What a good NGO website needs

Why does an NGO need a website?

Donors, partners and journalists often search for your name before they respond to you. If they find nothing, or find old information, they may stop there. A simple, accurate website works as your public ID.

Forus, the international network of civil society platforms, says that a website for civil society needs a structured approach with clear objectives and inclusive design. Start by asking two questions it suggests: who is our primary audience, and what do we want visitors to do?

What should the homepage say?

A visitor should understand three things within a few seconds:

• Who you are: your name, logo and one sentence on your mission.
• What you do: two or three main programmes, in plain language.
• What to do next: contact you, read a report, apply for a service, or give support.

Avoid long slogans and large slideshows. Use one clear photo, with consent from the people shown. For ethical use of images, see storytelling for NGOs without exploiting people.

Which pages do you need?

Show only what is true and current. Remove "coming soon" pages and old news. If you are not sure what to publish, our guide on how to write an organisational profile is a good starting point, and so is your annual report.

What makes a website work for everyone?

Phones and low data. Many visitors use mid-range phones on limited mobile data. Use small images, simple layouts and few scripts. Test your site on a phone before launch.

Accessibility. Forus recommends a clear hierarchy of headings, high-contrast colours, and checking designs with tools such as a colour contrast checker. Other basics:

• Add short descriptions (alt text) to images that carry meaning.
• Use real headings, not just bigger bold text.
• Make text large enough to read, and do not use colour alone to show meaning.
• Add captions to videos where possible.

Language. Forus advises translating content into relevant local languages where possible. For Myanmar, make sure Burmese text uses Unicode, so it displays correctly on all devices. Our guide on Burmese Unicode and Zawgyi explains why.

Security. Forus recommends multi-factor authentication for private areas, with regular updates and backups. Use HTTPS, strong passwords, and a small number of trusted admins.

Who should own the website?

A common problem is that a volunteer or a freelancer registers the domain in their own name. When they leave, the organisation loses control.

Make sure that:

1. The domain and hosting accounts are registered to the organisation, with an organisational email address.
2. At least two staff members hold admin access.
3. Passwords are stored in a shared, secure place.
4. Someone is responsible for updates each quarter.
5. You keep a copy of the content and backups.

If you work with an outside developer, Forus suggests writing a specification document with your goals, audience, accessibility and language needs before work begins.

How do you plan the content?

1. List your audiences: donors, partners, communities, job seekers.
2. For each, write the three questions they most often ask.
3. Make sure your pages answer those questions in the first paragraph.
4. Use simple headings and short sentences.
5. Add a date to every report and news item.
6. Review the site every three months.

What should you do before launch?

Run a short checklist with two colleagues who did not build the site:

1. Read every page for errors, old dates and names that have changed.
2. Open the site on two different phones and one computer.
3. Click every link and send a test message through the contact form.
4. Check that each page has a clear title, so people and search engines know what it is about.
5. Ask someone outside your team to find your contact details and latest report in under one minute.

Fix what they struggle with, then publish. Repeat the same checks every quarter.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Publishing personal data or images without consent.
• Leaving old project pages as if they were current.
• Hiding contact details.
• Using only images of text, which cannot be read by search engines or screen readers.
• No plan for who updates the site.

How EMPO can help

EMPO is a reliable, Yangon-based training and consultancy provider and one of Myanmar's leading names in practical NGO training, with 1,200+ people trained and 15 partner organisations. We offer web development for NGOs and CSOs in Myanmar, and an organisational profile creation service, in English and Burmese. See our services or the organisational profile service.

Sources

• Web Development Guide for Civil Society Organisations: Best Practices from the Forus network — Forus, 2024