The way to Create a Nonprofit Web site in WordPress (Step by Step)

In 2017, we constructed our non-profit group, the Balkhi Basis to assist school training extra attainable for proficient younger folks. We rapidly realized how necessary having the fitting web site was for our mission.

Like many nonprofit organizations, we had to determine easy methods to create an enticing web site that might join with donors and serve our neighborhood.

Through the years, we’ve helped dozens of nonprofits construct their WordPress web sites from scratch. We’ve discovered what works (and what doesn’t) with regards to making a nonprofit web site that drives donations, attracts volunteers, and shares your story successfully.

That’s why we’ve put collectively this step-by-step information that can assist you create a nonprofit web site with WordPress. And one of the best half? You are able to do all of it with out hiring an costly internet developer.

Why Create a Nonprofit Web site?

As a nonprofit, you’re all about making a distinction. You want to unfold the phrase, increase funds, and recruit enthusiastic volunteers.

However how do you try this successfully? The reply: a robust, partaking web site!

A nonprofit web site may also help you join with folks across the globe, and lift consciousness on a world scale.

Nonetheless, the considered creating an internet site can sound daunting, particularly if you happen to’ve by no means finished something prefer it earlier than.

We get it. At WPBeginner, we’ve helped numerous nonprofits and even arrange our personal nonprofit web site for the Balkhi Basis.

By our experiences with the Balkhi Basis, we’ve discovered firsthand that making a profitable not-for-profit web site doesn’t should take a ton of time, effort, and cash.

We’ll present you easy methods to construct a compelling, charitable web site that’s:

• Simple to Study: No tech abilities required! We’ll break down each step into easy, actionable directions.
• A Breeze to Set Up: We’ll deal with instruments which can be fast to put in and handle so you will get your web site up and operating very quickly.
• Funds-Pleasant: We’ll share ideas and tips to attenuate prices, together with unique reductions, so you can also make these donations go additional. 
• Basically Self-Sustaining: We’ll information you towards platforms which can be user-friendly and require minimal repairs.

That stated, let’s see how one can create a nonprofit web site in WordPress! You should utilize the short hyperlinks beneath to navigate via this tutorial:

Step 1: Select Your Web site Builder

Wish to construct a robust web site on your nonprofit with out utilizing an excessive amount of of your funding?

We get it, and that’s why we suggest WordPress. 

There are lots of web site builders, however WordPress stands out for nonprofits searching for a user-friendly, dependable, and budget-friendly resolution.

Firstly, WordPress is open supply, so it’s free to obtain and use. By eradicating pointless bills on this manner, you’ll be able to dedicate extra assets to your mission – and never web site prices.

However simply because WordPress is free doesn’t imply it’s fundamental. It has all of the instruments your nonprofit wants.

WordPress additionally allows you to set up add-ons known as plugins. These are items of software program that add further performance to WordPress, and yow will discover over 59,000 within the WordPress.org repository alone.

This consists of many plugins designed particularly for nonprofits, like WP Charitable. 

Even higher, you’ll be able to obtain and use all of the WordPress.org plugins without spending a dime.

There are additionally numerous WordPress themes designed particularly for charitable organizations. As soon as once more, lots of them are free.

Nevertheless it isn’t nearly saving cash. Based on our analysis statistics, WordPress is the preferred web site platform on the earth and powers almost 43% of all web sites.

This implies while you select WordPress, you be part of hundreds of thousands of different profitable web sites, together with many well-known nonprofits. You’ll get a trusted platform that’s good on your group.

That stated, there are two varieties of WordPress software program, so it’s necessary to choose the fitting one.

First up is WordPress.com, which is a hosted web site builder. With WordPress.com, you don’t want to search out your individual internet hosting plan and set up the software program your self. As a substitute, you’ll be able to select a free plan or purchase one of many accessible paid plans, and Automattic will host your web site for you.

Then there’s WordPress.org, which is also called self-hosted WordPress. We suggest utilizing WordPress.org on your charitable web site as a result of, not like WordPress.com, it allows you to set up third-party plugins, together with plugins particularly designed for nonprofits. 

For a deeper dive into why we persistently suggest WordPress, please see our full WordPress assessment or our knowledgeable comparability of WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.

✋ Already created a web site on WordPress.com? Don’t panic! We now have a step-by-step information on easy methods to transfer your web site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Nonprofit Web site

When you’ve chosen your web site builder, you’ll want a area title and webhosting.

Consider a site title as your nonprofit’s on-line tackle. That is what supporters will sort into their browsers to achieve your web site, reminiscent of redcross.org or unicef.org.

Webhosting is the place your web site lives on-line. That will help you out, we’ve hand-picked among the finest WordPress internet hosting which you could purchase on your new web site. 

Though the WordPress software program is free, internet hosting and domains are the place the prices can actually begin to add up. 

A website title sometimes prices $14.99/yr, and internet hosting prices begin from $7.99/month. It is a lot, particularly because it’s straight taking funds away out of your campaigns and actions. 

Fortunately, Bluehost has agreed to supply WPBeginner readers an enormous low cost on webhosting, plus a free area and SSL certificates (for improved safety).

You will have an SSL certificates to gather donations in WordPress utilizing third-party providers like Stripe, so that is necessary. 

Simply click on the button beneath to get began for as little as $1.99 per 30 days. 

Alternatively, you’ll be able to straight go to the Bluehost web site.

Then, click on the inexperienced ‘Get Began Now’ button.

This takes you to the pricing web page, the place you’ll be able to select a internet hosting plan on your web site.

We suggest choosing both the ‘Primary’ or ‘Alternative Plus’ plan as a result of they’ve every part it is advisable to create a profitable fundraising web site. 

After selecting a plan, go forward and click on ‘Proceed.’

Subsequent, it’s time to decide on a site title on your nonprofit web site.

A robust area title is important for establishing your group’s on-line presence and serving to supporters discover your web site. So, it’s nicely value taking the time to decide on the proper area title. 

Sometimes, it is smart to make use of your nonprofit’s title, but when your most popular area isn’t accessible then you’ll be able to attempt including related particulars.

For instance, you may add your sector (“animalrescue”) or location (“UK”) to the tip.

Wherever potential, we suggest selecting a .org area title as a result of it’s universally acknowledged as the usual for nonprofits. This immediately establishes credibility and belief together with your viewers and makes you stand out from industrial web sites.

👋 Need assistance selecting a site title on your charitable web site? Simply try our information on how to decide on one of the best area title.

After you select a .org area title, go forward and click on the ‘Subsequent’ button.

Bluehost will now ask on your account data, reminiscent of your title and electronic mail tackle. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to purchase some non-obligatory extras.

Sometimes, we don’t suggest shopping for these extras straight away if you happen to’re attempting to maintain prices down. Plus, you’ll be able to all the time purchase the extras later in case your charity wants them.

As soon as that’s finished, merely sort in your cost data to finish the acquisition.

After a number of moments, you’ll get an electronic mail with directions on easy methods to log in to your webhosting management panel. That is the dashboard the place you’ll be able to handle your nonprofit web site, together with organising electronic mail notifications and asking for WordPress help.

Step 3. Set up WordPress on Your Internet Internet hosting

If you enroll utilizing our Bluehost hyperlink, they are going to set up WordPress in your area title routinely.

Give it a couple of minutes to load, then click on the ‘Edit web site’ button, which can take you to arrange your new web site.

At this level, a window will seem asking if you wish to migrate a WordPress web site or begin a brand new setup.

Because you’re creating a brand new nonprofit web site, click on the ‘Begin Setup’ button.

The setup wizard will now ask for some fundamental data, reminiscent of the kind of web site, weblog, or on-line market you’re constructing.

Select the class that most closely fits your nonprofit web site after which click on ‘Proceed Setup.’

When you’ve gone via the complete Bluehost WordPress setup wizard, click on on ‘Full Setup.’

Bluehost will now take you to the WordPress admin space.

You may also log in to the WordPress dashboard by heading to yoursite.com/wp-admin/ straight in your internet browser.

In case you’re utilizing a distinct WordPress web site host reminiscent of SiteGround, Hostinger, or HostGator, then you’ll be able to see our full information on easy methods to set up WordPress for all the highest internet hosting suppliers.

You’re now prepared to begin constructing a profitable nonprofit web site. 

Step 4: Choose a WordPress Theme

As soon as your WordPress web site is up and operating, the subsequent step is making it look skilled and welcoming. That’s the place WordPress themes are available in.

WordPress themes are professionally designed templates that management how your nonprofit web site seems to be and acts.

By default, every WordPress web site comes with a fundamental theme. In case you go to your new web site, then you definitely’ll see one thing like this:

It is a generic WordPress theme with restricted options, so that you’ll want to switch it. 

When designing your nonprofit web site, it’s necessary to search for a theme that’s optimized for efficiency and engines like google. It will assist extra donors and volunteers discover your web site on platforms like Google.

Many nonprofits additionally depend on visuals to inform their tales and make an emotional reference to their viewers. So, it’s good to go for a theme that showcases images and movies successfully.

Suppose full-screen video backgrounds, picture galleries, and fascinating layouts.

With that in thoughts, it is smart to search for a theme that’s designed particularly for nonprofits. That will help you out, we’ve collected the finest WordPress themes for nonprofits. 

An alternative choice is utilizing an internet site and touchdown web page builder plugin like SeedProd.

SeedProd is a well-liked drag-and-drop WordPress web page builder that we’ve used to design lots of our companion web sites. For extra data, try our detailed SeedProd assessment.

SeedProd helps you design lovely touchdown pages, dwelling pages, and even complete web sites. It additionally comes with some built-in templates that have been particularly designed for nonprofit organizations.

These templates have ready-made sections the place you’ll be able to showcase your varied initiatives and fundraising targets.

This manner, you’ll be able to preserve supporters knowledgeable and encourage them to contribute to your campaigns. 

It even has an AI builder that creates a whole customized theme for you in lower than 60 seconds. For particulars, see our information on easy methods to make a WordPress web site with AI.

When you’ve chosen a WordPress theme, putting in it’s a breeze. Simply see our step-by-step information on easy methods to set up a WordPress theme.

After that, you’ll be able to customise the theme by going to Look » Customise within the WordPress dashboard. It will launch the theme customizer, the place you’ll be able to fine-tune the theme settings and see your modifications within the stay preview.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re utilizing one of many newer full-site enhancing themes, then you definitely’ll have to go to Look » Editor as an alternative.

This launches the complete web site editor, the place you’ll be able to add, take away, and edit the blocks in your WordPress theme, much like the way you construct pages and posts within the content material editor.

One of the best half? You possibly can all the time tweak your theme and even change your WordPress theme later. So, don’t fear about getting locked into your web site’s unique design. 

Step 5: Create a Customized Dwelling Web page

WordPress has two two default content material varieties known as posts and pages.

You’ll sometimes use posts to create articles and blogs. For instance, you may share updates in your campaigns, announce occasions, or promote petitions.

On this manner, you’ll be able to construct a stronger relationship together with your supporters, enhance your WordPress search engine optimization, and get extra site visitors to your nonprofit web site. 

By default, the homepage exhibits these posts in reverse chronological order, so the most recent content material seems on the prime of the record until you re-order your posts in WordPress.

Even if you happen to plan to construct a weblog, you sometimes gained’t present these posts in your homepage. To make a stronger first impression, we suggest making a customized homepage that introduces your group to new guests as an alternative. 

☝ Wish to discover ways to create a compelling homepage that successfully communicates your nonprofit’s mission? Then try our information on easy methods to create a customized dwelling web page in WordPress.

When you’ve designed your homepage, it’s time to set it as your entrance web page. Head over to Settings » Studying within the WordPress dashboard.

Right here, scroll to ‘Your homepage settings’ and choose ‘A static web page.’

Subsequent, open the ‘Homepage’ dropdown and choose the web page you created earlier than.

Lastly, scroll to the underside of the display and click on on ‘Save Modifications.’ Now, if you happen to go to your nonprofit web site, you’ll see the brand new dwelling web page in motion.

Don’t fear, your weblog posts gained’t disappear! You simply have to create a separate weblog web page to show your posts.

Step 6. Add Extra Pages

Until you’re making a one-page web site, you’ll want so as to add some extra pages. This offers you extra space to speak about your group’s mission, its influence, and the unimaginable work you do.

To start out, it’s a good suggestion to brainstorm all of the completely different pages you’ll want. For instance, you may need to make the next pages:

• An ‘About Us’ web page so guests can study extra about your nonprofit
• A workers listing
• A web page for achievement tales and testimonials
• A web page together with your fundraising targets and a progress tracker

To create a brand new web page in WordPress, merely go to Pages » Add New Web page.

This opens the WordPress content material editor, the place you’ll be able to add a title, sort in physique textual content, add a featured picture, add classes and tags, and extra. 

When you’re completely satisfied together with your web page, simply hit the ‘Publish’ button to share it with the world.

Merely repeat these steps so as to add extra pages to your nonprofit web site. 

💡 Need extra artistic management over your web page layouts and designs? Then, you’ll want to try our helpful information on easy methods to create customized pages in WordPress. It’s filled with ideas and tips to make every web page actually distinctive and fascinating.

Step 7. Add a Contact Us Kind

Just about each web site wants a contact type, and your nonprofit web site is not any exception. 

A contact type offers a easy manner for potential volunteers, sponsors, media contacts, and different supporters to attach together with your group.

Give it some thought: a journalist trying to characteristic your charity, a possible donor with questions, and even somebody looking for your help – all of them want a simple solution to attain out.

Whereas telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses are additionally nice choices, a contact type is way much less intimidating and extra handy – particularly for these searching for assist.

The best solution to add a contact type to your WordPress web site is through the use of the WPForms plugin.

This plugin comes with a built-in ‘Easy Contact Kind’ template which you could rapidly customise utilizing the WPForms drag-and-drop editor.

Then, merely add the shape to any web page, submit, or widget-ready space utilizing the ready-made WPForms block.

We use WPForms to energy all our kinds throughout WPBeginner, together with our contact type, so we’re assured it’s an incredible match for any nonprofit web site. The plugin even presents a 75% low cost for nonprofit organizations.

To study extra about this common contact type plugin, try our detailed WPForms assessment. 

Skilled Tip: If you wish to present a selected type only for potential volunteers, then please see our information on easy methods to simply make a volunteer utility type in WordPress.

Step 8. Settle for Donations On-line 

Most nonprofits depend on donations from type supporters. 

The correct plugin can remodel your web site right into a 24/7 fundraising machine, accepting donations anytime, anyplace – it’s the final word resolution for busy nonprofits!

Nevertheless it’s necessary to decide on the fitting instrument. You want a dependable and safe plugin that’s additionally mobile-friendly so folks can donate from any gadget. It must also help your most popular cost gateway and settle for recurring donations so supporters can pledge ongoing help.

On prime of all that, it ought to cost the least quantity of charges so you retain extra of every donation and put it towards your trigger. 

With that stated, let’s take a look at 3 choices so you’ll be able to select the answer that’s one of the best match on your nonprofit web site:

Choice 1: A Devoted Donation Plugin

Desire a fully-featured donation platform that permits you to create limitless campaigns, and handle all of your fundraising actions from the identical dashboard?

In that case, we suggest WP Charitable. It checks each requirement on this record and extra.

You possibly can choose a set donation quantity, add a customized quantity, or each – so you could have a lot of flexibility. 

You may also set targets for every marketing campaign, so it routinely closes when they’re reached. Or you can also make your campaigns open-ended. It’s fully as much as you!

Plus, you’ll be able to show the donation type anyplace in your web site utilizing the WP Charitable block.

Have a number of fundraising campaigns? Then, you’ll be able to show them in a pleasant grid structure. 

There’s a free model of Charitable that you need to use to just accept donations through Stripe and PayPal.

Nonetheless, we suggest WP Charitable Professional as a result of it features a ton of options particularly made for nonprofits. These embrace recurring donations, donor charge aid, annual receipts, and publication signup kinds.

Take a look at our detailed WP Charitable assessment to study extra.

Choice 2: An Simple Kind Builder

Don’t need to arrange a devoted donation plugin? You may also create a donation type utilizing the very same plugin you used on your contact type: WPForms.

This plugin even comes with over 30 donation and fundraising templates, so you’ll be able to add a donation type to your web site in seconds. 

WPForms doesn’t have all of the superior options you get from a plugin like WP Charitable, however it’s a fast and simple possibility if you happen to simply need to accumulate one-time donations with out complicated marketing campaign administration.

In any case, why pay for options you gained’t use? That’s extra cash you could possibly be placing in the direction of supporting your good trigger!

Choice 3: A Donation Button

Searching for an easier possibility? Then you’ll be able to add a PayPal donate button to WordPress, or add a Stripe donation button to your nonprofit web site. 

These cost strategies are well known and trusted, in order that they immediately make your web site appear extra credible. 

These buttons are additionally very simple to arrange and use, so they might be an excellent possibility if you happen to’re simply getting began and need to experiment with simple donation strategies earlier than shifting to one thing extra superior like WP Charitable or WPForms.

This feature can be an excellent match for smaller nonprofits, or anybody who doesn’t have earlier technical information. It’s all about making issues easy, so you’ll be able to return to what actually issues: getting on the market and making a distinction!

Step 9: Create an Occasions Calendar

Do you often set up occasions? 

Whether or not they’re staff conferences, volunteer gatherings, or fundraising galas, a calendar plugin could be a worthwhile addition to your web site. The correct calendar plugin will allow you to present these occasions in an organized and fascinating manner, offering guests with all of the important particulars at a look.

We suggest Sugar Calendar as a result of it has every part it is advisable to create limitless calendars and occasions. You possibly can even increase funds by promoting tickets to your occasions. 

Wish to study extra? Simply see our detailed Sugar Calendar assessment.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to soar straight in with our step-by-step information on easy methods to promote occasion tickets in WordPress. 

Step 10: Add Social Media Feeds

Social media is a good way to attach with supporters and showcase the influence you’re having on the neighborhood.

Think about sharing inspiring images of your newest undertaking on Instagram or going stay on YouTube to provide your followers a real-time take a look at your work in motion.

Plus, when potential supporters see optimistic interactions and real engagement out of your neighborhood, they’re extra more likely to belief your group. They could even really feel impressed to get entangled by volunteering or donating.

At WPBeginner, we use social media to have interaction with our readers and share our content material, and we’ve seen nice outcomes (our Fb group alone has over 98,000 members!)

Constructing a thriving neighborhood on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Fb is a superb begin – however we additionally know that it’s solely step one. Potential supporters may miss your superb content material in the event that they’re not following you on each social platform.

With that in thoughts, we suggest including social media feeds to your WordPress web site utilizing a plugin reminiscent of Smash Balloon. As soon as it’s arrange, Smash Balloon will fetch your newest social media posts routinely and show them in your WordPress web site in an eye catching structure.

This retains your web site contemporary and dynamic, even if you happen to’re busy with different duties. Plus, it ensures your complete viewers stays up-to-date in your newest actions and achievements, even when they’re not following you on social media.

☝ Undecided whether or not Smash Balloon is best for you? Take a look at our full Smash Balloon assessment for more information.

Step 11: Add a Navigation Menu

When you’ve added some content material to your nonprofit web site, you’ll need to assist guests discover their manner round these pages and posts by including a navigation menu.

It doesn’t matter what theme you’re utilizing, WordPress makes it very easy so as to add menus and sub-menus to your nonprofit web site. 

For an entire information, please see our submit on easy methods to add a navigation menu.

Subsequent Steps: The way to Develop Your Nonprofit Web site

Congratulations! In case you’ve been following alongside, then you definitely now have a nonprofit web site that may settle for donations, accumulate contact data, and way more.

That’s a implausible begin, however now it’s time to take it additional. To make the most important influence potential, you’ll want to draw extra guests to your web site and ensure they’ve a optimistic, inspiring expertise. 

Listed here are your subsequent steps:

• Enhance your search engine rankings: Use AIOSEO to enhance your search engine rankings and assist extra folks discover your nonprofit web site. For particulars, see our final WordPress search engine optimization information.
• Optimize web site pace: Participating visuals like movies and images are implausible, however they’ll decelerate your web site. A sluggish web site can frustrate guests and drive them away. Take a look at our final information on easy methods to increase WordPress pace and efficiency to maintain every part operating easily. 
• Broaden your attain with a number of languages: Increase consciousness on a world scale by making a multilingual web site utilizing translation plugins reminiscent of WPML or Weglot.
• Safeguard your web site with backups: Your nonprofit web site is a worthwhile asset, so it’s necessary to guard it with common backups utilizing a plugin like Duplicator. That manner, you’ll all the time have a latest model of your nonprofit web site to revive in case one thing goes fallacious. 

We hope this information has helped you discover ways to create a nonprofit web site in WordPress. Subsequent up, you may need to see our analysis on the prime nonprofit advertising and marketing stats and insights it’s best to know or our record of the finest practices to spice up donations in WordPress.

In case you favored this text, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You may also discover us on Twitter and Fb.

The submit The way to Create a Nonprofit Web site in WordPress (Step by Step) first appeared on WPBeginner.