With numerous interactions happening online, a solid website may be a must-have for nonprofit organizations. A well-designed website allows visitors to attach with and understand your mission. it is also a chance to interact potential donors and encourage them to support your organization.

To help you create a stand-out web presence, a panel of Forbes Nonprofit Council members share some features nonprofit websites must include to appeal to current and prospective members or supporters. Follow their recommendations to start out improving your own landing page.

Forbes Nonprofit Council members share key features of nonprofit websites.

Photos courtesy of the individual members.

1. Accessibility

A key feature of a nonprofit website is a person's ability to urge to resources in but three clicks. Once supporters can find and access resources quickly, then worry about providing more information or cool features. Technology is great and is usually improving. we should always cash in of it, but do not forget that a nonprofit's website should be designed to form it easy to urge help. - Magnus Johnson, Mission 22

2. Community Invitations to urge Involved

I think nonprofit websites are often heavily focused on driving donations. As a result, the mission, the why and therefore the how stray . Websites are so program-driven that they ditch the importance of inviting their community to urge involved by donating, volunteering, raising funds, etc. Striking a balance is vital . - Andrea Schwartz, Dear Jack Foundation

Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?

3. Logical Navigation

The website must be logical and navigable. it's not enough to possess information on a site—the visitor must be ready to find it. the simplest thanks to do that is to interrupt the knowledge down by viewer type and make sure that their experience is simple . If possible, add a monitored chat room that gives quick responses to optimize the viewer experience. - Elizabeth Kumbhari, Cultural Vistas, Inc.

4. Explanation Of Member Benefits

An explanation of member benefits must be apparent on a nonprofit’s website. While many individuals want to support nonprofits out of passion, many of us also want to ask “What’s in it for me?” To appeal to current and future members, the nonprofit must be transparent about where the member’s donation will go and what they're going to receive reciprocally . - Dr. Sherry McAllister, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress

5. a talk Feature

Nonprofits should offer a talk feature on their website. As consumers or clients get more technologically savvy, access to quick information and question answers virtually is critical. Just make certain that you simply list specific times for chat if limited which you've got someone who can respond very quickly! you'd be amazed what percentage people will use this feature. - Kim Jefferies, Brighton Center

6. CTAs

Stories about impact and clear calls to action are critically important for today’s nonprofit websites. Some research indicates that folks spend a mean of 10-45 seconds on an internet site . this suggests you would like to quickly and clearly communicate the difference their engagement makes, both to individuals and therefore the wider community, and the way they will take action to hitch your organization’s work. - Kyle Zimmer, First Book

7. Mobile-Friendly Design

Websites must be mobile-friendly because the number of active mobile internet users is increasing. We all depend upon our mobile devices. to stay users actively engaged, nonprofit websites need to be user-friendly on these devices. this might seem simple, but not always easy to realize . Nonprofit websites should make the shift now to the present “must-have” feature to form these websites effective within the future. - Victoria Burkhart, The quite Giving Company

8. Simple User Experience

Will Rogers said, "You never get a second chance to form a primary impression." Businesses and nonprofits today must have an internet site that's mobile-friendly and straightforward to navigate. Make content clean, concise and straightforward to follow. we would like stakeholders to possess a rewarding online experience from the beginning . Mobile-friendly may be a must. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation

9. Interactive Space

One of the most features of the web site is an interactive space with a community manager who can share news and events. The manager can invite members and also sponsors to propose new ideas to enhance the actions of the organization and enhance the impact of the mission. This interactive space should have a podcast section to ask guests and supply updated material for the audience. People are asking more for continuous fresh material. - Lobna Karoui, AI Exponential Thinker

10. Forums and Outlets for brand spanking new Members

Nonprofit websites must offer forums and outlets for brand spanking new members to get entangled within the work of building a far better world. the simplest nonprofits are focal points of change that usher in a huge array of resources and strategically deploy them to effect change. For an interested volunteer, an internet site should offer clear and direct avenues to become incorporated into the work. - Robin Ganzert, American Humane

11. No Friction

Clear navigation that works on mobile devices plants the seeds of trust. Remove friction. How easy is it for the visitor to use for services or become a supporter? What about your big why or a story or quote that captures their heart? Our communities got to trust that we respect their time, attention and desire to possess a meaningful connection. - KellyAnn Romanych, Veterans Legal Institute

12. Well-Researched Marquee

An easy-to-navigate website is critical to the success of any nonprofit. What's important is making the straightforward stuff easy. Are your resources available during a click? Is your donate button front and center? If you run a helpline, does one have a talk feature on your site? Do the research on why people are visiting your site and make those top items your site's marquee. - Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island

13. ‘Connected Giving’ Platforms

One of the keys for nonprofit websites is that the idea of "connected giving" platforms. I see too many websites where the donation experience is transactional and completely different from the remainder of the web site . The donation platform must work to attach the mission of the organization with the donation happening . - Bill High, The Signatry

14. Social Media Links

Nonprofit websites are often rather static and sometimes updated. Conversely, a corporation posts information in real-time on their social media accounts. during a rapidly changing environment, it becomes important to create websites that feature links to social media. during this way, website visitors can quickly access up-to-date information about the organization anytime and from anywhere. - Christopher Washington, Franklin University

15. Events Calendar

The organization's website is that the most vital element of a contemporary digital nonprofit. an efficient events calendar that creates registration and payment easy is significant . It should also place the event on the customers' calendars in order that they don't forget to attend the event. Reminders of the upcoming event have also become standard. All of those elements show that the organization is actually digital. - Randy Wolken, MACNY - The Manufacturers Association