A lot of charities rely on voluntary funding. This funding is carefully distributed and there are often more important things ahead of a generous budget for the website.

So how does a charity get the most out of its website? It needs to let users find out information about the charity, but the main objective of the site is to get people involved with the charity, usually resulting in the user donating money.

In this article, we look at 8 principles that you should follow when creating a charity website.

What makes a good charity website?

1. A mission

A quick tagline to sum up what the charity (or charitable event) is about.

2. How sponsors will be helping

Let your users know what you do with their money once they sponsor. They'll want to know how they're making a difference to someone's life.

3. Photos of people the sponsors will be helping

Help users identify and visualize the people they'll be helping.

4. Donate button

The donate button is most likely the most important asset of a charity website so it should be prominent and obvious. This is the ultimate end goal for users.

5. Donations to date

If the website is for a specific charitable event, show how much the charity's raised to date. Current sponsors get to see how useful they've been while possible sponsors can see that there are other people already helping and the campaign is active.

6. A funding goal

If applicable, share your goal. Having a target gives people something to aim for.

7. Keep in touch

Sponsors will want you to keep in touch as they now have a vested interested, so make sure they can. Let people sign up and send them an occasional newsletter about what the charity is up to. This will also be helpful when it comes to looking for future donations.

8. How can people help

Donating money is the obvious way people can help, but make it clear they can help in other ways. Suggest fundraising ideas and advise how users can help promote the website and charity via other social networking sites.

Showcase of excellent charity websites

The Worldwide Blogger Bake Off

Action for Children

Save the Children

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

World Concern

Fifty Thousand Shirts

Cards from Africa

Change

Stop Child Labour

Sahayata

Miracles in Africa

Take the Walk

Wiser

Here's Life Mission Africa

Operation Warm

Manna Food Bank

Global Oneness Project

Red Nose Day

Children's Rights

Sponsor Lee

Written exclusively for WDD by Lee Munroe, a freelance web designer and blogger. You can find more of his writing at his blog or follow Lee on Twitter.

What do you feel makes up a good charity website and can you recommend any? Please share your comments below...