Building a Nonprofit Website on a Tight Budget: Why Squarespace is the Perfect Fit
Author: Hailey Rodgers, Founder & Executive Director, Women’s Nonprofit Network
Here at the Women’s Nonprofit Network (WNN), we’re operating with zero sponsors, donors, or members right now—but that didn’t stop us from wanting to create value as soon as possible. We knew that having a website was crucial to getting our message out there, even on a tight budget, so we turned to Squarespace. (note: this is not an Ad! We just love the platform!)
Launching a website can feel like a big expense, especially when you're just starting out. But in today’s world, having an online presence is essential for connecting with supporters, growing your community, and even bringing in donations. The good news? You don’t need to shell out a fortune or hire a web developer to make it happen. Squarespace is an affordable, user-friendly platform that lets you build a sleek, modern website—even if you have zero tech skills.
Squarespace allowed us to get up and running quickly, without needing to hire anyone or overspend. Within weeks, we had a beautiful, fully functional site that showcases who we are, shares valuable resources, and allows folks to get involved—all without a single tech expert on our team!
Let’s dive into why Squarespace is the perfect solution for nonprofits, especially if you're working with limited resources.
Why Every Nonprofit Needs a Website
Even if you’re just starting and don’t have a big budget (like us!), a website is key for connecting with people who believe in your cause. Here’s why it’s a must-have:
Trust and Credibility: A website helps build trust with potential supporters, donors, and partners. When people search your organization, they’ll expect to find you online. A professional website instantly shows that you’re a legitimate, serious nonprofit.
Increase Visibility: Social media is great, but having your own website gives you a home base for all the important info about your mission, events, and ways to get involved.
24/7 Access to Your Story: Your website is like an online storefront that’s open 24/7, allowing anyone to learn about your cause, donate, or sign up for events at any time.
Whether you're starting from scratch like we did or looking to upgrade, a website is key to growing your nonprofit.
Why Squarespace is the Budget-Friendly Option
When we needed to launch our site, we couldn’t afford to hire a developer or invest in expensive web hosting. That’s where Squarespace came in. It offers:
Affordable Plans: Squarespace plans start at just $21 per month (with an annual savings option), which is super affordable, even for nonprofits with little to no budget. That’s all you need to get a fully functional, professional-looking site up and running.
All-in-One Service: Squarespace includes hosting, security, and even the option to buy a domain name—all in one place. No need to juggle different services (or surprise extra fees).
Free Templates: You don’t have to pay for design help. Squarespace offers beautiful, modern templates that you can customize for your brand—no graphic designer needed!
For us, having everything we needed in one place was a game-changer. Plus, we were able to leverage their live support when needed.
No Developer Required – Build It Yourself
One of the best parts? You don’t need to know how to code or hire a web developer to build a great website. Here’s why:
Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: With Squarespace, you can easily drag and drop elements like text, photos, and buttons into your site—no coding required.
Nonprofit-Specific Templates: Squarespace has a range of templates specifically designed for charities and nonprofits, making it easy to showcase your mission, collect donations, and keep people updated on events.
SEO-Ready: Getting found on search engines like Google is key for attracting visitors. Squarespace comes with built-in SEO tools, so you can easily optimize your site and help people find your nonprofit.
Even if you’re a total beginner (like we were!), Squarespace makes it easy to create a beautiful, functional site.
Customizing Your Website to Share Your Story
Your nonprofit is unique, and your website should reflect that. Here’s how Squarespace makes it easy to create a site that tells your story:
Pick a Template that Fits Your Mission: Squarespace offers templates that are perfect for nonprofits, letting you highlight your mission, showcase projects, and collect donations.
Brand It Your Way: With customizable fonts, colours, and layout options, you can make your site look and feel exactly like your organization. Upload your logo, use your own photos, and truly make it yours.
Easy-to-Navigate: Squarespace makes it simple to organize your site, ensuring visitors can easily find information about your cause, donation links, or volunteer opportunities.
For WNN, we loved how customizable the templates were—it allowed us to build something that truly reflected our mission, even with no design background.
Squarespace Features Nonprofits Will Love
We’ve found Squarespace to be more than just a website builder—it’s packed with tools that are incredibly helpful for running a nonprofit. Here are some features we love:
Donation Pages: You can easily add a donation form right on your site, and Squarespace integrates with payment platforms like PayPal, making it super simple for people to give.
Event Pages: Promote your next fundraiser or volunteer day with built-in event pages and calendars, so your supporters can RSVP and stay up to date.
Built-in Blogging Tools: Want to keep your community updated with news, impact stories, or upcoming events? Squarespace makes it easy to add a blog to your site.
These features have been a huge help to us at WNN. Even without any tech experience, we were able to set everything up smoothly.
Wrapping It Up
Launching a website can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re a new nonprofit with limited funds. But with Squarespace, you don’t have to let budget constraints hold you back. It’s affordable, easy to use, and packed with features that help nonprofits like WNN grow and thrive.
Whether you’re starting with zero donors (like we did) or looking to revamp an existing site, Squarespace can help you create a sleek, modern website that reflects your mission and connects with supporters—all without breaking the bank.
Ready to get started? Give Squarespace a try—you might be surprised at how easy it is to build a beautiful website, even on a budget!