DON'T LET THIS COMMON WEBSITE MISTAKE HURT YOUR NONPROFIT . . .

At Midwest Studies Group there is a phrase we tell local nonprofits about websites all the time . . . A good website might not bring you new supporters but a bad website could detract. So unless you have the budget, need, and known visit and hit rates, spending tens of thousands of dollars might not be the right fit for your local organization. However that does not mean you can't take the time to create a site that looks good and feels good. Any website, no matter if you are a local nonprofit, local chapter of a National organization, or a large International group needs to have update photos, stories, great content, lack of errors, etc. no matter if we are talking about the grandest of sites or a simple landing page.

Some organizations like to save a few bucks and create their own website and nothing is wrong with that. With so many website platforms these days, as long as you have the knack for content and design, the option is there. However whether you are using an outside source or building the website yourself, there is one common mistake organizations make when developing their website. Take the time to make sure that your website is mobile friendly.

Many times a website is complete and no one thinks about seeing what it looks like on a mobile device (Hey, we have been guilty of that in the past too). Just because your site looks awesome on a computer does not mean it looks just as great on a phone. Often times words will be off centered, photos will be in spots unintended, and fun plug-in apps might not work the same.

So be sure to take the time to test out your site on your mobile device. Your website developer probably already does this but it does not hurt to check things out and give some feedback to them if need be. If you are doing the website yourself, most times, the platform you are using will have a "mobile edit" mode that you can go to, and make edits for how things will look like on a mobile device.

Questions about building or upgrading your website? Be sure to visit our friends at IFC Studios at www.ifcstudios.com, as they do an amazing job on websites and branding.

------------ Midwest Studies Group connects nonprofits to their communities, by providing feasibility studies, annual giving studies, RD planning, strategic planning, and capital campaign support. Learn more at www.midweststudiesgroup.com.