Best Practices to Help Improve Non-Profit Website Usability

Published: March 16, 2023
When it comes to running a successful non-profit organization, having a non-profit website that is user-friendly and easy to navigate is essential. Research has shown that a well-designed and easy-to-use website can help increase donations, raise awareness of the non-profit’s mission, and even attract volunteers.

To ensure that your non-profit’s website is as effective as possible, it is important to adhere to the best practices for non-profit website usability:

Optimize for Mobile

First, it is vital to optimize the website for mobile use. Mobile devices have become increasingly popular, and many websites are now accessed through mobile devices. As such, ensuring the website is optimized for mobile use is important. This includes ensuring the website is responsive and easy to navigate and view on a mobile device. You should also ensure that all features, such as donation forms, are accessible on a mobile device.

Invest in a CMS for Your Non-Profit

One of the most critical best practices for non-profit website usability is to invest in a non-profit content management system (CMS).

A non-profit CMS software platform lets you easily create, manage, and maintain your website. It simplifies the website development process and makes it easier for your team to update content quickly without needing any coding knowledge.

The right CMS will also provide you with a range of features that make your website more user-friendly, such as customizable templates and drag-and-drop page builders.

Ensure Your Navigation Is Intuitive

You must keep the navigation simple. Too many options can be overwhelming, so limiting the number of main navigation items is best. Stick to the essentials, such as “About Us,” “Programs,” “Contact Us,” etc.

You should also choose a logical order for your navigation items. Most users expect the navigation to be organized in an “F-Pattern,” meaning that the most important items are at the top, followed by items in descending order of importance. This allows users to quickly find the information they need without having to search through many different options.

Try to avoid using overly-complicated labels for your navigation items. Keep the labels concise and descriptive – this will help users quickly identify the purpose of each page. Additionally, it’s crucial to use consistent navigation labels throughout your website. This will help users quickly recognize the navigation items, even when they’re on different pages of your website.

Make Sure Page Load Time Is Fast

If a web page takes too long to load, visitors may get frustrated and leave the site before they even see what the organization offers.

To ensure that pages load quickly, it is essential to have an efficient website hosting service. Hosting services should offer fast loading speeds and access to the latest technology.

Another factor that must be considered is the size of the images used on the website. Images should be properly compressed and sized to the correct resolution so they do not take too long to load. Additionally, using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) can help reduce the time it takes for images to be loaded from remote servers.

Finally, limiting the number of plug-ins and scripts used on the website is important. Too many plug-ins and scripts can slow page load time and make the website less user-friendly. It is best only to use the necessary plug-ins and scripts for the website’s functions.

Be on Top of Security

Security is of paramount importance when it comes to website usability. Cybersecurity threats can devastate non-profits, so organizations must take proactive measures to protect their websites. This includes using strong passwords, installing security patches, and regularly monitoring the website for vulnerabilities.

Additionally, non-profits should consider using an SSL certificate to encrypt their data and protect their users’ information.

Conclusion

Some of the best practices for non-profit website usability include creating a website optimized for mobile use, secure, user-friendly, and speedy. It’s also essential to have a non-profit CMS. By keeping this in mind, a non-profit website can deliver the results you want for your organization.

Mighty NPO offers website services for non-profits. We ensure that your website is optimized and responsive. With Mighty NPO, you won’t have to worry about learning any codes or familiarizing yourself with any tools because we take care of everything for you. Contact us today and tell us what you want for your non-profit website!