Avoiding and correcting nonprofit web design problems for better results

January 15, 2015

Avoiding and correcting nonprofit web design problems for better results

When a nonprofit group has organized an engaging outreach campaign that catches the attention of donors, the last thing that staff members want to have happen is technical issues. A great piece of nonprofit marketing content or appeal on social media should end with a successful donation, not a frustrated contributor who decides to take their gift somewhere else. The inability of an organization to bring in funds also has a functional impact on operations, creating doubt in an area that, for many nonprofits, is a major source of operational income.

The good news for nonprofits is vigilance and proactive decision-making will help organizations avoid chronic problems with donation forms and other parts of a website. Here's some advice that can help nonprofits move past this especially frustrating issue:

Test, test, test: Testing a website is obviously important for making sure there aren't any issues with the code itself, or with specific browsers or platform. With the rise of mobile devices, the number of ways a website is interpreted and displayed by various Web browsers has grown significantly. Whenever a nonprofit adds new functionality – such as a link to the donation form and a new seasonal campaign page – all the relevant components of a website should be tested. Making sure the link isn't causing problems for donors visiting the site on a tablet or smartphone can mean the difference between receiving donations and being left behind as the potential contributor moves on to another organization or something else entirely. A quick test done by staff members on their own mobile devices and workstations can help diagnose problems without taking up too much time. The key is to test on many different browsers and devices to find any potential issues.
Make it as easy as possible to report problems: Although regular testing will help eliminate the majority of problems with a nonprofit website, there will always be concerns or functionality issues that spring up. Nonprofits should have an easily accessible pathway to report such problems. While not all visitors or potential contributors will notify staff members, having a link and a line of text at the bottom of each page can make a big difference. Staff have to do their part and respond quickly to such messages as well as take the needed steps to fix problems and thank the person who pointed out the problem.

Content presented by First Nonprofit Group, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.

Testimonials

We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!

CROSSPURPOSE, Denver, CO

Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.

Prevent Blindness America, Chicago, IL

Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.

Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Chicago, IL

It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.

Thresholds, Chicago, IL

NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.

New York Council of Nonprofits, Albany, NY

Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.

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Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ

First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.