Nonprofit Website Checklist

The Essential Nonprofit Website Checklist for 2025

A well-designed website is no longer a luxury for nonprofits. It is your digital front door, a critical source of trust, and often the first place survivors, donors, and volunteers turn when seeking information. As we move into 2025, your nonprofit’s website must do more than look professional. It needs to be accessible, mobile-friendly, emotionally safe, and conversion-ready. Whether your organization supports victims of domestic violence or advances other causes, this checklist will help ensure your website builds credibility and drives real impact.

1. Why Your Website Still Matters in 2025
2. Accessibility for All Users
3. Mobile Responsiveness and Speed
4. Clear Safety Messaging for Survivors
5. Streamlined Donation and Conversion Paths
6. Search Engine Optimization Best Practices
7. Security and Privacy Protection
8. Optimize Your Site with RJ’s Digital Solutions

Why Your Website Still Matters in 2025

With rising digital noise and shifting donor behaviors, your website is more important than ever. It is the one place where you control your brand, your message, and your user experience. For nonprofits supporting vulnerable populations like domestic violence survivors, it is also a critical lifeline. An outdated or confusing website can turn people away. A modern, trustworthy site builds credibility and gets results. According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, 68 percent of donors are more likely to give through a well-designed website.

Accessibility for All Users

Accessibility ensures everyone can use your site regardless of ability. This includes people who are blind, use screen readers, or navigate without a mouse. Your website should meet WCAG 2.1 guidelines which cover contrast ratios, keyboard navigation, and alt text for images. Use tools like WAVE to audit your accessibility. For organizations supporting trauma survivors, accessibility also includes emotional design. Avoid flashing content or overwhelming visuals that can cause distress.

Mobile Responsiveness and Speed

Over 60 percent of nonprofit website traffic comes from mobile devices. Your site must look great and function smoothly on all screen sizes. Use responsive design that automatically adjusts layout and font sizes. Test on real devices and platforms. Load times also matter. A site that takes more than three seconds to load can lose up to 40 percent of users. Compress images, minimize plugins, and use hosting optimized for speed. Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a free tool to identify improvements.

Clear Safety Messaging for Survivors

If your nonprofit supports people affected by domestic violence or trauma, it is essential to include visible, calming language that reassures visitors they are in a safe place. Add quick exit buttons that redirect users to a neutral site. Avoid triggering imagery and be careful with headlines. Include clear navigation to resources, crisis lines, and service information. This messaging should be integrated into your homepage and every relevant landing page.

Streamlined Donation and Conversion Paths

Make it easy to give. Your donation button should be prominent, and the donation process should take no more than two or three clicks. Include preset donation amounts, recurring giving options, and mobile-friendly forms. Test your forms for clarity and ease of use. Use trust signals such as security badges, impact stats, and testimonials. Every page should have a clear call to action, whether it is donate, sign up, or get help.

Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

Your website cannot help people if they cannot find it. Focus on SEO to rank for terms your community is searching for, like “domestic violence help near me” or “support for women’s shelter.” Use clear titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text. Include internal links between your most important pages and blog content. Tools like Yoast SEO or SEMRush can help you optimize your site structure and improve visibility.

Security and Privacy Protection

Nonprofits collect sensitive information, especially those working with survivors. Prioritize security with SSL certificates, encrypted donation forms, and up-to-date software. Include a transparent privacy policy and give users control over cookies and data collection. For any contact or intake forms, minimize what you collect to only what is necessary.

Optimize Your Site with RJ’s Digital Solutions

Is your nonprofit’s website ready for 2025? Whether you need an accessibility audit, a design refresh, or a full rebuild, RJ’s Digital Solutions can help. We specialize in creating trauma-informed websites that build trust and increase impact. Contact us today to make sure your digital front door is as strong and welcoming as the work you do.