How can you design a website that reflects your community's values and needs?

1 Know your goals

Before you start designing your website, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What are the main objectives of your project? Who are you trying to reach and influence? How do you want them to interact with your website? Having a clear and specific set of goals will help you focus your website design and content on what matters most for your community.

2 Choose your platform

There are many options for building a website, from using ready-made templates to coding from scratch. Depending on your budget, skills, and preferences, you can choose the platform that best suits your needs. Some popular platforms for community organizing websites are WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly. These platforms offer various features, such as drag-and-drop editors, customization options, and integrations with social media and email marketing tools. However, you should also consider the security, accessibility, and performance of your platform, as well as the support and maintenance it provides.

3 Design your layout

The layout of your website is how you organize and present your information and content. It should be easy to navigate, intuitive, and consistent across different pages. You should also consider the principles of responsive design, which means that your website adapts to different screen sizes and devices. A good layout should have a clear hierarchy, with the most important elements at the top, such as your logo, menu, and headline. It should also have a balance of white space, images, and text, to avoid clutter and distraction. And it should have a clear call to action, such as a button, a form, or a link, that invites your visitors to take the next step.

4 Write your content

The content of your website is what you communicate to your visitors through words, images, videos, and other media. It should be relevant, engaging, and persuasive, as well as aligned with your goals and values. You should write your content with your audience in mind, using a tone and language that resonates with them. You should also write your content with SEO (search engine optimization) in mind, using keywords and phrases that your audience might use to search for your topic. And you should write your content with clarity and simplicity, using short sentences, paragraphs, and headings, and avoiding jargon and acronyms.

5 Test your website

Before you launch your website, you need to test it to make sure it works as intended. You should test your website on different browsers, devices, and screen sizes, and check for any errors, broken links, or slow loading times. You should also test your website from the perspective of your visitors, and see if it meets their expectations and needs. You can use tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Hotjar to monitor and analyze your website's performance and user behavior. And you should also ask for feedback from your community members, partners, and supporters, and see if they have any suggestions or comments on your website.

6 Update your website

Your website is not a static product, but a dynamic and evolving tool. You need to update your website regularly to keep it fresh, relevant, and effective. You should update your website with new content, such as blog posts, news, events, stories, and resources, that showcase your project's progress and impact. You should also update your website with new features, such as social media feeds, newsletters, surveys, petitions, and donations, that enhance your website's functionality and engagement. And you should also update your website with new feedback, insights, and data, that inform your website's design and content.