Choosing a website hosting platform for your nonprofit
A strong online presence helps nonprofits reach more people, connect with donors, and share their causes. And one of the most foundational decisions behind that presence is choosing where your website lives. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
First, a quick clarification. There are two broad types of options:
All-in-one website builders, like Squarespace, Wix, and Webflow, combine design tools, content management, and hosting in one subscription. They're generally easier to manage.
Self-hosted platforms, like WordPress.org, are software you install on hosting you purchase separately. They offer maximum flexibility but require more technical upkeep.
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a website platform
1. Start with your goals and needs
Before comparing platforms, get clear on what your website needs to do. Ask yourself:
What's the primary purpose of your site: fundraising, awareness, sharing resources, or connecting people with services?
How much traffic do you expect?
How will you accept donations? Through the platform's built-in tools, or a separate donation platform you'll need to connect?
Will you publish a blog, news section, or resource library?
Do you need features like event registration, volunteer sign-ups, or email newsletter integration?
Your answers will help you narrow the field to platforms that fit your goals.
2. Be realistic about your budget
Nonprofit budgets are often tight, so cost matters. Free plans can be tempting, but they usually come with trade-offs like ads on your site, a non-custom web address, limited design control, and minimal support. Paid plans typically offer better performance, more flexibility, and real customer support.
When comparing costs, look beyond the monthly fee. Factor in add-ons, transaction fees on donations, premium plugins or integrations, and any developer help you'll need. Also ask whether the platform offers a nonprofit discount. Some do.
3. Evaluate your technical requirements
Your website's technical needs will shape which platform makes sense. Consider:
Content management. If you'll publish lots of content, like blog posts, resources, events, or program listings, look for a strong content management system (CMS). Webflow and WordPress are both excellent here.
Performance. Look for reliable uptime and fast load speeds, especially if you expect significant traffic or run time-sensitive campaigns.
Scalability. Make sure the platform can grow with you as you add programs, pages, and visitors.
Security. If you collect donor information, prioritize platforms with SSL certificates, regular backups, and secure payment processing.
Integrations. Check that the platform works smoothly with the tools you already use, like your donation platform, CRM, and email marketing service.
Sustainability. If reducing your environmental impact matters to you, look for hosting powered by renewable energy. Our post on [reducing your website's carbon footprint] has more tips.
4. Consider ease of use
Think honestly about your team's technical comfort. Some platforms are intuitive for beginners, while others require more expertise. Even if a designer or developer builds your site, your team will likely handle day-to-day updates, like adding events, posting news, or swapping photos. If your budget doesn't allow for ongoing developer support, choose a platform your staff can confidently manage on their own.
Tip: Before committing, sign up for a free trial and have the person who'll update the site try a few common tasks.
5. Explore support and resources
For small teams with limited technical expertise, good support is invaluable. Find out what kind of help each platform offers. Is support available around the clock? Can you reach someone by live chat, email, or phone? Look for helpful tutorials, documentation, and active user communities, too. They can save you hours of troubleshooting.
Our two favorite platforms for nonprofits
Squarespace: for simple websites and team-friendly updates
Squarespace is an all-in-one platform with strong built-in tools for SEO, analytics, donations, email marketing, scheduling, blogging, and more. Its editor is intuitive, so most teams can manage updates on their own. With a developer's help, it can also be customized to create unique, eye-catching experiences.
The trade-off: Squarespace has limited options for custom content types, so organizations with large, complex content libraries may find it less flexible.
Webflow: for flexibility and complex content
Webflow offers an extremely robust CMS, powerful integrations, and advanced interactivity. With a skilled developer, you can bring nearly any idea to life.
The trade-off: Webflow has a steeper learning curve. It's harder for non-designers to set up on their own, and editing can feel less intuitive for teams without technical experience.
Other options
Wix, WordPress, and Showit are other popular choices, each with its own strengths. Shopify is best suited for organizations with significant online stores. Larger organizations with unique needs sometimes opt for fully custom-built sites on cloud services like Amazon Web Services, though these require ongoing developer support. Explore each option's features to see which fits you best.
Choose with confidence
Selecting the right website platform is a big decision that shapes your online presence for years to come. By weighing your goals, budget, technical needs, ease of use, and support options, you can choose a platform that truly serves your mission.
Take time to research and compare, try a few free trials, and don't hesitate to reach out to us or other experts for recommendations.
At Sereth Design, we help nonprofits and impact-driven organizations build brands and websites that move people to act. See how we've done it in our case studies or start a conversation about your organization's next chapter.
