Running a charity is a noble deed, but it comes with many challenges. One major challenge is keeping your website up-to-date. Your website is essential for keeping in touch with potential donors, volunteers, and partners. Therefore, it should be visually appealing, informative, and user-friendly. If your website is outdated, it can have a negative impact on your charity’s ability to attract donations and volunteers. So, when is the right time to upgrade your charity website? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the signs you need to look out for and the benefits of updating your website.
A High Bounce Rate
If your website’s bounce rate is high, it may be time to update your website. Bounce rate refers to the number of visitors who leave your website after visiting only one page. If this rate is high, it means that visitors do not find your website appealing or engaging. One of the main reasons for a high bounce rate is when your website looks outdated or unprofessional. Therefore, upgrading your website’s design can make a significant impact on reducing your bounce rate.
Your Website is Not Mobile-Friendly
In today’s digital age, a significant number of internet users browse the internet on their mobile devices. Therefore, having a mobile-responsive website is a necessity. If your website is not mobile-friendly, it may frustrate your mobile users, leading to reduced engagement. Upgrading your website to make it mobile-friendly will improve accessibility for all users, increase engagement, and enhance your charity’s online image.
Outdated Content
If your website has not been updated for a long time, it may contain outdated content. This can negatively impact your charity’s reputation and discredit your organization’s efforts. Updating your website’s content is crucial to keep it relevant and informative. You can add images, videos, testimonials, and call-to-action messages to make your website more engaging.
Poor Search Engine Ranking
To attract potential donors, volunteers, and partners, your website should rank high on search engine results pages (SERP). One way of achieving this is by having a search engine optimized (SEO) website. SEO involves various techniques such as using relevant keywords, meta tags, and building backlinks. A website redesign can help incorporate these SEO techniques and improve your search engine ranking, resulting in more traffic and engagement.
Strategic Changes in the Charity’s Mission and Goals
If your charity’s goals or mission has undergone significant changes, your website needs to reflect these changes. If your website does not reflect your current mission or goals, visitors may think your organisation is not transparent or stagnant. Updating your website can help communicate your charity’s progress, new initiatives, and goals effectively.
Your charity website is a crucial component of your online presence and should reflect your charity’s goals and objectives. If you notice the signs mentioned above, it might be time to upgrade your website. By doing so, you can create a better user experience for your visitors, increase engagement, boost online donations, and enhance your charity’s reputation. Remember, investing in a website upgrade is an investment in your charity’s growth and sustainability.
So You’ve Decided to Upgrade, What’s Next?
Congratulations on making the decision to upgrade your charity website! Now it’s time to take the next steps to ensure a successful website transformation. Here’s what you can do:
- Define Your Goals: Clearly identify the objectives you want to achieve with your upgraded website. Are you looking to improve user experience, increase online donations, or enhance your organisation’s visibility? Having specific goals will guide your decision-making process and help you prioritise the necessary changes.
- Evaluate Your Current Website: Take a close look at your existing website and assess its strengths and weaknesses. Identify areas that need improvement and determine which features and functionalities are essential for your upgraded website.
- Research and Plan: Explore other charity websites and gather ideas for inspiration. Consider the latest design trends, user-friendly layouts, and innovative features that align with your organisation’s needs and goals. Develop a clear plan outlining the changes and improvements you want to implement.
- Engage Professional Support: Collaborating with a professional web development agency or consultant can streamline the upgrade process and ensure optimal results. Their expertise and experience can help you navigate the technical aspects, design considerations, and overall strategy for your new website.
Book a Free Strategy Session with Bel
Excited to discuss the possibilities for your new website? You can book a free strategy session with Bel, our experienced web development consultant. During this session, Bel will guide you through the process, understand your specific requirements, and provide valuable insights into what your new website might look like. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to kickstart your website upgrade journey and create a powerful online presence for your charity.
To book your free strategy session with Bel, simply click here and fill out the form. We look forward to helping you elevate your charity’s online presence!