Let’s now see how to add a newsletter sign-up form in Dorik. 

1. Go to Dorik’s editor and scroll down to the footer section.

2. Hover your mouse pointer over the footer section, and you’ll see an “Add New Selection” button. Once you notice it, hit that button.

3. Choose a container with 100% width from the popup.

4. Click the “+” icon to add an element.

5. You’ll see a popup now. Scroll down to find a “Subscription Form” element. Once you see it, click on it.

6. The subscription form will be added to the homepage. You now need to customize and configure it using the subscription form editing panel. Here’s a detailed guide on how to add, customize, and configure a subscription form on Dorik.

Thus, that’s how you create a newsletter sign-up form using Dorik AI.

Step 7 - Optimize for SEO

The number one reason behind creating your nonprofit site is to reach as many people as you can globally. SEO can help you achieve this goal. Therefore, incorporate SEO strategies before and during building your website.

Seek keywords around your nonprofit’s mission and strategically implement them across your website. You can put them in landing page copies. 

You can include them in blog posts. If you plan to create user-generated content, cautiously write Alt texts for images and make all images SEO-optimized. 

Additionally, focus on your off-page SEO: build backlinks and include social media handles so visitors can share your site’s content. Lastly, embrace email marketing techniques to reach your targeted people. 

Simply put, learn SEO basics and apply what you learn on your nonprofit site.

Step 8 - Publish Your Nonprofit Website

After completing all the steps mentioned above, it’s time to publish your website with a custom domain. This guide on how to add a custom domain on Dorik will help you on this journey.

After you've connected your domain, you can preview, save, and publish your website.

Bonus: Explore Some Non Profit Website Examples for Inspiration

You can visit each website listed below and take inspiration from these sites. Finally, build your website while applying all your learnings.

1. Charity: Water

Charity: Water is a nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. 

What Draws Our Attention

The website features a clean, minimalist design with much white space, which helps visitors keep their focus on the content. Web designers use large and bold typography to emphasize key messages, which is praiseworthy.

This site offers an intuitive navigation system so users can effortlessly find information, donate, or get involved. Lastly, it uses striking, high-resolution images that effectively convey the organization’s work's impact.

2. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an international conservation nonprofit organization that works to eliminate the harmful effects of human activities on the environment.

What Draws Our Attention

The site features a clean and modern design and high-quality imagery. Stunning photographs of wildlife and nature immediately draw the visitor's attention.

The color scheme strongly aligns with environmental and conservation themes. Its navigation system is intuitive. All CTAs are cleverly placed, especially “Donate” and “Adopt,” which encourage users to take action.

3. UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, is a global organization that advocates for children's rights and well-being. 

What Draws Our Attention

Its website has a clean, user-friendly design that effectively conveys UNICEF’s mission. Thanks to its powerful visuals and impactful messaging, its homepage immediately captures visitors’ attention when they land on the website. 

The well-structured site has a perfect color scheme and clear navigation, allowing users to find information on specific topics easily. Lastly, all prominent CTAs are strategically placed throughout the website to help visitors participate in UNICEF’s mission.

4. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is a leading humanitarian group that provides emergency aid, disaster relief, and preparedness education to Americans.

What Draws Our Attention

The site uses powerful imagery and storytelling to connect with visitors emotionally. It makes navigation easy by prominently displaying the main sections in the header. 

This website also uses solid and clear calls to action, such as “Donate Now” and “Make An Appointment,” to engage visitors in the organization’s activities.  

5. Oxfam

Oxfam is a global confederation of 21 independent charitable organizations focusing on alleviating poverty and social injustice. 

What Draws Our Attention

This website prioritizes visual storytelling, which is why you get to see powerful images of individuals and communities impacted by poverty and climate change when you visit the site.

Alongside attention-grabbing CTAs, you’ll also notice how designers use color schemes to portray various aspects of this nonprofit organization. As such, the predominant use of green hints at Oxfam’s focus on sustainability and environmental justice.

How to Collect Donations Using Your Website

You can follow several ways to collect donations using your nonprofit website. Here are some of the effective ways to consider.

Donation Buttons: You can create one or more donation buttons and place them across your website to encourage visitors to make donations. 

Donation Forms: This is another common way to collect donations. You can create a form, place it on the homepage or another separate page, and let visitors make donations. 

Crowdfunding: Many people choose a crowdfunding platform from many popular ones to set up fundraising campaigns and accept donations online. You can do the same.

Sponsorships: You can provide sponsorship opportunities that enable businesses or individuals to make a larger donation in exchange for recognition.

What Are the Purpose and Goals of a Nonprofit Website?

A nonprofit website can have many purposes and goals. For example, you can use it to increase public awareness while informing them of your organization’s mission.

You can also run a nonprofit site to raise funds for the people and society who need it the most. You can use your website to recruit volunteers to help you with voluntary activities. 

A nonprofit website can help you educate and advocate for your targeted audience. It can help you promote your organization’s messages and mission to a broader audience. 

You can also use it to notify others about upcoming events, such as fundraisers, rallies, and awareness campaigns.

Does Your Non-profit Need a Website?

Indeed, your nonprofit organization or foundation needs a website. It can help you share your organization’s story, mission, and vision with people worldwide. It can help you collect donations and let you achieve your greater purpose. 

We have already discussed how a nonprofit website can benefit your organization and the loving community you want to help. 

How Many Pages Should a Nonprofit Website Have?

There’s no definite number. Sometimes, you only need to create five pages and other times, you may need to go beyond that. It clearly depends on your organization’s particular needs and goals. 

However, most nonprofit websites have a Homepage, an About Us page, a Privacy Policy page, a Contact Us page, and a Support Us page. 

How Much Money Do You Need to Build a Nonprofit Website?

It varies and depends on many factors. Usually, you need to spend anywhere from $500 to $10,000 or higher per year to create and maintain a nonprofit website. 

To help you gauge the cost better, we’ll discuss “How much does it cost to build a website?” According to GoDaddy, a small business website costs over $10,000 yearly. 

The cost of a nonprofit website can be higher. But we have exciting news: If you select Dorik AI to build your website, you can reduce this cost to $18 monthly! 

The Bottom Line

You’ll no longer think about how to create a nonprofit website from now on. We’ve shown you how to build your desired website in minutes using our excellent website builder.

We encourage you to explore it, create a few free CMS and Static sites, read documentation, and then build a professional nonprofit website on this platform. 

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team if you face any issues on your journey to website creation using Dorik AI. Our best wishes are with you!

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