Most charity leaders understand the need for a digital presence. In fact, The 2023 Charity Digital Skills report revealed that 8 out of 10 (79%) charities saw improving their website, digital presence or social media as the greatest priority for the upcoming year. But, do you know what your website should do, what it should look like and how it should function? I know a thing or two about designing and building successful websites. So, what should you be looking for? Here are 4 things to consider:
Useability
The aforementioned report also revealed that almost two in five (39%) charities are finding their website challenging. In fact, one of the main reasons clients approached me for a new website in 2024 was due to how difficult their existing site was to manage in-house. So, think about how you can maintain your website, and who will be doing it. Once you take the reins, you’ll need to be sure of a stress-free experience, with minimal training. Wix and Squarespace are trusted website builders with a reputation for being intuitive.
Mobile optimisation
64.95% of the world’s website traffic is mobile. Well over half! So you really ought to have (at least) 2 versions of your website so that mobile-users can have a specific experience. You’ll be familiar with the frustration of navigating to a website on your phone and having to scroll left and right, up and down, in search of the content you need. Users can get frustrated and may well give up. Mobile optimisation ensures that all users, regardless of the device they're operating, will have a positive experience.
Great design
Did you know, first impressions from users are 94% design-related and it takes 0.5 seconds for a user to form an opinion about your website’s design? What does that mean? Design matters, and users will often make up their mind about you very quickly. It’s important to make your website visually appealing and engaging to capture a user’s attention and convey trust, credibility and relevance. A great layout, colours, typography, photography and other design features can provide you with an opportunity to shape your user’s perception of your organisation.
Accessibility
Almost all (96.3%) homepages have WCAG failures (WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and is the gold standard for inclusive design). That means that people with disabilities are frequently finding it difficult to access and use websites effectively. Make accessibility a priority and ensure that your website promotes inclusivity and provides equal access to your content. Simple things like clear navigation and good colour contrast will improve the user experience for everyone, including those with disabilities.
Is your website easy to update, mobile optimised, beautifully designed and accessible to all? If not, then perhaps I can help. Get in touch with me (Lorelle 👋) at hello@greatgoodcreative.co.uk or check out the testimonials on my homepage to find out what you can expect from working together.