Internet Strategies for Nonprofits: Planning for Success

Internet Strategies for Nonprofits:

Planning For Success

3rd Edition

By

Denise Davies

Copyright © 2015 by Denise Davies

COPYRIGHT 3rd Edition

ISBN: 978-1-329-02866-1

All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution are forbidden. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author. Please write to [email protected]

The author and publisher of this book have used their best efforts in preparing this material.  It is sold with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. As always, the advice of a competent legal, tax, accounting or other professional should be sought where required.

The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of any information or resources listed in this book or on the website. All links are for your convenience and are not warranted for content, accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose.

They disclaim any warranties (expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages including but not limited to special, incidental or consequential.

Introduction

This book is for Executive Directors, Development Directors, Board members and consultants to nonprofit organizations and non-governmental agencies (NGOs).  The book will guide you in identifying your website objectives and learning about the benefits and rationale behind choosing specific Internet technologies.

Whether you have a website now and want to move further with it, or you have never had a website, this book will guide you through the planning process.   The idea of starting up a website is often daunting to nonprofits.  Often there is no technical expertise in house and the size of the project seems intimidating.  However the Internet has many advantages to all levels of nonprofits. And it is best to start with your website and then grow and develop it more over time.

This book gives you the tools to identify your goals and objectives and to see what the benefits are from different functionality and areas of the website.  Even if you do not intend to do all these things at the beginning, or there may be some that do not apply to your organization, it is a good idea to review these to create your wish list.  This book will help you prepare an RFQ (Request for a Quote) or RFP (Request for Proposal) from a web developer.

This initial book is a result of years of experience and the concepts that are included here will help you and your organization to identify how the Internet can help your organization to market and broaden your reach, and to achieve the objectives of your organization.

PLANNING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

8 Key Points for Internet Success

The Internet provides a broad range of tools that improve organization communications. Your website is available day and night and is a cost effective method of providing your clients, alliances and associates with up to date information about your products and services, how to find your organization, and to make inquiries.  All of this is available at their convenience – when and where they need it.

For even the smallest organization your website can be a branding and communications tool. Whether you are a small nonprofit, or a multi-million dollar organization with national and international reach, here are 8 key points that will help you to get the most out of your investment in your website.

Think of your users and target audiences – who are they, what do they need and why are they visiting your website? Build your website content around the needs of your audience.

Make the website easy to use with