In life, like in business, first impressions are everything. For a nonprofit organization, your website is the first window into your operations. In today’s digital world, it is vital to have a complete online presence: a website and social media.
With SBC, when we vet organizations to be listed in our directory, a key requirement (see full list here) is for an organization to have a website and social media accounts.
Many overlook vital aspects of their website design: navigation and menu items. The content, look and feel are important but new visitors are likely to go through the menus in hopes of quickly finding what they are looking for.
Effective menu options are crucial to:
- Help organize the structure of your website
- Display your organization’s goals
- Assist the audience to easily navigate and accomplish their personal goals on your website
- Provide good user experience while exploring your site
Now let us explore briefly which 7 must –have menu items should be on every nonprofit website.
1 – Who Are We – About Us
Anyone looking to connect with your organization is interested in finding out about the overall goal and Leadership team running the organization. It is important for transparency and to provide insight to the culture of the organization.
This section will often include submenu pages about Brief History, Mission & Vision, your Impact, and Leadership Team (preferably with full names, pictures, titles or roles and short bio). Depending on the status and the size of the organization, information regarding Financial reports, Funders, Sponsors, Major Donors and Partners is sometimes beneficial.
2 – What We Do – Our Programs/Our Events
This is where your supporters and beneficiaries go to understand how you fulfill your mission and your vision.
This section serves to show the main activity of your organization and its track record. It should include submenu pages with full details on past, on-going or upcoming programs.
3 – Donate – Support Us
For obvious reasons, the Donate page needs to have its own menu item on the homepage to attract the attention of visitors and potential donors. It is the most important and most popular Call-to-Action used by organizations today.
The page should give the visitor a donor-friendly experience by driving them to take action while providing them with different convenient options to give. Be sure to provide details on how the funds will be spent on the organization’s main activities.
For trustworthiness and full transparency, it is general best practice to use a well-known donor management platform to process donations.
4 – How To Help – Get Involved
In terms of your organization’s goals, this section helps engage your audience to find out exactly what your current needs are. It serves as a call-to-action and speaks directly to your audience.
This section can include any submenu page with details on Volunteering, Fundraising, or any specific ways you wish your audience to support your mission.
5 – Blogs – Newsletter – News
Having a regular publication to update your supporters is key to keeping them informed and engaged with your organization’s main activities.
Blogs are also an excellent way of sharing your thoughts or expertise on any topic related to your organization’s main activities, programs, events or cause that you are working for.
6 – Contact Us
This is a crucial way to invite your audience to engage with you. It shows you are easily reachable, available to answer any questions or open to addressing any concerns. The method used to collect messages should be tested regularly to avoid any issues or interruption in communication as certain website tools, forms or plugins need to be updated.
On this page, it is advisable to also provide an email for convenience.
7 – Resources
To incite your audience to come back to your website, having resources related to your social impact or programs is a way to help the community you serve and expand your reach.
BONUS – Join Our Mailing List – Stay Updated
The opt-in/sign-up form is more often a section on your homepage and preferably in your footer where it is visible on every page.
It gives your audience a convenient way to stay regularly informed and up-to-date with main activities or news regarding your organization.
In conclusion, the importance of a nonprofit organization’s website must not be overlooked. Effective menu items are key. A combination of Primary or Secondary navigation menu items will help your audience with keywords to find what they want quickly and efficiently.
It is a great way to grab your visitors’ attention quickly and direct it to the most important areas of your website. Now, have a look at your website and see what improvements are needed.