1. NGO Websites Course Instructors: Eric R. Jacobs, M.B.A. Sandra M. Jacobs, M.B.A. US Peace Corps L’viv Catholic University’s Institute for Non-Profit Management February 2006 Certificate Program

2. Agenda Why does your NGO need a Website? Fundamental Website Principles Development Strategies Real ‘Live’ Examples Practical Application Exercise

3. Why does your NGO need a Website? The internet has become the first source of communication for most organizations –Domestically –Internationally Websites allow a direct link to your service recipients, employees and volunteers…even to those who did not know you otherwise existed! Websites are a relatively inexpensive way to disseminate as much information as you wish

4. Key Website Principles KISS (Keep it Simple, Silly) Identify your audience Homepage basics…what to include? Language options and translation strategies 2 click principle Font and color strategies Remember loading time Photos – to include or not to include?

5. KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) Don’t create a monster or website for everyone, focus on your audiences Only include information you need to effectively communicate to your audience Build your website in stages. It is better to have small site than one “under construction” The home page should answer who, what, where, why, when and how

6. Identify your audience Answer the following questions: –Who needs information about my NGO? Potential donors Members and or staff Service recipients Others –What information will be helpful to them? –What language(s) do they speak? –Culture, Time Zone, etceteras?

7. Homepage basics…what you need? Important homepage information or links: –Mission and vision of your NGO –Services provided by your NGO & to whom Donors Service recipients Members page –‘Contact Us’ page –Annual report, if applicable –Current Projects –Success stories and past projects –Fundraising and or donation information –Index page

8. Language translation strategies Consider your language requirements: –Is Ukrainian or Ukrainian/Russian sufficient to meet your website and organizational needs? –If English or other languages are required, who will translate the website? When presenting information for foreign donors or partners, professionalism is critical! –Find a native speaker if possible to proofread your website content before posting online. Translations of new material must be timely and accurate.

9. Two (2) click principle Try to keep your website to 3 layers, so that a user can navigate anywhere on the website with only two ‘2’ clicks Navigation bar helps to implement this within the website design, a vertical bar on the left of the screen is a well accepted norm Homepage link should be on every page Have a Website index on the homepage and every page if possible

10. Font and color strategies Try to keep the fonts standard and easy to read –Information first, style second Stay away from cursive, mixed fonts and blinking texts Bolding is acceptable and effective to highlight headings and titles, but do not “over do it” It is acceptable to use your organization’s fonts when expressing symbols, emblems and titles.

11. Font and color strategies Keep the color schemes simple, easy to read and pleasant to the eyes. Stay away from black, red, purples and yellow backgrounds. Try to use soothing colors; grey, blues, earth tones and greens. It is acceptable to use your organizations colors, symbols or emblems, but use them sparingly if they are not a good website colors

12. Remember loading time Your homepage should consider lower connectivity speed users. If a user does not see the homepage, they will not wait to see the rest of the site 5 seconds should be the maximum loading time for your homepage (1 - 2 seconds is the norm in America) 10 second maximum for other pages on the site If you do not expect a lot of users to download information, do not include it

13. Photos, to include or not to include? Pros –A picture tells a thousand words –They grab people attention –They create familiarity Cons –They slow page download speed –They can miscommunicate a message –They can be perceived as unprofessional

14. Development Strategies What if your organization has no knowledge of websites? –Incorporate website design and development into a larger or specific project proposal –Research Ukrainian and international websites of organizations similar to yours What do you like? What don’t you like? What is missing? What is annoying? Use the answers assist in the development of your site –Work with a university or institute to find technical students looking for ‘practical internship’

15. Development Strategies Building an effective website is a project first, then an ongoing operation. Plan accordingly. –Create a project to build or overhaul your website Determine who builds the site Who will host the site Develop a budget and stick to it –Develop an operational strategy to keep you website updated and maintained Will the site be maintained internally or externally? Develop a budget and stick to it Review the plan every six months –A neglected website can do more harm than good to your organization, do not build it and forget it!

16. Development Strategies 80 / 20 Rule The classic definition of the principle states: that a small number of the causes (20%) are responsible for most (80%) of the effect. With respect to web design, it can be said that 20% of the work will take up 80% of your time. Success can be found in identifying that expensive 20% and taking proactive steps to mitigate the costs and time.

17. Good and Bad Websites The following slides show three examples of websites from good to fair to bad. A good website is easily understood, with a high information to data ratio. It can be read over quickly and effectively and has left side or top navigation. A fair website has all the right components, but may have too large a homepage or too long a loading time or some missing key elements A poor website it confusing, requires a lot of work form the reader and looks unprofessional, it does not invite someone back regardless of the information’s value

18. Example #1 Goodwill Industries

20. Example #2 Youth Can

22. Example #3 Youth Can

23. Example #3 RAFSG – L,R&V

25. NGO Website Design. Any Questions?