For Nonprofits & NGOs: Web Tools & Tutorials

Revised with new information as of May 14, 2011

Web Tools & Tutorials

You will have to decide for yourself what is best: developing your Web site yourself, with the resources (human and technical) in your organization, seeking outside assistance, either from a volunteer or from a consultant. A good way to help you decide is to look at the development of your publications, such as your newsletter. How much of such publications are produced in-house by staff, and how much is produced by a volunteer or outside consultant? Your Web site development and upkeep should follow a similar process.

It is possible to do a Web site for your organization yourself. When I first launched the Coyote Communications Web site, I used my little Mac Classic II with 8 megabytes of RAM -- just to show that a lot can be done with just a little technology. I had also never taken a class in .html when I did the first site, HOWEVER, I also had many years of experience in professional communications, including developing publications and setting up internal communications, so all that writing, layout, design, quality control, and software experience helped - my site quickly went to the top of search results on various web search engines.
;-)

You need to think about what you want out of your Web site, what the rest of the staff wants out of the Web site, what your customers want out of your Web site, and how you are going to get there. Take a look at Coyote Communications' in-depth tip sheets on Web site development, to help you define the purpose of your Web site and understand the basics about its development (just as you do your other publications!).