Why Your Non-Profit Needs a Free Custom Website

Even if your ideal donor or volunteer isn’t chronically online, having a nonprofit website will help your mission. Recent statistics show that online revenue for nonprofits increased by 60% from 2017 to 2021, which shows how critical a website is to a charity organization’s success.

Below, we’ll discuss the importance of building a nonprofit website and teach you to get one for free!

The Importance of Building a Website for Your Nonprofit

An optimized website can be a powerful tool for a growing nonprofit. Here’s why:

Boosts Visibility & Awareness

Websites help nonprofits gain visibility and awareness, the two primary components of building a strong following. A well-designed website will help you reach your target audience and inform the general public about the causes it supports.

Having a nonprofit website will also make promoting events and campaigns easier. You can create different event pages on your site, allowing users to learn more about your organization’s upcoming activities.

Builds Credibility & Trust

Websites build credibility and trust. Most charitable organizations use their websites to share success stories and financial reports, making them seem more trustworthy to donors and volunteers.

Creates Online Fundraising Opportunities

Building a website will also open your organization’s doors to online fundraising. There are hosting platforms that allow you to include features such as donation buttons to your website, which will make it easier for potential donors to contribute anytime they want.

According to DoubletheDonation.com, 63% of donors prefer to make donations online, meaning your nonprofit organization is likely missing out on hundreds of contributions.

Helps Build Lasting Connections

Building lasting connections with your supporters is vital to your nonprofit’s success. It’s the key to keeping them engaged and interested in your mission. A website will allow you to communicate with them by providing a platform to express gratitude to your donors and volunteers.

Makes Volunteer Recruitment Easy

Once you’ve created a website for your nonprofit, recruiting volunteers will be easier. You can set up a sign-up page on your site where interested users can submit their information and volunteer a couple of hours of their day.

Given these advantages, investing in a well-designed and optimized website for your nonprofit is a no-brainer. But how much do they cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Create a Website for a Nonprofit?

The cost of a nonprofit website varies depending on the complexity of its design, features, and overall functionality.

Currently, the cost of a basic website with a templated design ranges from $700 to $1200. This option offers limited customization. In contrast, sites with custom functionalities like online donations, volunteer sign-ups, and event calendars will cost around $5000 to $20,000.

Customization is important for nonprofits since it’s rare for two organizations to have the same goals. However, since creating custom websites is expensive, most charities use free website hosting platforms.

What is a Free Web Hosting Platform?

A free web hosting platform is an internet service that allows individuals or organizations to publish a website online free of charge. These platforms typically offer the basic facilities needed to create a website, such as storage, bandwidth, and pre-design templates.

Some website hosting platforms also provide additional tools, like drag-and-drop builders and SEO optimization, making it easier for those with little technical expertise to build and launch an optimized website.

These platforms help nonprofits build and maintain a digital presence for free. Unfortunately, they have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Using Free Website Hosting Platforms for Nonprofits

• Cost-effective: The primary advantage of using free website hosting platforms for nonprofits is cost-effectiveness. With these service providers, you no longer have to worry about stretching your limited budget to build your nonprofit’s website.
• Easy-to-Use: Most website hosting platforms for nonprofits have user-friendly interfaces ideal for beginners. Many of them have simple dashboards, drag-and-drop builders, and pre-designed templates. More importantly, they can easily be integrated with some of the market’s most popular content management systems (CMS).
• Ideal for Learning: Free web hosting platforms are a great starting point for learning if you’re new to website creation. These sites will teach you the basics of running a website and allow you to get hands-on experience, which can be invaluable when creating a custom site.
• Builds Online Presence: If your primary goal in building a free nonprofit website is to showcase your organization’s mission to the general public, then free web hosting is the perfect solution. Despite its limited features, these platforms will help your nonprofit build an online presence.

Disadvantages of Using Free Website Hosting Platforms for Nonprofits

• Limited Bandwidth & Storage: The biggest disadvantage of free website hosting is limited bandwidth and storage. Bandwidth determines how fast your website will load, while storage determines how many photos or videos you can upload. With limited bandwidth and storage, your site’s pages will take longer to load and your visitor’s user experience will be negatively impacted.
• No Main Domain: Another disadvantage of free website hosting is its lack of a main domain. Most providers only allow their users to have a subdomain, which means your website’s link will likely include the web host’s name.
• Limited Technical Support: Not all free website hosting providers offer technical support, meaning you won’t be able to ask for help if something goes wrong on your nonprofit’s website.

Build Your Nonprofit A Free Website Today!

Given the limitations that come with using free website hosting platforms, what other options can your nonprofit explore? Look no further than Inc. Authority!

Inc. Authority offers custom-built websites to nonprofits nationwide free of charge. Our web services come with domain registration and a custom build-out called Web Creator Plus. You’ll also get five separate email addresses you can use for different functions and purposes.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with potential donors and volunteers. Contact Inc. Authority and let us assist you in building your dream website.

To learn more, visit our website here!