Web hosting services with domain name option  $25 - $100 setup 

Monthly hosting services                      $10 - $40 monthly

At minimum, such sites should allow you to make your own changes to the Web site yourself immediately (you don't have to forward your information to someone who will then upload it for you). Also, your web address will be something like http://www.acmeuniversity.edu/mynonprofit/

When considering your Web address in this situation, your URL should be:

• in all lowercase letters

• not use an "underscore" (/my_nonprofit/) or a "tilde" (/~mynonprofit/); it's difficult to say such addresses over the phone, and many people will get your address VERBALLY from a staff member

• as short as possible

• easy to say over the phone (sometimes, this is more important than keeping it short

There are a lot of group's out there who seemingly are offering great deals for not-for-profit to get on the Web... great at first but, in the end, aren't so great.

For instance: One such deal says you get a free page (one), and two free links, one of which can be your email (two links! wow!) and your own graphic (one). Yipee!!! And its free for six months. So you go around and promote your web site and generate traffic etc. But at the end of your free six months, you find out that there's now a charge -- a STEEP charge. You can choose to pay - or take your site down, and have to remove the address from your letterhead, newsletter, etc.

Another deal says you get a free web page, with the understanding that you will not list your information on any other Web site!

This is not to say there aren't good free Web site providers out there. But before going with a Web site provider that offers you a "free" Web site, ask these questions:

1. what are your rates after the first six months (or whatever the offer) of free service?

2. how much information can I put on my Web site? can I put up graphics, such as my agency logo?

3. would you charge for links from our Web site to other Web sites or to an e-mail address?

4. would you allow cgi scripts on my site (for forms)? would you charge for cgi scripts on my site?

5. what would the URL/ Web site address be for our home page?

6. how easy will it be for me to change information on our site? can I do it from my own computer, or do I have to provide the information to someone at your organization? if the latter is true, how long will it take for information to be changed once I provide it to you? in what form do I have to provide the changes?

7. what are the names and Web addresses for some of your long-term clients?

8. if I eventually establish my own Web site, will you keep a link to my site on the page where my page used to be on your Web site? If so, for how long?

There are "free providers" who aren't trying to take advantage of not-for-profit organizations! However, these free Web sites usually have limitations regarding the amount of information you can put up and your ability to change information (you have to provide the changes to a third party, who makes the changes as his or her time allows). Even with these limitations, this is a great way for an organization to get started with an online presence, or, a great way to get links to your own Web site.

If taking up a company's offer of a "free" web page is your only option (i.e., you can't have a web site of your own), here are some suggestions for going with such a provider:

• your web address will be something like http://www.freeservice.com/mynonprofit/
  When considering your Web address in this situation, your URL should be:
  • in all lowercase letters
    
  • not use an "underscore" (/my_nonprofit/) or a "tilde" (/~mynonprofit/); it's difficult to say such addresses over the phone, and many people will get your address VERBALLY from a staff member
    
  • as short as possible
    
  • easy to say over the phone (sometimes, this is more important than keeping it short

• If your organization does not check its e-mail account often, do not put your e-mail address on the free Web site. Users believe an e-mail account on a Web site means they will get a quick response if they contact you that way. Not making a quick response gives a bad impression of your organization (just as not answering your phone or never returning phone calls). Instead, put your mailing address and phone number prominantly on your home page.

• If you cannot make changes instantly from your own computer, then make your pages "timeless" rather than "timely" (i.e., the information doesn't change much over the course of a few months). These could include:
  • a home page with a brief description of your organization, mission statement, mailing address and phone number, who to call for the latest information, how to volunteer with your organization, etc.

  • pages that list staff and phone numbers, directions to your agency, parking information, a list of ongoing volunteer opportunities and information on how to volunteer, etc.
  • a page listing your organizationšs programs and services

  • an essay by your executive director, a profile of one of someone who benefitted from your services, etc.

  Take a look at Promoting Your Not-for-Profit Organization Online for more information.

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