The Nonprofit Website Project Handbook

THE NONPROFIT WEBSITE PROJECT HANDBOOK GET KNOWING WHAT YOU HAVE STARTED & WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE Identify your project team and project leader. Discuss the goals and audiences for your new site. Determine your budget, timeline and current technology such as databases. Identify some inspiration websites and why you think they are effective. If you must have an RFP, keep it concise and disclose your non- negotiables, such as your project budget. Look for a freelancer or CНOOSE A VENDOR RFP SKILLS firm with both technical and non-technical skills. * Keep it brief * Ask for references Which Content Management System? Make sure the project Drupal Good for more complex sites manager has a tech background * List your budget WordPress Good for small sites or quick projects Ask how they prefer to collaborate with clients Mention if you prefer a freelancer or a firm Mention if you prefer a specific content management system Expression Engine Ask fo their regular work day schedule Good for larger projects or enterprise level Distribute the RFP to Decide whether local, your organization's network national or international vendors will work well ΤΙΜE ΤΟ PLAN DISCOVERY WIREFRAME TAKE YOUR TIME HERE ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS The discovery and research phase of a website project is A wireframe represents the layout of a website without any design elements, such as colors, fonts or logos. SITE MAP the most valuable investment of your organization's time and effort. THINK LIKE AN OUTSIDER Do not walk away from the wireframe until you feel like you understand it. This is a key step. Ask all your questions. Discovery refers to research The discovery and research phase of a website project is and discussions about the website's goals and how to effectively accomplish them. the most valuable investment of your organization's time and effort. Discovery refers to research and discussions about the website's goals and how to effectively accomplish them. DESIGN Provide your graphic designer with constructive feedback. DEVELOPMENT For example, if you don't think the "Donate" button is right for your site, show your graphic designer another "Donate" button that you found compelling. Schedule a couple of brief check-in calls with your web developer while s/he is building your site. LET'S GO LIVE TESTING LAUNCH Schedule the launch for a weekend If your website project doesn't have a user testing budget, ask a member of the project team to moderate an informal focus group of board members, volunteers, Backup your current site files Send an announcement to your list donors and PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK! community members. DOWNLOAD THE HANDBOOK HTTP://SMARTCAUSEDIGITAL.COM/WEBSITE-HANDBOOK