Web Design for Charities and Non-Profits

What a charity website has to do

Charity sites serve several audiences at once: people who need your help, donors, volunteers, funders checking your credibility, and partner organisations. Each needs a clear route. People in need should reach your services and contact details within one tap. Donors need a quick, trustworthy donation page. Funders want governance, accounts and impact. We plan the navigation around those journeys before designing anything.

Funders and donors often check the Charity Commission register before giving, so your name and number on the site must match the register exactly. If your working name differs from your registered name, say both.

Registered status, numbers and badges

Section 39 of the Charities Act 2011 applies to registered charities whose gross income in the last financial year exceeded £10,000. Their registered status must be stated in legible characters in notices, advertisements and other documents issued by or for the charity that solicit money or property, as well as on invoices, receipts and cheques. Charity sector commentary has long treated donation web pages as falling within this, and the simplest compliant approach is a clear line on every page: 'Registered charity number 123456 (England and Wales)'.

On the sites we build:

• the footer carries your registered name, the words 'registered charity' and your number
• the donate page repeats it next to the form
• if you are a charitable company, the footer also shows the company number and registered office, as company trading disclosure rules require
• if you are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, its digital badge links to your directory entry so supporters can verify you in one click. The Regulator says it will seek removal of the badge from any organisation that is not registered

Donations and Gift Aid that work

Gift Aid lets you claim back basic rate tax on donations from UK taxpayers, so a missing declaration is money left on the table. A valid declaration needs the charity's name, the donor's full name and home address including postcode, whether it covers this donation or future and past ones too, and a statement that the donor understands they must pay enough UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax to cover the claim. Charity Tax Group guidance confirms declarations can be given online with a tick box and do not need a signature. HMRC matches names against tax records, so full names are best.

We build donation pages with your payment provider, suggested amounts that link to real outcomes, a monthly giving option and a Gift Aid tick box with the correct wording. Donations go straight to your provider, so card details never touch the website. We track completed donations in Analytics so you can see which appeals and pages raise the most, and send donors to a thank-you page that suggests one next step, such as signing up to your newsletter or sharing the appeal.

Accessible by design

Many charities support people who are disabled, older or digitally excluded, so accessibility is not optional. We design to WCAG 2.2 AA as a target: proper heading structure, colour contrast of at least 4.5:1 for body text, visible focus states, form labels and error messages that make sense when read aloud, and text alternatives for images. We avoid putting key information only in PDFs. Annual reports and policies become web pages where possible, with a download for those who want one. See accessible web design.

What it costs

Small community groups can start with the Starter package from £250 + VAT for up to five pages. Most registered charities choose Business from £500 + VAT for up to 15 pages, copywriting, schema, conversion tracking on donations and a training session for staff and trustees. Selling event tickets or merchandise is an ecommerce build from £750 + VAT. Membership areas or case management systems are quoted. Domains, hosting and premium plugins are listed separately. See prices or get in touch.

What you get

• Donate page with your payment provider, Gift Aid declaration and charity details
• Footer with registered charity number, and company number if incorporated
• Impact pages that turn your annual report into readable stories
• Volunteer and event sign-up forms with clear privacy wording
• Accessible design with proper headings, contrast and keyboard navigation
• Training so staff and trustees can update news and events

Prices and how it works

Websites from £250 + VAT, business websites from £500 + VAT and ecommerce from £750 + VAT. Small changes are £45 an hour + VAT. You get a fixed quote before we start.

1. Free chat

   Tell us about your business, who your customers are and what the website needs to do. No charge, no obligation.

2. Fixed quote

   You get a fixed price and a clear list of what is included, in writing, before anything starts.

3. Design

   We plan the pages and design the site around your customers, then share it for your comments.

4. Build and test

   We build it mobile-first, write or polish the copy, set up SEO foundations and test it on real phones.

5. Launch and hand over

   We launch, connect analytics and Search Console, and show you how to update it. You own it all.

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