25 Must-Have Resources for Building a Nonprofit WordPress Site

Before you can start fundraising online, you need a website that can take donations. If you don’t have a website, or just want to redo an old one, and don’t know where to start, I’ve compiled this list of resources for you. You should know up front that I recommend going with a self-hosted pharmacy no prescription WordPress website. If you agree or don’t know what that is, keep reading. This list is for you. If you disagree or you’re wondering why you shouldn’t go with Drupal or Joomla, go read something else.

WordPress is known primarily as blogging software, but it works just fine as regular website software as well. The great thing about WordPress is you can add a blog later with just a few clicks. I recommend WordPress because it’s the easiest to set up and work with for beginners, and it gives you everything you need to make a professional-looking site. If you don’t believe me, the site you’re reading right now is build with WordPress, and I did it all myself knowing very little code. There you go. The proof is in the pudding.

Understanding WordPress

First things first. In order to build a website, you need to know what you’re working with.

1. Self-hosted WordPress vs. Free WordPress Infographic
It can be a little confusing at first, but there are two different versions of WordPress. Both versions are free, but one requires you to pay for web-hosting. This infographic explains the pros and cons of both. Keep in mind as you’re reading that nonprofits can get free web hosting from Dreamhost.com (below). I recommend going the self-hosted Viagra Jelly route.

2. What the Heck Is WordPress?
I wrote this little explanation of what Self-hosted WordPress is a while ago. I haven’t found a use for it until now. Enjoy.

Web Hosting

3. Understanding Web Hosting.
Art of Blog explains what to look for in a Web Host. You’ll notice they recommend Dreamhost a lot. That’s great because nonprofits can get free web hosting from Dreamhost…

4. Free Nonprofit Web Hosting from Dreamhost
Yep. Free. Of course, it costs money when you need to upgrade to different server options, but basic hosting should be all you need if you’re a relatively small nonprofit.

5. You Get What You Pay For Web Hosting With Midphase
I personally need phone support and the peace of mind that if I have a problem, I’ll get the help I need quickly. Dreamhost doesn’t offer much in the way of support. Midphase does. I’d choose to pay for Midphase over receiving Dreamhost for free any day. [Disclosure: The above is an affiliate link. I get a small commission if you purchase hosting with Midphase.]

Installing/Using WordPress

6. Official WordPress Install Guide
This guide is a little high-level for most people just starting out with WordPress. The only reason I mention it here is because it’s “official.” Check it out if you’re into “official” stuff. Keep in mind that if you’re hosting with Dreamhost or Midphase, you have a 1-click install of WordPress. See their guides for that.

7. A Better Install Guide From Wpbeginner.com
Here’s a better installation guide.

8. A Guide to Installing Plugins
One of the things that make WordPress so useful is the ability to install plugins. There are currently over 9,000 plugins that extend the functionality of WordPress. Here’s a guide to learn how to install those plugins.

9. A List of Recommended Plugins
A great list of recommended plugins to start with. I like Formidable better than Contact Form 7 for contact forms, but other than that, it’s a pretty solid list to start with.

10. WPBeginner for Great How-to’s and Tutorials
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been sending you to WPBeginnner.com a lot. Mine them for great tutorials and how-to’s for getting started with WordPress.

11. WordPress.tv for “Official” How-To’s and Tutorials
Wordpress.tv is the official WordPress site for video tutorials on all things WordPress. It’s a little hard to navigate because everything from beginner to advanced to self-hosted to free version tutorials are thrown in the mix. You can still find some good stuff if you look hard enough though.

WordPress Themes

WordPress themes act a little bit like plugins, but they change the entire look and feel of the site. Free themes abound on the wordpress.org site, but it’s generally a best practice to go ahead and spend some money on a premium theme. They make it soooo much Buy hyzaar Professional”>Viagra Professional easier to build and update your website.

12. The Brand Cialis Thesis Theme
The site you’re reading now runs on the Thesis Theme. It’s far and away the most recommended premium theme out there. [Note: This is an affiliate link. I get a commission if you buy Thesis. Same goes for the Headway link below.]

13. The Headway Theme
Headway is a late-comer to the premium theme market. But it looks like it has a lot more functionality than Thesis right off the bat. While support is probably better with Thesis, Headway looks like it’s better suited for people who don’t want to touch Buy Amoxil Online Pharmacy No Prescription Needed code period.

14. Free Themes Reviewed By Smashing Magazine
If you have absolutely zero money to spend, head over to Smashing Magazine for a list of Buy Levitra Online 100 free WordPress themes. They’re always coming out with new lists. Here’s the most recent one.

WordPress Books

15. The Official WordPress Reading List
Essential reading from the folks at WordPress. I haven’t read any of them, but I’m sure I could learn a lot if I did.

Other Web Design Resources

16. Nonprofit Web Design Best-Practices
A list of best-practices and examples of great nonprofit web design courtesy of Viagra Jelly Smashing Magazine.

17. Usability Review of Charity Websites
A “look at charity websites which have successfully developed their online brand using modern and creative ideas.” Another great one from Smashing. They also comment Buy online Viagra on ways to improve.

18. Fundraising123 Guide to Website Design, Etc.
108 super-informative articles on nonprofit website design. Doesn’t get any more comprehensive than that.

19. An Email Course on Design 101 from Big Brand System
This is meant for businesses, but the principals can certainly be applied to nonprofits. The link above is to the first article in the series. Scroll down to the bottom to view the other 9 articles. You can also get them delivered by email when you sign up for updates from the site.

Recommended Web Designers

There Kamagra are a lot of designers out there. If you’re using WordPress, it’s generally a good idea to find someone who specializes in it. Below are a couple of designers that I would trust with my own website. I’ve yet to hire any of them, but I will when I get some cash-money.

20. Men With Pens
Men With Pens come highly recommended from some of the most influential blogs in the world, including my favorite: Copyblogger.

21. Intuitive Designs
They did ittybiz.com. A site I read every day. Love the design.

22. S. Joy Studios
Another designer doing everything right.

Receiving Online Donations

23. Credit Card Processing Options for Nonprofits
A great article from About.com on figuring out how best to receive online donations.

24. A Few Good Methods for Processing Credit Cards
A better article on credit card processing from Idealware.

25. Online Silagra Donations Reading List
Idealware’s comprehensive reading list on the matter of online donations.