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Overview of websites for nonprofits including how websites work, content management systems, Wordpress, Google Sites, and best practices for any nonprofit website.
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Websites for Nonprofits
Introductions
Elissa Thomas, Stephen Eggers, Abby NafzigerHandsOn Tech AmeriCorp VISTAServing at NPower [email protected]
Introductions
NameOrganizationMy biggest challenge for my nonprofit's website is ________________________My biggest success for my nonprofit's website is ________________________
How websites work
1. Web pages are stored on a web server (think of a computer or server) far, far away
2. A web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc) asks for a web page
3. The web server gives a web page back
graphic from www.ccseo.com
Vocab (for your records)
Web site: a collection of web pages, documents and multi-media files that are stored on a server on the Internet called a host server.
Web page: a simple text file that contains text and HTML tags that describe how the text and images are formatted on your screen.
HTML: a set of HTML tags are simple instructions that tell a web browser how a web page should look. The tags tell the browser to do things like change the font size or color, or arrange things in columns.
Web browser: (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome) interprets HTML tags and decides how to format the text and images.
Web server: delivers web pages to web browsers over the Internet when called on.
Domain name: the location of a website and its files on the Internet.
File transfer protocol (FTP): used to transfer files over the Internet.
Web Content Management System (CMS): software or tool that allows a user to publish content online, usually with an intuitive interface, often using a web browser.
Under the hood - HTML
Under the hood - FTP
Content Management Systems
Web CMS: Software installed on a web server that is designed to integrate features like blogs, forums, and wikis into a seamless user experience. Most content management systems have user-friendly interfaces accessible from any web browser and a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") editor.
CMS's we won't cover today
These frameworks generally require a consultant to configure
CMS's we will cover
These frameworks have a gentle learning curve. Easy to use, but also powerful
WordPress -- a much easier CMS
● For adding timely content regularly.
● Easy interface.● Large directory of
"plugins" available.● Volunteers can
customize if needed.● Allows for multiple
user accounts with different permissions.
● No need for FTP.
An example of a WordPress site
WordPress - the Dashboard
All your functions are on the left-hand sidebar
Hands-on with WordPress
1. Go to the link in your email account -- for example: http://www.testsite.net/test1/wp-login.php
2. Log in using the username and password in your email account (contributor1, contributor2, contributor3, or editor1)
● Contributors! Create 2 posts to add content to the site and submit for review.
● Editors! Review the posts and approve them if you want. If you have time, feel free to create your own post(s)!
Activity #1:
More hands-on with WordPress
Log out, then log back in using your new username (admin2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) and password
● Admin2: Select a new theme (Appearance -> Themes)● Admin3: Add a new page -- not post● Admin4: Create new user accounts (Users -> Add New)● Admin5: Delete the "Recent Comments" sidebar section
(Appearance -> Widgets)● Admin6: Rename the website and tagline (Settings ->
General)
Activity #2:
10 minute break
Meet back at 11:00image by roboppy (flickr)
Best Practices
1. Simple, accessible design with easy page navigation2. Nonprofit mission is readily apparent to website
visitors example
3. Action links are prominently displayed on your home page (Subscribe to Newsletter, Volunteer, Donate) example
4. Contact page, preferably with staff pictures example
5. Visitor tracking in place to collect metrics
Our next Google Analytics class is 7/11/2012
Depending on goals, some extras ...
1. Improve your site's search engine optimization (class: 7/18)2. Social media icons are on home page3. A news section or blog provides updates example
4. Consistent branding of logos, color schemes, etc example
Bonus points for amazing graphics and multimedia content: videos, interactive maps, graphs, third-party widgets
Nonprofit Wordpress Sites
Link
Link
Link
Link
Google Sites
● Easy to update
● Static pages● Free for
anyone with a Google account
● Can embed multimedia, blogs, maps, calendars, documents, etc.
Hands-on with Google Sites
1. Log into your Google account.
2. Choose "Sites" from the menu at the top or go directly to: http://sites.google.com
● Click "create" and select a design template.● Add 2 new pages, titled whatever you want.● Insert 1 image and 1 link. Insert more items if you like! ● Share the URL with the person next to you via email.
Activity:
Resources
● TechSoup.org section on web building● NTEN's websites section● Idealware websites section● NPower Northwest's Knowledge Center● WordPress.org and WordPress.com● Google Sites tutorial (and another)● 11 website design best practices for nonprofits● How to create web content that works● Principles for an effective nonprofit website● DreamHost -- free web hosting for nonprofits
Any questions?
Is that it?!
photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticrevolver/164351244/
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