For your nonprofit, a website is more than a digital brochure. It’s your 24/7 hub for fundraising, advocacy, and supporter engagement. When designed well, your site can inspire action and build trust. When designed poorly, you risk losing critical donations and support.
But building a site that converts donors and integrates with your tech is a unique challenge. That’s why smart organizations hire nonprofit web design companies. These specialists skip the learning curve, building mission-focused sites that spread awareness and navigate your tech needs from day one. To help you pick the right partner, we’ll explore:
- The Best Specialized Nonprofit Web Design Companies
- Site Builders for a DIY Approach to Nonprofit Website Design
- Bonus Nonprofit Website Tools and Services
- How To Choose a Nonprofit Website Design Company
- Working with a Nonprofit Website Design Company: FAQ
Your mission deserves a website that works as hard as you do. The right nonprofit web design agency won’t just give you a beautiful site—they’ll create an engine for growth. Let’s explore the partners and tools that can build your nonprofit’s site.
Join 600+ nonprofits that trust Cornershop Creative to build their most important digital asset.
The Best Specialized Nonprofit Web Design Companies
Partnering with the best nonprofit web design agency for your needs requires research. Start by checking out our list of highly recommended companies. Consider each agency’s specialties while setting expectations for a web design project. Soon, you’ll have a list of top contenders to reach out to!
| Web Design Company | Specialization |
| Cornershop Creative | Best Overall |
| Wired Impact | Affordability |
| 4Site | Video Content |
| ThinkShout | Open-Source Platforms |
| DNL OmniMedia | Blackbaud Solutions Implementation |
| Kalamuna | Accessible Design |
| Cathexis Partners | Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Functionality |
| Yeeboo Digital | Digital Fundraising & Revenue Growth |
| ShulCloud | Synagogues |
| Kanopi | Drupal Expertise |
| Loop | Brand Identity |
| Firefly Partners | Integrated Digital Marketing Strategies |
| Grassriots | Audience Analysis |
| Zuri Group | Data-Driven Strategies |
| Interactive Strategies | Content Strategy and Design |
| Fresh Eyes Digital | Marketing and Fundraising |
1. Cornershop Creative: Best Nonprofit Web Design Agency Overall
At Cornershop Creative, we help nonprofits change the world by offering unique, customized, full-service web design and support. We’ve worked with hundreds of nonprofit clients (check out our portfolio!), and we pride ourselves on the careful listening that translates into incredible finished products designed just for your audience.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Company Made Our List
Cornershop Creative stands out as a full-service nonprofit web design company with deep, specialized expertise in WordPress. We don’t just build websites; we create entire digital ecosystems for nonprofits, from initial design to long-term digital marketing and support.
Our talented team offers a variety of services, including:
- Strategic Web Design and Development: We guide our clients through a comprehensive process, starting with in-depth discovery and information architecture, moving through collaborative design, and finishing with expert WordPress development and rigorous quality-assurance testing.
- Content Strategy and Search Engine Optimization (SEO): We provide crucial content support, including strategy development, writing new SEO content, and carefully migrating existing content from your old site to ensure you’re found by the right audience.
- Advanced Custom Functionality: Our team builds advanced features tailored to nonprofit needs, including secure membership sites, custom AI chatbots, interactive maps, and deep integrations with CRMs like Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, and Engaging Networks.
- Analytics and Site Optimization: We also specialize in Google Analytics 4 configuration and reporting, helping your organization track the right data and analyze site performance to make informed decisions.
- Web Accessibility: We are deeply committed to web accessibility, building sites compliant with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 standards to ensure your content is accessible to all visitors.
What truly sets us apart is that we don’t just use WordPress; we extend its functionality! As true WordPress experts, we develop our own plugins specifically to solve common nonprofit challenges, such as:
- WordPress Annual Report Builder: This plugin will help you get a jumpstart on creating your annual report. With seven reusable blocks that include content prompts and animations, you’ll be able to create annual report content that can be exported to a PDF and printed.
- eCard Campaign Builder: Use this plugin to offer eCards to your supporters so they can show the world that they love your nonprofit’s work. With unlimited image options, optional payment processing, and flexible supporter data fields, you can offer an unforgettable donation experience.
Pricing
We offer custom pricing based on your web design needs. Contact our team to get pricing information!
What Cornershop Creative Customers Have to Say
- “Cornershop is unmatched in their professionalism and always delivers quality products in a timely manner. We couldn’t recommend them more!” – Center for Earth Ethics
- “From the initial scoping meeting to the launch of the website, Cornershop Creative was thorough, responsive, collaborative, and fun! Our project manager was stellar and kept us informed at every step of the process. An overall great experience!” – Electricity Consumers Resource Council
- “I will hire Cornershop Creative every time I need a website created or maintained. Period.” – TOGETHER Bay Area
Examples of Cornershop Creative in Action
1. Live Out Loud: Website Update
Live Out Loud, a nonprofit that connects LGBTQ youth to positive role models in the community, contacted us to get a fresh look for their website. We gave the site a modern style upgrade, optimized the site for search engines, and built a brand-new, user-friendly donation form.
2. Polar Bears International: Customized WooCommerce Shop
Polar Bears International is dedicated to securing a future for polar bears in the Arctic, and they reached out to our team to create an online fundraising shop. We set them up with a customized store that offers eCards, symbolic adoptions, and polar bear-themed gifts.
3. Penny Appeal USA: Full Website Overhaul
Penny Appeal USA has a mission to eradicate poverty, and they recruited the Cornershop Creative team to help them build a new website they could more easily manage and update. We assisted them by creating a new site on a builder that helps content creators quickly make and share content, building a new volunteer form, and setting up a custom widget that could be easily connected to Penny Appeal USA’s donation forms.
Ready to partner with a nonprofit website design firm that understands your needs? Talk to our experts about your unique goals.
Wired Impact: A Great Budget-Friendly Agency
Wired Impact advertises itself as “your happy place between custom and DIY nonprofit web design.” This agency recognizes the need for a middle ground in web design services and offers a transparent pricing model to match. If you’re faced with a tight web design budget, Wired Impact could be the partner for you!
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
On top of great prices for growing nonprofits, Wired Impact offers powerful, nonprofit-specific features like:
- Embedded donation forms (for single and recurring donations)
- Volunteer and event registration capabilities
- Streamlined resource organization
- Easy integrations with other marketing platforms, payment processors, and CRMs
- Mobile-responsive design
Pricing
Newer nonprofits can tap into Wired Impact’s standard features for $99/month and a one-time project fee of $400.
4Site: Best Nonprofit Web Design Company for Video Content
4Site strives to help its nonprofit clients maximize their fundraising and advocacy tools. One of the most exciting approaches they take to meet this goal is through the production of branded feature video content for websites and events. If you’re looking to incorporate video into your supporter engagement strategy, 4Site can help!
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
4Site offers a number of services to nonprofits looking to solve technical, creative, and strategic challenges. These include:
- Website development
- CRM customization and integration
- Branding and design
Pricing
Contact the 4Site team for pricing information.
ThinkShout: Top Nonprofit Web Design Agency for Open-Source Platforms
ThinkShout is a full-service digital agency that helps organizations focused on helping people and the planet make the most out of open-source platforms like Drupal, GitHub, and WordPress. In particular, this company is an active participant in the Drupal community and has even developed original Drupal modules and provided regular fixes to the platform.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Here are a few of ThinkShout’s many services:
- Drupal expertise
- Audience research and insights
- Responsive, interactive, mobile-first website designs
- Accessibility and usability testing
- Content migrations
Pricing
Contact the ThinkShout team for pricing information.
DNL OmniMedia: Best Agency for Blackbaud Solutions Implementation
In addition to building websites, DNL OmniMedia helps its nonprofit clients leverage technology solutions that help them move their missions forward, like Blackbaud’s nonprofit CRM. DNL OmniMedia is an implementer, integrator, and customizer of Blackbaud Solutions. So, if you’re interested in getting assistance with the software, analytics, and data that your nonprofit has access to, DNL OmniMedia may be the perfect partner for your team.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
DNL OmniMedia provides a wide swath of services to its nonprofit clients, like:
- Website development
- Blackbaud CRM solutions
- Fundraising strategy development
- Marketing strategy development
- Data analysis and web analytics services
Pricing
Contact the DNL OmniMedia team for pricing information.
Kalamuna: Best Company for Accessible Nonprofit Web Design
Kalamuna is a digital agency that works with mission-driven organizations to satisfy both nonprofits’ and their audiences’ needs. Their work reflects a commitment to intuitive and beautiful design. If your nonprofit is looking for a website with a unique visual feel, Kalamuna may be the nonprofit web design company for you!
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Kalamuna offers a variety of services for nonprofits to create impactful digital experiences, such as:
- Website design and development
- Accessible and user-centered experiences
- Brand storytelling
- Research and strategy development
Pricing
Contact the Kalamuna team for pricing information.
Cathexis Partners: Top Agency for Integrating Peer-to-Peer Functionality
Cathexis Partners is a design agency that can not only help you design and create an eye-catching site but can also assist you in harnessing the power of different fundraising technologies, like peer-to-peer fundraising solutions. If you’re ready to involve your supporters more fully in peer-to-peer fundraising, Cathexis Partners is a great company for you to consider working with.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Cathexis Partners offers a variety of affordable consulting services for nonprofits, including:
- Peer-to-peer fundraising solution set-up and management
- Website design
- Database management, reporting, and analytics
- Online fundraising strategy and campaign execution
Pricing
Cathexis Partners promises affordable services. Contact their team for specific pricing information.
Yeeboo Digital: Best for Digital Fundraising and Revenue Growth
Located in Ontario, Canada, Yeeboo Digital is a full-service digital fundraising and technology agency. Their goal is to help nonprofits leverage technology and direct response to boost nonprofit growth. They are based in Canada, but work with organizations across North America.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Yeeboo Digital offers services in three core areas—digital fundraising, websites and technology, and ongoing support. Specifically, they can help you with:
- WordPress website design and management
- Full-service email marketing
- New donor acquisition
- Google Ad Grant management
Pricing
Contact the Yeeboo Digital team for pricing information.
ShulCloud: Best Synagogue Web Design Agency
If you’re looking to create a website for your synagogue, ShulCloud is the partner for you. The ShulCloud team understands the unique challenges synagogues face and offers a user-friendly, cloud-based platform for all things synagogue management.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
ShulCloud stands out for its specific synagogue focus, and offers the following features:
- Elegant, public-facing, and mobile-friendly website design (with photo galleries and online member portals)
- Newsletter creation capabilities
- Membership and donation tracking
- Easy-to-use scheduling tools
Pricing
ShulCloud’s standard plan is $149/month.
Kanopi: Top Nonprofit Web Design Company for Drupal
Kanopi is a web design agency whose differentiating offering is Drupal website construction. With years of Drupal experience and as a supporting partner to the Drupal Association, Kanopi is an excellent choice for nonprofits looking to build their websites on or migrate their sites to Drupal.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Kanopi offers the following services to nonprofits looking to make the most of their Drupal-based sites:
- Website design services (including interaction design and user testing)
- User experience strategy
- Custom module and plugin development
- Staff augmentation
Pricing
Contact the Kanopi team for pricing information.
Loop: Best Nonprofit Web Designers for Branding
Loop is a full-service creative agency that can help you design an immersive website that is accessible and optimized across all devices. But Loop also stands out for its specialization in helping you create a brand identity.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Loop helps nonprofits create branded websites that help them maximize their web presence, which is reflected in the services they offer. Here’s what you can expect from Loop:
- Brand audit and naming
- Brand story development
- Logo, typography, color scheme, icon, and graphic design
- WordPress website design
- Training and ongoing support
Pricing
Contact the Loop team for pricing information.
Firefly Partners: Best Agency for Integrated Digital Marketing Strategies
Firefly Partners is a woman-owned digital marketing agency. This company works with progressive nonprofits and prioritizes doing digital marketing in an equitable and ethical way.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Firefly Partners offers an array of services all designed to help amplify social good voices. Their services include:
- Full digital ecosystem audits and recommendations
- Website and asset accessibility assistance
- Full-service SEO and pay-per-click (PPC)
- Email marketing
Pricing
Contact Firefly Partners for pricing information.
Grassriots: A Great Nonprofit Website Agency for Audience Targeting
Grassriots is a full-service digital agency based in Canada. They work with nonprofits, unions, and social sector organizations across the globe. They work to build digital experiences that audiences love and then turn that love into enhanced impact for your mission.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Grassriots offers a number of services, including:
- Audience analysis
- Donation page design
- Conversion optimization
- CRM configuration
- Video, animation, and photography
Pricing
Contact the Grassriots team for pricing information.
Zuri Group: A Leading Design Agency for Data-Driven Strategies
As an agency that believes in helping nonprofits get the most out of their technology, Zuri Group offers strategic and data-driven services to nonprofits. While the team is well-versed in common tools like Blackbaud, Classy, and Salesforce, it doesn’t have any vendor allegiances, which allows the company to provide unbiased guidance and counsel.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
In addition to offering web design services and general digital fundraising counsel, Zuri Group also offers the following services:
- CRM implementation and customization
- Data conversion, migration, analysis, and maintenance
- Change management and navigation
Pricing
Contact Zuri Group for pricing information.
Interactive Strategies: Best Web Designers for Content Design
Interactive Strategies works with associations, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and for-profit companies. This agency offers both design and digital marketing services.
Why This Nonprofit Marketing Agency Made Our List
Interactive Strategies takes an integrated approach to working with its clients on their goals, bringing together strategy, design, content, technology, and marketing to drive results. Their services include:
- Audience research and persona development
- Content audits
- Brand strategy and positioning
- Website design (including mobile and responsive design)
- SEO and SEO content writing
- Social media marketing
Pricing
Contact Interactive Strategies for pricing information.
Fresh Eyes Digital: Leading Nonprofit Web Designers for Marketing
For over 20 years, Fresh Eyes Digital has offered creative marketing and fundraising services to nonprofits with the goal of helping their clients grow their audiences, inspire their supporters, and raise more money for their work. Since they don’t offer web design or development services, Fresh Eyes Digital is a good fit for nonprofits that already have a website and are looking to improve how they’re using it to market their missions and fundraise.
Why This Nonprofit Web Design Agency Made Our List
Fresh Eyes Digital offers services like:
- Digital direct response fundraising
- Strategic digital planning
- Campaign and content development
Pricing
Contact Fresh Eyes Digital for pricing information.
Site Builders for a DIY Approach to Nonprofit Website Design
Not every nonprofit needs a complex, custom-built site. Hiring a full-service firm isn’t always feasible either, especially for new or small nonprofits. For organizations that want to launch quickly or are operating on a tight budget, a site builder is an excellent alternative.
If you want to take a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach, check out these modern site builders for creating a professional-looking site:
| Web Design Platform | Best For |
| WordPress | Open-Source Customization |
| Wix | Total Beginners |
| Squarespace | Brand and Aesthetics |
WordPress: Best Open-Source Nonprofit Website Builder
WordPress.org is the world’s most popular open-source content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of the entire web. It is the best and most powerful option for nonprofits of any size that want a truly custom, scalable platform with limitless flexibility.
Unlike other site builders, you aren’t locked into a specific set of tools with WordPress, so you have complete control. Plus, you can easily transition from the DIY approach to working with a professional design agency as your needs grow. For example, our expert nonprofit web design firm specializes in WordPress to build fully custom, mission-driven sites.
Why This Site Builder Made Our List
WordPress provides the foundation for a truly strategic digital presence. Its main advantages include:
- Flexibility and Scalability: WordPress’s extensive customization options mean your site can be completely unique. Your nonprofit can use plugins to easily expand over time, adding mission-critical tools like event registration forms and advanced fundraising features.
- Large Support Community: The platform is supported by a global network of web developers, consultants, and experts. If you run into any trouble, you can easily find partners who specialize in the platform (like Cornershop Creative).
- Minimal Coding Knowledge Required: You don’t need a background in web development to create a stunning WordPress site. While developers can add their own spin, those without coding skills can still build, manage, and update a beautiful site using its user-friendly interface.
- Full Control Over Data and Hosting: With a self-hosted WordPress site, your organization truly owns its website—including all content and donor data. Since you aren’t just renting space on a proprietary platform, you have the freedom to choose any hosting provider that meets your budget and security needs.
Pricing
The WordPress software itself is 100% free. However, you are responsible for paying for your own web hosting and domain name. Costs for premium themes or plugins, and especially for custom development, are separate.
Wix: A Great Nonprofit Website Builder for Beginners
Wix is known for its intuitive and flexible drag-and-drop editor, which lets you move elements anywhere on the page without using any code. This “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) approach makes it one of the easiest all-in-one platforms for organizations with no technical staff.
Why This Site Builder Made Our List
Wix provides a complete, self-contained toolkit for building and managing your site. Its strengths lie in its simplicity and built-in features, which include:
- Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Editor: Choose from over 900 templates and customize your theme easily. The editor allows you to place text, images, and buttons exactly where you want them, giving you a high degree of creative control with no code required.
- Built-in Nonprofit Tools: Wix offers its own set of apps, including Wix Donations for one-time and recurring gifts and Wix Events for ticketing and RSVPs. This allows you to manage your core activities without installing or updating third-party plugins.
- Integrated Marketing Suite: The platform includes its own email marketing and social media tools, so you can manage your supporter outreach from the same dashboard you use to update your site.
Pricing
Wix offers a limited free plan, but it includes Wix branding and does not allow you to accept payments. To accept donations, your nonprofit must subscribe to the Core plan (starting at $29/month).
Squarespace: Best Nonprofit Web Design Platform for Brand and Aesthetics
Squarespace is our top choice for nonprofits that want a stunning, design-forward website without hiring a designer. Its greatest strength is its award-winning, professional templates; it’s the ideal DIY platform for organizations that prioritize visual storytelling and want a polished brand from day one.
Why This Site Builder Made Our List
Squarespace bundles everything you need into one platform. You can get your online presence up and running with these key features:
- Stunning Templates: Build a professional, mobile-responsive site using Squarespace’s curated templates. All fonts, color palettes, and page layouts are designed to work together perfectly.
- Built-in Donation Features: With the Business plan or higher, you can add a dedicated Donation Block to any page, allowing you to accept secure contributions directly from your supporters.
- Integrated Marketing Tools: The platform includes Squarespace Email Campaigns and social media tools, making it easy to create beautiful, on-brand email blasts that match your website’s design.
Pricing
Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial. To accept donations using their built-in features, you will need the Business plan (starting at $23/month, billed annually).
Bonus Nonprofit Website Design Tools and Services
Once you’ve worked with a nonprofit web design company to build a site that truly helps you stand out from the crowd, start looking into the myriad of services and tools available that can help you get the most mileage out of your site.
Matching Gifts
Double the Donation is a powerful fundraising tool that integrates directly into your nonprofit’s website. It specializes in automating corporate gift matching, but it can also help you tap into other forms of corporate philanthropy. The platform provides a simple search tool that allows supporters to instantly see if their employer will match their gift and provides them with the forms and instructions to do so.
Why This Company Made Our List
Double the Donation offers the following services to nonprofits, helping your nonprofit maximize its fundraising revenue:
- Easy matching gift eligibility identification
- Automated matching gift emails to donors
- Matching gift auto-submission to streamline donors’ match requests
Pricing
Pricing is tiered based on your nonprofit’s matching gift revenue. Plans start at $300 for organizations with up to $2,000 in identified matched donations.
Integrated Graphic Design
For unlimited graphic design from a dedicated designer who personally knows your mission, turn to Kwala. This company specializes in nonprofit graphic design at an affordable price, fulfilling your design vision and offering suggestions if needed!
Why This Company Made Our List
Kwala’s graphic design offerings include:
- On-demand service from your own dedicated designer
- Specialization in mission-driven design
- Unlimited designs and revisions for a set subscription price
- Full ownership of designs
Pricing
For small nonprofits, Kwala’s services are $439/month.
Video Production
See3 works with organizations to help them improve their digital marketing, fundraising, and engagement. This design company also stands out because of its focus on producing high-quality videos that can help your nonprofit spread the word about its cause without going over budget.
Why This Company Made Our List
See3 offers the following services to nonprofits, with the aim of helping you move to the next level:
- Strategic consulting
- Content creation and marketing
- Video content production
- Creative and design services
- SEO services
Pricing
Contact See3 for pricing information.
Secure Technology Infrastructure
RoundTable Technology’s premier managed IT services can help your nonprofit maintain the security and safety of its website and other tech. By hiring RoundTable Technology to help you manage your technology infrastructure and keep all of your nonprofit’s information secure, you’ll be able to get back to working for your cause faster!
Why This Company Made Our List
RoundTable Technology has a unique set of services available to nonprofits. These include:
- Managed IT support (so your nonprofit doesn’t have to hire a full-time IT staff member)
- Cybersecurity services
- Virtual CIO services
- Project delivery services (such as website redesign and SEO support)
Pricing
Contact RoundTable Technology for pricing information.
Cohesive Branding
Lightbox Collaborative is a design agency that can help you get started on your website-building journey with its branding and naming services. So, if your organization is still striving to find its voice and look before diving into web design, Lightbox Collaborative is the partner for you!
Why This Company Made Our List
Here are some of the services Lightbox Collaborative offers to the nonprofit community:
- Naming and branding
- Message development
- Capacity building
- Campaign development
Pricing
Contact Lightbox Collaborative for pricing information.
Storytelling Elements
Moonsail North is a marketing communications company. In other words, they’re a great company to work with to get the most out of your digital tools (like your website). Plus, they’ll help you hone your approach to telling the story of your cause so it resonates with more people!
Why This Company Made Our List
Moonsail North offers a full spectrum of marketing and communications services, like:
- Branding
- Advertising and design services
- Paid and organic social media campaigns
Pricing
Contact Moonsail North for pricing information.
Camp Management
Does your organization offer engaging and memorable camping experiences? Then CIRCUITREE may be the partner you need on your side for managing all of your camp’s operations—from your website to camper transportation.
Why This Company Made Our List
CIRCUITREE’s services can support what you’re trying to accomplish with your camp website. For example, CIRCUITREE offers:
- Customizable online camp registration tools
- Partnership with Bunk1, a powerful camp parent portal app
- Camp staffing tools (such as online job applications and automated reference emails)
- Camper prospecting tools for increased camp reach
Pricing
Contact CIRCUITREE for pricing information.
Online Registration and Payment
CommunityPass offers online registration and payment software for schools (as well as recreation-based organizations).
Why This Company Made Our List
CommunityPass offers a wealth of school management tools that can enrich any school district or individual school website. Some of its features include:
- Instructor site creation
- Student information system (SIS) integration
- Attendance tracking, check-in and check-out tools, and capacity limit capabilities
- Fee and membership dues management tools
- School fundraising tools
Pricing
CommunityPass’s pricing ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 yearly. Get a custom quote from their team to learn more.
Dance Studio Management
DanceStudio-Pro specializes in dance studio management software, which can help your organization streamline everything from class schedules to recital ticketing! If your nonprofit fits into a very specific community niche (like dance studios, museums, arts centers, etc.), it’s helpful to look for solutions like this one that fit your unique needs.
Why This Company Made Our List
DanceStudio-Pro offers a wealth of studio management features, all of which can help you use your studio’s website to its full potential. Here are some of DanceStudio-Pro’s features:
- Tuition, registration, and ticket purchase processing
- Automated email, text, phone call, and app notification capabilities
- Studio parent portal
- Dance recital management tools
Pricing
DanceStudio-Pro’s Essentials plan is $45/month.
How To Choose a Nonprofit Website Design Company
As you begin considering potential partners, you’ll likely do Google searches, read through lists of recommended agencies (like the one above), read reviews online, and get recommendations from your colleagues in the nonprofit sector.
As you conduct your research, keep an eye out for these green flags that signal a nonprofit website design agency is worth connecting with:
- A focus on true partnerships. The agency you choose to work with should be flexible and willing to take your feedback into account as they design your website. After all, you know your supporter base and your mission best. You want to work with someone you can trust to help you bring your vision for your nonprofit website to life.
- A portfolio of nonprofit sites that you love. When you’re exploring an agency’s portfolio, don’t just look for pretty designs—look for nonprofit expertise. Do they have a proven track record of creating out-of-this-world sites for other nonprofits? If you see they’ve built a high-caliber website for an organization with a similar mission, you can be confident they’ll do the same for you.
- Best-in-class customer service. The agency you’re considering should have excellent customer reviews. (Hint: Ask for a list of customers to speak to before committing to a contract!) The last thing you want is to be left in the dark by your designer, watching deadlines pass by and wondering, “When is my website going to be ready?” Your partner should also be willing to provide maintenance and support so your website always runs like a well-oiled machine.
- Alignment with your budget and needs. The agency you’re considering should provide a transparent, detailed proposal that respects your budget. (Hint: Ask them how they handle new requests added mid-project to ensure you won’t be surprised by invoices.) The last thing you want is a final bill that’s double the estimate, or to be sold a complex, over-engineered site when a simpler solution would have worked. Your partner should listen to your specific needs first and then propose a solution that achieves your goals without unnecessary extras.
Finding a partner who displays these positive signs will set your project up for success from day one. This will make the difference between a simple vendor relationship and a true, mission-focused partnership. Keep this list handy as you start scheduling consultations.
Working with a Nonprofit Website Design Company: FAQ
Is working with a nonprofit website design company right for your organization? Let’s take a close look at some commonly asked questions that can help you decide.
What does a nonprofit website design agency do?
Typically, a web design agency or company assesses a client’s website needs, conceptualizes improvements based on the client’s vision, and designs the website.
To design websites, nonprofit web agencies use from-scratch code or a website-building tool (like WordPress). During this process, the web designers will work out the site’s structure and informational architecture, incorporate your visual brand into the overall look, and test your site’s functionality, performance, and accessibility. They’ll also push the site live once you give it the green light!
The best web design agencies won’t stop there. They’ll have your back beyond the initial site creation, offering regular maintenance and tune-ups to ensure everything continues to run smoothly.
Why should I work with a specialized nonprofit web design firm?
There are thousands of web design companies out there that do great work. However, not all websites are created equal. An agency that does nonprofit-specific work brings the expertise and understanding necessary to build a successful nonprofit website.
Here are three reasons why you should seek out nonprofit web design agencies firms:
- Nonprofit-specific web design companies respect the nature of nonprofit work. Specifically, these companies truly care about the organizations they work with. They want to see your mission succeed and understand that a well-designed website is a critical tool that helps you accomplish your goals.
- A nonprofit web design company recognizes the constraints you’re working within. These professionals know that tight budgets and timelines are serious realities, not just negotiation tactics. Nonprofit web design agencies understand the sector’s unique constraints and are willing to work with you to find solutions that respect your bottom line.
- Nonprofit web design agencies will understand your perspective as a nonprofit professional. Your organization needs a different approach than a small business or an individual. A nonprofit-specific agency already knows what donation forms, event landing pages, and CRM integrations are and why they’re crucial. They won’t waste your time with a learning curve and can immediately focus on equipping your site with the tools you actually need.
Ultimately, choosing a nonprofit-specific firm means you don’t have to waste time explaining why donation forms or CRM integration matter. They already know, allowing them to skip the learning curve and focus directly on building the tools that advance your mission.
Can I just design my nonprofit’s website myself?
Sure! If you decide a DIY nonprofit web design approach is the best route, launch your website using a website builder. There are plenty of options to choose from, including free, open-source platforms and nonprofit-specific tools like the ones we covered earlier.
With the right website builder, you can create the site of your dreams without having to reach out to a nonprofit web designer. Plus, once your website is all set up, you’ll be able to build out your content and update your site using a visual builder instead of writing out code.
Interested in learning more about designing on your own? Check out these guides from the Cornershop Creative team to get started:
- WordPress for Nonprofits: How to Build a Stellar Website
- 15+ Nonprofit Web Design Best Practices to Stand Out
However, there are some drawbacks to designing your own nonprofit website using just a website builder, including:
- Many website builders have a steep learning curve that can prevent users from getting the most value possible out of the tool and applying web design best practices.
- You’ll gain access to a number of pre-built templates and themes for your site, but your site won’t have a truly customized look.
- When something breaks or needs updating, you could be stuck without a dedicated support team (and may have to resort to digging through support forums for answers!).
If what you’re looking for is a custom-made website built just for your nonprofit’s specific needs, you’ll want to work with a nonprofit website design agency.
How much does it cost to build a website for a nonprofit?
If you’re taking a DIY approach, your main monetary costs will be the monthly or annual fees for the site builder and your domain name. The hidden cost, however, is the significant staff time required to learn the platform, design the pages, and manage the project, which pulls your team away from other mission-critical work.
There are more charges associated with hiring nonprofit website designers, but the result will be a professional, custom-built site that is strategically designed to engage supporters, securely process donations, and scale with your mission.
Most design agencies either charge a per-hour or per-project rate, with additional fees for things like support, maintenance, and other services. The best designers know that web design is anything but “one-size-fits-all.” Therefore, it can be difficult for an agency to give you a firm price until they have all of the necessary information about what you’re expecting from the final product.
Here’s our advice for staying within your budget and getting pricing information up front:
- Ask about pricing upfront when reaching out to potential web design partners. This will establish early on that your bottom line is a priority.
- Submit a request for proposal (RFP) to potential partners with all the information your organization has to offer about your budget, website needs, and audience. Then, the agency can get back to you with information about how they’d approach the project and educated estimates of the total cost.
- Reach out to your colleagues in the nonprofit space who have worked with web design agencies before! They’ll be able to give you recommendations and share what their experience was like with their specific design company’s pricing model.
Again, a nonprofit web design agency understands how important it is for your project to stay within your organization’s budget. Make sure you give strong consideration to partners like these who will keep your nonprofit’s needs in mind.
Additional Resources for Your Nonprofit Web Design Journey
Remember, as you’re embarking on your journey to create an engaging, functional nonprofit website, it will be critical to partner with a nonprofit web designer that has your needs and interests in mind throughout the process. Look for a partner who will be excited about your cause and help you bring it to life online!
There you have it—our full walkthrough of the top nonprofit web design agencies. Want to keep reading about boosting your nonprofit’s web presence? Check out these recommended resources:
- 20+ Best WordPress Support Services: Explore Your Options
- SEO for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide & 10+ Tips
- Google Analytics for Nonprofits: The Ultimate Guide
- Choosing a Nonprofit CMS: The Savvy Shopper’s Full Guide
- How to Create a Political Campaign Website: Tips & Examples
