Starting a charity often means working with limited resources—but that shouldn’t stop you from having a professional online presence. The good news? There are plenty of free (or affordable) website builders that can help you get your charity’s message out there without blowing your budget.
But which one is the best? Let’s break down some of the top website builders and see how they stack up for nonprofits and charaties.
Why Your Website Matters
Choosing the right website builder is like laying the foundation for your nonprofit’s digital home. It’s not just about getting online; it’s about how you present your mission, engage supporters, and build trust.
A good website builder makes it easy for you to create a professional, user-friendly site that reflects your nonprofit’s values. It helps you showcase your work, accept donations, and communicate effectively. On the flip side, using a builder with limited functionality or visible branding (like “built with freewebsitebuilder.com”) can undermine your credibility.
Supporters might hesitate to trust a site that looks outdated or unprofessional, and that can impact donations, partnerships, and your overall reach. The right website builder ensures your nonprofit puts its best digital foot forward, offering tools that empower you to grow your impact.
Why Drag-and-Drop Website Builders Are Great
When it comes to building a website for your charity, drag-and-drop builders are a game changer. These platforms allow you to create a stunning site without very little coding skills. Simply pick a design, drag the elements you want, and drop them into place—no tech expertise required.
For your charity, this means you can focus on what really matters: your mission. Drag-and-drop builders are intuitive and easy to use, saving you time and effort while creating a site that looks professional and polished. Plus, they often come with built-in features like donation forms, event calendars, and contact pages, making it super simple to integrate everything your nonprofit needs.
The best part? You can make changes on the fly. Whether it’s adding a blog post, updating your donation page, or refreshing your design for a new campaign, you have complete control over your site’s content and appearance. Drag-and-drop builders are an excellent solution for nonprofits that need flexibility, ease of use, and a website that grows with them.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder
Not all website builders are created equal. Here’s what you need to think about before making your choice:
Ease of Use:
Can you build and update your site without needing a web developer?
Design Flexibility:
Does the platform offer templates that align with your nonprofit’s branding?
Features:
Are tools like donation buttons, event calendars, and contact forms included?
Cost Beyond Free Plans:
Will you need to pay to remove ads, connect a custom domain, or access advanced features?
Top Free Website Builders for Nonprofits
1. Wix
Pros:
Drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to build a site, even for beginners.
Hundreds of templates, including options specifically designed for nonprofits.
Offers basic features like contact forms and event calendars.
Cons:
Free plans display Wix ads.
Limited storage and bandwidth on the free plan.
Perfect for: Small charities that want a visually appealing site without too much technical fuss.
2. WordPress
Pros:
Offers a great platform for blogging and content-heavy sites.
Strong SEO tools to help your site rank higher on search engines.
A huge library of plugins for additional functionality.
Cons:
The free plan includes ads, and customisation can be limited without upgrading.
Can have a steeper learning curve compared to drag-and-drop builders.
Perfect for: Nonprofits focused on content creation, like blogs or news updates.
3. Weebly
Pros:
Simple drag-and-drop interface.
Integration with Square for donations and event ticketing.
Clean, straightforward templates.
Cons:
Free plan includes Weebly branding.
Fewer design options compared to Wix or Squarespace.
Perfect for: charities that need a straightforward site with basic donation capabilities.
4. Squarespace
Pros:
Beautiful, professional templates that are highly customisable.
Built-in features like donation buttons and event management tools.
Excellent customer support and a sleek, intuitive interface.
Cons:
No free plan, but a 14-day free trial is available.
More expensive than other options when you upgrade to a paid plan.
Very dificult to customise if you aren't use to using custom code.
Perfect for: Nonprofits that want a polished, high-end website and can budget for a premium plan.
What About Donations?
Most website builders have apps or widgets to add a donation feature, but some require a paid plan for full functionality. If accepting online donations is a key part of your strategy, keep this in mind when choosing your platform.
What About SEO and Accessibility?
For nonprofits, visibility is crucial. Each of the platforms above offers some level of SEO tools to help your site rank higher in search results, making it easier for people to find you.
Accessibility is equally important. An accessible website ensures everyone—including those with disabilities—can interact with your content. Some builders, like Squarespace and WordPress, offer built-in tools to help make your site more inclusive.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it all comes down to your charity's specific needs. If you want design freedom, Wix might be your best bet. If you’re all about blogging and storytelling, WordPres could be the way to go. Need something simple but professional? Squarespace delivers sleek results.
Whatever you choose, remember: even a basic website can make a big impact with the right content and design.
While Drag-and-Drop Builders Are Great, They’re Not Always Easy
Drag-and-drop website builders are fantastic for their simplicity, but let’s be honest—not everyone is a natural when it comes to creating a website. While these platforms make things easier, there’s still a lot to consider. You need to ensure your design aligns with your charity’s mission, optimise for mobile, ensure accessibility, and integrate all the right tools (like donation forms, event calendars, etc.). It can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
If you’re not the most tech-savvy or you’re simply pressed for time, building a website might not be as straightforward as you’d hoped. That’s where I come in. I work with charities to make the whole process less stressful and more enjoyable. Whether it's helping you pick the best platform or designing a site that’s both functional and visually engaging, I’ll ensure your website reflects everything your charity stands for.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck or unsure where to start, get in touch—I’d love to help make your vision a reality!