I have spent a fair amount of time diving into non-profit websites and yet it never ceases to amaze me how often I come across the same design issues, especially with small and mid-size organizations. A poorly designed website can really set a non-profit back from scaling it's reach and impact. Here's a stroll through some of the most common issues I’ve spotted and how we can spruce things up.

1. Cluttered Design and Poor Navigation

I’ve seen sites with so much crammed onto the homepage that I don’t know where to start. Often these sites try to be everything for everyone. And then there’s the maze of menus—if you need a map and compass to find the donate button, something’s gone wrong. Sometimes the menus are not even visible on one or the other platform - PC or a mobile - and I have to pull up the site on the right device. Simplify, prioritize, and make it easy for visitors to find what they need. Fix overloaded pages, confusing menus and layout of of content.

2. Missing or Incomplete Key Pages

You’d be surprised how many non-profits skip the basics. I can’t tell you how often I’ve searched for an About Us page only to come up empty-handed. This page is where the organization or founder gets the chance to tell their story, and if it’s missing or half-baked or not clear, the site visitors - all prospective volunteers, benefeciaries and donors might not stick around. Similarly the Board of Directors page is often all "lorem ipsum" and lacking in bios, profile pics or links to their LinkedIn pages. This is such a great place to show the diversity and signal credibility of the board, especially to high networth donors and grant giving organizations. And I can not understand why 501(c)3 orgs who do file Form 990 don't dial up transparency by having a page called Financial Highlights or Annual Reports.

Then there’s the Impact page—this is where the you get to show off how your work is moving the needle!

Finally there's the Donate page and complicated user flows. If people have to dig through your site like archaeologists just to find a way to give you money, something’s gone awry. Make it easy, make it clear, and please please, tell them how their donation will make a difference!

3. Inadequate Mobile Optimization

With so much time being spent on mobile devices, tt’s a bit of a head-scratcher when I come across a non-profit website that’s very unusable on mobile. If I have to zoom in, pinch, and swipe just to read your mission statement, it’s time for a redesign. I see wide drop down menus with text cropped. I can't make out what to click on. Sometimes rotating the phone 90 degrees from portrait to landscaper mode helps me but only for a wee bit before I have rotate again to read the actual content on the new page I just pulled up. A site that’s not mobile-friendly is like a coffee shop that only accepts cash—sure, some people will go out of their way, but most will just move on.

4. Unclear Calls to Action (CTAs)

Ever been to a party where the host just assumes you know where the snacks are? That’s what it feels like when a website has vague or hidden calls to action. If I can’t find the “Donate” button or the volunteer sign-up form without a treasure map, we’ve got a problem. And if you’ve got too many buttons shouting for attention, it’s like trying to decide between a dozen different desserts—sometimes, you just end up walking away without picking any. Keep it simple, and make the next step crystal clear.

5. Lack of Accessibility

Accessibility is one of those things that often gets overlooked, but it’s super important. Think of it like a restaurant with no ramp or elevator—sure, it works fine for some people, but others are left out in the cold. Poor contrast, tiny fonts, and missing alt text for images can make your site unusable for a lot of folks.Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a must-do.

What really surprises me, though, is when I see non-profits that cater to seniors and still miss the mark on accessibility. You’d think that organizations serving older adults would be all over this, but I often find websites with small, hard-to-read text and low contrast that make it tough for anyone with vision challenges to navigate. Larger fonts, higher contrast, and easy-to-read layouts should be standard practice, especially for these groups. And it’s not just about vision—simple navigation, clear language, and even the option to adjust text size should be part of the design. It’s about meeting people where they are, and making sure everyone can access the important information they need.

6. Outdated or Unprofessional Visuals

First impressions matter. If your website looks like it’s stuck in the pre dotcom era (that's the 2000s if you were confused), visitors might assume your organization is too. I’ve seen sites with low res photos, low light photos, low contrast photos, cheesy stock photos and layouts in pink and green that scream “My first website!” And that goes for poorly designed bitmapped logos too. A little design TLC can go a long way in making your organization look as professional and credible as it actually is. If your website comes across as polished and professional, it increases the likelihood of people thinking you have your act together and are more likely to donate , support or volunteer.

7. Content Issues

Keeping your content fresh is like keeping your fridge stocked—no one wants to find out you’re still serving last year’s leftovers. I’ve come across plenty of blogs or news pages that haven’t been updated in months, and it makes me wonder if anyone’s home. If your most recent plog post link on your home page can not be from Jun 2017 (that's 6 years ago) and that blog post link has expired, you are not coming across as an active organization.

Regular updates and compelling storytelling can keep your audience engaged and excited about what you’re doing.

8. Difficult Donation Processes

Making a donation should be as easy as ordering a pizza. But I’ve seen donation user flows that jump from one site to another. The forms that are more like tax returns—long, complicated, and likely to make people give up halfway through. And if you’re only accepting one type of payment, you’re basically saying, “No thanks” to a bunch of potential donors. Keep the flow simple, preferrably on your site, and offer as many options as you can.

And please make the Donation buttons a different color from the rest of your navigation menu, preferably peristent in location on all screens

9. Ignoring SEO Best Practices

SEO might sound like a boring tech term, but it’s the magic that helps people find your site. If you’re not paying attention to search engine optimization, your website might be lost in the digital wilderness. I’ve seen plenty of sites with missing meta descriptions, wonky title tags, and no alt text—it’s like trying to sell cookies without a sign out front. A little SEO can go a long way in helping your site get noticed.

10. Security Concerns

Security might not be the most glamorous topic, but it’s critical. I’ve come across sites that don’t even have an SSL certificate, which is kind of like leaving your front door wide open. And using outdated software? That’s like keeping your valuables in a cardboard box. Keeping your site secure is key to earning trust and protecting your supporters.

11. Neglecting Analytics and User Feedback

Lastly, if you’re not tracking what’s happening on your site, you’re flying blind. I’m often amazed at how many non-profits can not answer the question how much traffic does your website get, what are the top pages visited, what are top tasks done on your website? Many don't use tools like Google Analytics to see how visitors are interacting with their site. Or the person who configured it is gone.

And ignoring user feedback? That’s like asking for advice and then covering your ears. Understanding what’s working and what’s not can help you make improvements that really matter.

If you’re nodding along to any of this, it might be time for a website audit— see how many of these are applicable to your website. In my experience, it’s amazing how much of a difference a few tweaks can make! Give your non-profit a digital makeover, you can make your website a powerful tool for your cause.