Successful websites require frequent updates and key information being easily accessible. But nonprofits rarely have a team of programmers and techies at their disposal. So how can nonprofits manage their online marketing leveraging free and low cost solutions that don't require a programmer? WordPress! WordPress is a robust blogging and content management platform that is simple and easy to use by technophobes and programmers alike.

1. WordPress for Nonprofits
Jann Mirchandani
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors

2. Helping ordinary people raise extraordinary amounts for nonprofits is all we do, and we love it.
A Proud Sponsor of NonprofitWebinars.com

3. Today’s Speaker
Jann Mirchandani
Principal & Chief Marketing Officer,
Marketing Cafe
Hosting: Assisting with chat questions:
Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership April Hunt, Nonprofit Webinars

4. Effective Website Design – Goal Setting
Before you do anything, be clear about the goals for your website. When you
know your goals you can better implement.
– Know your audience
• Who are you targeting? Clients? Donors?
– Know your message
• Different audiences will require different information; but be consistent in your brand
– Know your plan
• Look past this week’s blog post; what is the integrated plan for the year?
"Begin with the end in mind.“
- Stephen Covey
WestchesterMarketingCa

5. How Does WordPress Fit In?
Free, Open source technology
Content Management System
Blog
Scalable
Search Engine Friendly
Get up and running on your own
or work with a pro and maintain
in-house.
WestchesterMarketingCa

6. Open Source Technology
“Denoting software for which the original source code is made freely available
and may be redistributed with or without modification.” – Wikipedia
– Lots of programmers are adding functionality to WordPress and distributing their
advances.
– Don’t need to pay for updates like with paid software.
– Additional functionality, such as private directories for members, can be added via
plugins which are free or very low cost
Community driven
WestchesterMarketingCa

7. Content Management System
A content management system allows one
or more authors to prepare and publish
information online, without specialized
technical knowledge.
– Manage user access
– WYSIWYG or HTML editor for greater
control
– Static and dynamic content
WestchesterMarketingCa

8. Blogging
WordPress is ideal for integrating a blog
into your website.
– Blogs allow a means of adding new content
by category or tag
– Database will allow you to organize content
for users
– The blog structure encourages backlinks
and sharing which will increase traffic
– Encourages comments and interaction from
visitors
WestchesterMarketingCa

9. Scalable
Budgets usually limit how much of your wish list will be included in Phase 1 of a
project.
– Scalability allows you to implement your “must haves” in phase one and add
additional functionality as donations and grants become available
• Member section
• Online event sign ups
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Etc.
Prioritizing your wish list will help
identify various phases of website
development.
WestchesterMarketingCa

10. Search Engine Friendly
This is not a field of dreams; you can’t
build it and expect people to come. Search
engine optimization is an ongoing effort.
– WordPress is very search engine friendly
– Lots of additional plugins to help
WestchesterMarketingCa

11. Features
Oodles of features to allow you to customize your site
– Integrating online donations
– Recognizing corporate sponsors/advertisers
– Event sign ups & calendar highlights
– Search engine optimization to get your organization found
From basic to more technical
– Quick & dirty, get it up and running
– Work with a professional to implement, volunteers & staff to maintain
WestchesterMarketingCa

12. Online Donations
Basic PayPal donation button
Merchant accounts
– Authorize.net
– 1ShoppingCart.com
Donation services
– QGiv
– NetworkForGood.org
– ClickAndPledge.com
WestchesterMarketingCa

13. Calendar
Calendar view
– Allows visitors to see upcoming events easily
– Can categorize & color code
Agenda view
– Quick snapshot
Basic or dynamic
– Google calendar
– Plugins based on needed features
WestchesterMarketingCa

14. Event Sign Ups
Ticket sales
– Open seating events
– Dinners/galas
Registration
– Recurring dues payments
– One-time sign-ups
Plugins, plugins, plugins
– Custom plugins based on features
• Waiting List, Google Maps, Featured Events
– Eventbrite
WestchesterMarketingCa

15. Recognizing Sponsors
Basic Sponsor List
– Page or post
Sponsor Slide Show
– Sidebar, page or post
Banner Ads
– Header, sidebar
WestchesterMarketingCa

16. Search Engine Optimization
The key to Search Engine Optimization is
strong content and making sure your site is
updated regularly.
– Track site stats with Google Analytics
– Plugins to keep track of backlinks
– Plugins to help with keywords/metatags
– Help readers comment and share with
plugins
• Facebook comments
• Titled comments
WestchesterMarketingCa

17. Find the listings for our current season of webinars
and register at
NonprofitWebinars.com
Chris Dumas
Chris@NonprofitWebinars.com
707-812-1234
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors