Whether you have a fully fledged long-term charity or a short-term fundraising effort, creating a website provides instant information to potential donors. The type of website depends on available funds, expertise of the organization's members, and the scope of the project. For instance, an organization collecting money would have a different setup from one soliciting volunteers. An organization selling merchandise would require a "shopping cart" interface as opposed to an organization committed to awareness, which would be more informational. Free website hosting and templates provide the easiest method for beginners.
Instructions
1. Write down the charity's goals for the website and outline the needs. For example, if you are collecting donations, you will need an online method to receive the funds. If you are seeking volunteers, you need a sign-up or contact form.
2. Create written content for the website. Decide whether the website will be updated with regular news or just a page of general information.
3. Collect digital photos or graphics for the website.
4. Investigate the many available free hosting options appropriate for your needs. Check blog hosting such as Blogger.com or Wordpress.com for websites that will be regularly updated. Check sites such as Google Sites or Microsoft Live for static websites.
5. Write down several ideas for the website's URL. The address name should relate to the charity's name. The free hosting sites will ask for a name during the registration process and alert you to change a duplicate name.
6. Sign up for the free hosting service. Follow the on-screen instructions for creating the account.
7. Choose a free template that is included with the various hosting options. Experiment with different layouts and choose one that meets your needs.
8. Read the host's help and tutorial pages. They are usually written for beginners.
9. Investigate methods for collecting funds online. Paypal offers free donation accounts, as does Google Checkout. Follow the company's instructions for adding a donate feature to your website.
10. Add your content and graphics according to the website host's instructions.
11. Share your website. Send email to previous donors, friends and family. Add the URL to your signature in related forums. Ask other website owners to include a link to your website. Include the URL in your organization's newsletters and bulletins.
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