Revised with new information as of March 22, 2011
For Small Nonprofits, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, etc.:
Finding and Choosing A Web Designer
Keep in mind a mistake that many organizations have made: handing all Web site development -- from content creation to regular maintenance -- to a consultant or to only one staff member. This is an inefficient and costly way to handle your Web activities! ALL STAFF should have access to and input regarding your organization's Web site, to ensure it reflects the mission and the qualities of your organization and individual departments, and to ensure that you don't create a costly dependance on an outside consultant.
To keep your Web designer costs at a minimum, create a file on your computer for your department's (or your entire organization's) Web material, and put text-only versions of brochures, articles, newsletters, flyers, press releases, memos, annual reports, etc. produced by your organization, and any other information you might want on your Web site, in this folder (more content suggestions here). This is the information you will give to your Web developer, so he or she doesn't spend time converting files to text.
Use your designer only to convert the information to Web language, design the graphics and page layout, and create the necessary scripting for things like a user response form. Someone in-house or a volunteer should be able to make regular changes to the site without needing assistance of the web designer; therefore, the designer should create pages that allow these changes to happen easily.
What to look for in a Web Designer
Someone who
- provides you with references of satisfied clients (if he or she is a professional)
- provides you with examples of online work (even a volunteer should have this)
- speaks in as non-technical terms as possible
- is committed to creating a site that someone in-house or a volunteer can make regular changes to without needing assistance of the designer
- is willing to work with staff and volunteers in the Web site development, listening to their wants and needs for the site
- turns over ownership of all graphics created for the site to your organization
- has a history of working with nonprofits, NGOs, grass roots organizations, schools, and other mission-based organizations, understanding such organization's limited resources, unique needs and community focus
- understands how to make a site accessible to people with disabilities
Also see Finding a Computer/Network Consultant for more tips.
How to Find a Web Designer
- Look at Web sites of mission-based groups and small businesses in your geographic area, particularly groups that are similar to you in focus or budget size. Note which web sites you like and why. Then call or email those organizations and ask them who developed their site, and if this person might be willing to contract or volunteer with your organization to do the same. Interview candidates, including volunteers (just because a person isn't going to be paid to design a web site doesn't mean you shouldn't be selective) and then choose the person you feel most comfortable with (see this page for what to look for an interview).
- Contact your local Internet society, Web designers professional group, computer user group, professional associations for particular groups (such as women who work in technology -- in Austin, Texas, that group is called HerDomain). A search of a Web directory like Google can help you find these groups. Email these groups with a description of of the web design assignment, noting if you are looking for a contractor or volunteer.
- Tell all of your staff and current volunteers that you are looking for a web designer and where anyone interested should send their expressions of interest in the post. Note if you are looking for a paid consultant or a volunteer.
- Post a request for a web design volunteer to your city's version of Craigslist. Note if you are looking for a paid consultant or a volunteer.
- Contact the marketing departments, career centers, volunteer centers and design departments of all nearby universities. Note if you are looking for a paid consultant or a volunteer.
- If you are looking for a volunteer web designer, post a request for a web design volunteer to your local volunteer center (if your community has such).
- If you are looking for a volunteer web designer and you are in the USA, post a request for a web design volunteer to VolunteerMatch.
- If you are looking for a volunteer web designer, post a request for a web design volunteer to Idealist.
- If your organization works in or for communities in the developing world, you can recruit an online volunteer to design your web site via the United Nations Online Volunteering Service.
- Here is a large list of volunteer matching sites for several countries (not just the USA)
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