Charities and non-profit organisations
Web Design for Charities
Web design for charities has to stretch a limited budget a long way. A charity website needs to explain the cause, earn donors' trust, take donations and Gift Aid smoothly, recruit volunteers and be easy for staff or volunteers to update. This guide covers what UK charities should display, how to design a donation journey that works and how to keep the site manageable.
What your charity must show
Under the Charities Act 2011, registered charities in England and Wales with a gross income over £10,000 must state that they're a registered charity on documents including their website. Most charities show their registered charity number in the footer of every page. If you're also a company, your company details need to appear too.
Donation journeys that work
Every extra field in a donation form loses some donors. Offer suggested amounts with a short note on what each achieves, monthly and one-off options, and common payment methods. Build the Gift Aid declaration into the form using HMRC's required wording so eligible donors can add 25% at no cost to them.
Show the impact
Donors want to know what happens to their money. Use specific stories and figures: "£20 pays for a week of meals for one family" is more persuasive than "help us make a difference". Publish your annual report or a summary, and link to your Charity Commission register entry for transparency.
Easy to update, easy to use
Charity sites are often updated by staff and volunteers with limited time. Choose a content management system that's simple to use, and keep the design flexible enough to add news and events without a developer. Make the site accessible: readable text, good contrast, descriptive links and forms that work with screen readers.
Charity website checklist
- Registered charity number in the footer
- Company number too if you're a charitable company
- Donation form with suggested amounts and Gift Aid
- Specific impact stories and figures
- Volunteer sign-up and event pages
- Accessible design and simple content editing
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Do small charities need to show their charity number?+
Registered charities with gross income over £10,000 must state their registered status on their website. Smaller charities often show their number anyway because it builds trust.
What wording do I need for Gift Aid?+
HMRC sets out what a Gift Aid declaration must include. Use their model wording or a donation platform that applies it for you.
Should we use a donation platform or our own form?+
Platforms are quick to set up and handle Gift Aid, but they take fees and send donors elsewhere. A form on your own site keeps donors with you; many charities use both.
Related guides
Sources
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