According to data, people decide whether or not to stay on a webpage in three seconds.  Two-thirds of people also check out an organization's website before donating.  This means that if your website isn't visually appealing, engaging and easy to navigate, you're probably losing some potential donors.

You'll be happy to know that today most websites are easy to redesign at a relatively low-cost.  For example, redesigning the look of and updating the content for a 15 page website could start as low as $3,000.  

Today, it's also easy to keep your website up to date without much web development or design skills.  This enables you to regularly update content on your site, adding things like links to news stories, information on successful outcomes, and more.

1.  Ask a few friends who haven't visited your site recently to go to your homepage and tell you what they notice most in the first 3 seconds.  You likely need an updated homepage if:

• They couldn't figure out what to focus on first.
• They focused on something that isn't core to your mission.

2.  Click through your website and identify if your content is outdated.  Do you have a report marked "new" from 2009? Even if your latest content is from December of 2010, a potential stakeholder might wonder what you've been doing for the past 6 months.

3.  Answer the question: Does your site deliver?  Does it get visitors to do what you want them to do?  After all, you don't have a website just so you can tell people you have one.  Your website exists to help you raise money, recruit volunteers, increase your client base, and more.  

More information available.  John Haydon, a social media strategy guru has some great tips on creating an effective landing page here.

  

 

Anat and Peter Madonia at the City Hall News Panel

On Friday, April 29^th, City Hall News and City Arts sponsored a panel, Moving Government, for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about influencing government to move an agenda.

 

The panel was moderated by Peter Madonia, Mayor Bloomberg's former Chief of Staff and now the Chief Operating Officer at the Rockefeller Foundation.  Panelists included Claudia Wagner, Partner at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips; Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer; Anthony Ng, Director of Policy and Advocacy at United Neighborhood Houses; Andrew Friedman, co-executive director of Make the Road; and me.

 

There was a lot of great information shared.  Below are a few key tips.  Click here for more information.

 

Before you Start, Understand Government and Politics

Understand where the power resides

 

Getting Started: Create a Strategic Plan

Identify what you are trying to influence (funding, legislation, policy) and create a strategic plan taking into consideration the political environment, intergovernmental opportunities and challenges, and messaging/communications.

How Do You Get to the Influencers:

When building relationships with elected officials, it is very important to get to know the staff members, including the chief of staff, scheduler, and the legislative director.

Good commissioners, deputy mayors and other senior influencers listen to line and program staff, so get to know the agency people that deal with your organization and start building positive relationships with them. For example, invite them to visit your organization and recognize them for their work.

How do you get Influencers to listen to you?

Invite your local elected officials and other influencers to press conferences on your issues or organization. Invite them to visit your center and take photos to share with them (perhaps they will include it in their newsletter).

Communications Role in Advocacy

To generate more visibility for an issue, consider partnering with organizations that have a similar agenda. Your collective voice will more likely be heard in today's cluttered and noisy communications environment.

For more tips, click here.