SEO and Websites for Charities
Discover the importance of website design for charities and non profit organisations in the UK. Learn how to establish trust, drive donations, and engage your community through effective digital strategies, including SEO.
Website Services for Charities
A professional online presence is essential for UK charities and non-profit organisations, who operate in a competitive landscape of gaining public attention, trust, and ultimately, support.
Having a high-performing website and a strong Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategy can make a monumental difference. Below, we explore why and how UK charities should leverage these digital tools.
Why Do Charities Need a Well-Designed Website?
Below we provide the 4 top reasons that charities need a website that is user-friendly and well designed.
Provide a Trusted, Self-owned and Mainly Uncensored Source of Information
Owning a website gives charities an independent platform to disseminate information, free from the constraints and noise of social media. This is crucial for establishing a trustful relationship with the public. A well-designed website can include a blog for updates, a knowledge base for FAQs, and free resources to support the charity’s cause.
Platform for Selling Merchandise to Raise Funds
Top charities like Great Ormond Street Hospital and Cancer Research UK utilise online shops as a revenue stream. A well-designed website can seamlessly integrate e-commerce elements, allowing visitors to purchase merchandise, thus contributing to the charity.
Trusted Platform for Community and Communication
Community boards on charity websites allow for direct, meaningful interaction among supporters and charity workers. Through these boards, the charity can update its community about upcoming events, campaigns, and other important developments.
Recruit Support and Volunteers
A website isn’t just a one-way information channel. It’s also a recruitment tool. Calls to action can encourage website visitors to volunteer or participate in events, thus growing the charity’s support base.
What are the Top Charities in UK?
According to You.Gov the top 10 most popular charities in The UK are:
How to Make SEO Work for UK Charities: An In-Depth Look
SEO can often seem like a complex, ever-changing landscape that’s hard to navigate. However, for charities in the UK, it’s crucial to have a good grip on this digital marketing technique to increase visibility and, by extension, support for your cause. Let’s delve deeper into how to tailor an effective SEO strategy for UK-based charities.
Understanding Your Audience
The first step is to understand your target audience. Who are the people most likely to support your charity? What are they searching for online? Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor search terms that are driving traffic to your website. This data is invaluable for tailoring an SEO strategy that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience.
Keyword Research for Well-known Causes
If you’re a charity dedicated to a well-known cause like cancer research or animal welfare, a lot of the initial SEO work has already been done for you. Your job is to find the right keywords that potential supporters might use in their search queries.
- Analyse Competing Charities: Start by looking at the keywords other charities in your sector are targeting. There are several tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush that can help you do this.
- Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer, more specific keywords that are less competitive and easier to rank for. For example, instead of targeting “cancer research,” you could target “breast cancer research in the UK.”
- Content Creation: Write high-quality blog posts, guides, and articles that incorporate these keywords naturally. Quality content not only helps with SEO but also establishes you as an authority in your field.
Raising Awareness for Lesser-Known Causes
If your charity is focused on a cause that isn’t as widely known, your SEO strategy will need to be more comprehensive and creative.
- Social Media and Paid Ads: As awareness is lower, initial visibility will need to be built through social media campaigns and paid ads. But remember, this is to complement, not replace, your SEO efforts.
- Community Engagement: Forums, social media groups, and other online communities can be good places to generate interest. Engage in these platforms meaningfully to draw attention to your cause.
- Content Partnerships: Partner with blogs or websites that have a similar target audience to write guest posts. This not only provides valuable backlinks but also exposes your charity to a wider audience.
Basic SEO Checklist for UK Charities
- Is Your Website Up to Date?: Ensure that your website’s information is current. Google rewards freshness.
- Easy Navigation and Readability: Your website should be user-friendly. The longer visitors stay, the more Google views your site as valuable.
- Website Security: An SSL certificate (resulting in HTTPS rather than HTTP in your web address) is essential. Google warns users if a site is not secure, which will harm your SEO rankings.
- Mobile Optimisation: With the increasing use of smartphones, a mobile-friendly website isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity.
- SEO Basics: Don’t forget the nitty-gritty details like Meta Titles, Descriptions, readable URLs, a sitemap, and ensuring the site is indexable by Google.
Are You Ready to Take Your UK Charity to The Next Level?
If you’re a UK charity aiming to build or sustain trust, awareness, and engagement, a well-crafted website and a solid SEO strategy are crucial. Successful examples abound, from Great Ormond Street Hospital to Macmillan Cancer Support and the RSPCA. If your charity is looking to make a significant impact, investing in your website and digital marketing can represent funds well spent.
Would you like to know more? Reach out for an exploratory conversation on how these tools can be tailor-made to serve your charity’s specific needs.
