How to review a small charity website

Review a small charity website against the tasks supporters and service users need to complete, not against the production budget of a large organisation. Check whether the mission is clear, people can find help or give support, and essential information is accessible. Record barriers with practical impact before suggesting cosmetic changes.

Choose two different visitors

A potential donor may want to understand the cause, see how money is used and make a contribution. A person seeking help may need eligibility, location, opening times or a confidential contact route. Write one task for each. A site that serves both audiences should not be judged only by the donation journey.

If the charity works with volunteers, add a third task: find a role, commitment and way to apply. State which tasks you tested and which you did not.

Check clarity and evidence

Read the opening description and ask whether it explains whom the charity helps and how. Look for current contact information, useful examples of work and routes to further detail. A small charity may have limited photography or animation; that does not prevent clear information. Do not equate an expensive visual style with trust.

If impact claims use numbers, note the date and what is being counted. A public reviewer should ask for context rather than assume a number is wrong.

Test the action paths safely

Follow the donation route up to the payment step without submitting a false donation. Note the options, fees or recurring choices visible before commitment. Check whether service users can reach help without navigating through fundraising material. Try the main tasks on a phone and with a keyboard where possible.

The website accessibility review basics offer a starting set of checks, while a full assessment needs more expertise.

Prioritise high-impact fixes

A broken help route or inaccessible donation control deserves attention before a decorative issue. Give each finding a page, task, observed barrier and suggested next test. An owner can then weigh the fix against available capacity without losing sight of the people the site serves.

A two-route observation sheet

Give one tester the task “Find out whether this charity can help a family in your area” and another “Find how to give a one-off donation.” Record the page each chose, the answer found and any question left open. If donation is easy but the help route is unclear, do not average the two into a bland overall score. Explain that different visitors face different consequences. Ask the charity to confirm eligibility wording before recommending a change, and keep any personal circumstances used in testing fictional and private.

Frequently asked questions

Should a charity website be judged like a shop?

No. Define the charity's audiences and tasks first. Clear information and safe routes to help may matter more than sales-style conversion.

Can a volunteer run a first review?

Yes, using a short task list and careful notes. Specialist evaluation may still be needed for complex accessibility or security questions.

Is a simple design a weakness?

Not by itself. A straightforward page can serve visitors well if its information, navigation and actions are clear. Judge donation and volunteer tasks by clarity and completion, not production polish.