Websites

Reasons to have a society website

1. To inform members about your programme, events and news and to explain the reasons for decisions.
2. To introduce members of the committee to the membership
3. To help with administrative tasks
4. To attract new members
5. To publicise the activities of the society

How to achieve it - four different ways

1. Use a professional web designer - expensive and inclined to over-elaborate - shop around and look for willingness to listen and maintain.
2. An enthusiastic volunteer from the membership - encourage, but ask for evidence of ability - are they willing to devote the time needed.
3. Local volunteer - e.g. student - don't be put off by youth but make sure they are willing to do what you want and understand the society.
4. Do it yourself - not as difficult as you might think - lots of advice/books available. Use simple software - Dreamweaver is probably the best.

Points to watch

Beware of services that seem too good to be true - they probably are!
Keep it simple and up to date. Over elaborate sites will not be looked at much and are hard to maintain.
Keep the purpose of the website in mind - too many sites tell you more about the creator than the client.
Make the domain name easy to spell, type, say and remember. Silly names are a big turnoff to potential users.
Less is more. If it won't go on a page without scrolling, shorten or split into separate pages that are logical to use.
Trial content carefully. Can a novice user find what they want easily without getting bored or confused?
NADFAS have a number of resources that may be helpful. Do ask them/look at their website.
Don't be put off by know-alls or Luddites. Lots of ordinary people have done it successfully.
Set limited goals initially. You can always add more later.
Don't forget to include simple contact details - especially for prospective members.

Website design: Michael Jeans-Jakobsson © 2009 NADFAS SW Area Committee