{"id":456,"date":"2026-08-13T14:04:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T12:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/?p=456"},"modified":"2026-10-16T14:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T12:06:18","slug":"what-belongs-on-an-npo-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/what-belongs-on-an-npo-website\/","title":{"rendered":"What Belongs on an NPO Website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group tbo-article-review has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:#4BA5CA;border-left-width:4px;background-color:#f3f9fc;padding-top:12px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:16px\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Written by:<\/strong> Ridhwaan Khan, CA(SA)<br><strong>Last updated:<\/strong> 12 October 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good NPO website does not need to be complicated. It needs to help people quickly understand who you are, what you do, who you serve and how they can support you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For donors, funders and partners, your website is often the first place they check before deciding whether to trust your organisation. If the right information is missing, unclear or hard to find, people may leave before they ever ask a question or make a donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why your NPO website matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your website is more than an online brochure. It is a trust checkpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When someone visits your site, they are usually trying to answer a few simple questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is this organisation real?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What work do they do?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who benefits from their work?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can I trust them with my donation or support?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I take the next step?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your website answers those questions clearly, it helps donors and funders feel more confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What every NPO website should explain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with the basics. A visitor should not have to search hard to understand what your organisation does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your website should explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your organisation\u2019s purpose<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who you help<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where you work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What programmes or services you offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why your work matters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How people can support you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This information should appear in plain language. Avoid long internal descriptions that only make sense to people already familiar with your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Show clear donation options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your website asks people to support your NPO, the donation path must be easy to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure your <a href=\"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/how-to-make-your-donation-page-easier-to-trust\/\">donation page<\/a> or donation button explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How someone can donate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What payment options are available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether donations are once-off or recurring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What the donation may help support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What happens after someone gives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A donor should not have to guess where to click or what their donation will be used for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build trust with proof<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trust is one of the most important parts of an NPO website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can build trust by showing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Registration details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Board or leadership information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testimonials or partner feedback<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photos or stories from your work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual reports or impact summaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clear information about donation records and receipts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your NPO is approved to issue <a href=\"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/who-can-issue-section-18a-receipts\/\">Section 18A receipts<\/a>, explain that clearly and carefully. Do not overstate it. Simply make it easy for eligible donors to understand what documentation they may receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make contact details easy to find<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People should be able to contact your organisation without searching through the whole website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Email address<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical location or area of operation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact form<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social media links<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Office hours, if relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If donors, funders or beneficiaries cannot reach you easily, it can create doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use stories, not only statements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is useful to say what your NPO does. It is even stronger to show what your work changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use short impact stories to explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who was helped<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What problem was addressed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What support made possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What changed because of the work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stories help visitors connect emotionally, but they should still be clear, respectful and truthful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep the website simple on mobile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people will view your website on a phone. If the site is hard to read or difficult to navigate on mobile, they may leave quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Text is easy to read<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buttons are easy to tap<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Donation links are visible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Menus are simple<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Images load properly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Important information is not hidden too far down the page<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A simple mobile experience often matters more than a complicated desktop design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep information updated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An outdated website can make people question whether the organisation is still active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Review your website regularly and update:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Programmes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>donation information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>team or board details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>impact information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reports or documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>key deadlines or announcements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even small updates can help your website feel current and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An effective NPO website does not need to say everything. It needs to say the right things clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your website explains your purpose, shows proof, makes donations easy and helps people contact you, it becomes more than a digital page. It becomes a trust-building tool for donors, funders, partners and the people you serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tb-article-cta\">\n  <h3>Need website-ready resources for your NPO?<\/h3>\n  <p>Explore practical website assets and guidance to help your NPO look clearer, more credible and easier to support online.<\/p>\n  <a href=\"\/resources\/website-assets\/\">Explore Website Assets<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"tb-back-to-articles\" href=\"\/resources\/articles\/\">\u2190 Back to Articles<\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Official guidance and further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sars.gov.za\/businesses-and-employers\/tax-exempt-institutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SARS: Tax-exempt institutions<\/a> \u2014 tax and donation-reporting guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dsd.gov.za\/index.php\/16-obligations\/28-obligations?highlight=WyJyZWdpc3RyYXRpb24iLCJzdWJtaXQiLCJucG8iLCJucG8ncyJd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DSD: Obligations of registered NPOs<\/a> \u2014 NPO recordkeeping, financial reporting and registration obligations.<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/it3d\" style=\"display:inline-block;padding:10px 18px;background-color:#4BA5CA;color:#ffffff;border-radius:6px;text-decoration:none;font-family:Poppins,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.4;\">IT3(d) home<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The key information donors and funders expect to see online.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[14,23,13,25,22,24],"class_list":["post-456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-website","tag-donations","tag-donor-trust","tag-fundraising","tag-npo-credibility","tag-npo-website","tag-website-content"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=456"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1012,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/456\/revisions\/1012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/10bucksonly.co.za\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}