MANDLA MEDIA

You’ve come to the right place if your organization is looking into web design choices and would want additional information about WordPress. Website builders like WordPress should be taken into consideration in addition to alternatives like Squarespace and Drupal, whether you’re designing a new website from scratch or revamping an old one.

Keep reading for more information about WordPress for Non-Governmental Organizations; pricing, strengths and the limitations to be aware of.

What is WordPress? How is it different from other website builders?

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that allows users to create and manage websites. It started out as a blogging platform in 2003 but has since evolved into a versatile CMS that can be used for a wide range of websites, from small personal blogs to large corporate websites.

When creating a website, you have to decide between using a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress or Drupal or a website builder like Squarespace.

What is a website builder?

A website builder is a all-in-one platform that allows even non-technical users to create websites without the need to write or edit code. Website builders are typically user-friendly and provide a visual interface with drag-and-drop features, pre-designed templates, and a variety of widgets or add-ons for functionality. They are intended to make website creation more accessible to people without web development skills.

What is a Content Management System?

A content management system is a software application or set of related programs used to create and manage digital content. Unlike website builders that focus on the design and structure of sites, CMSs are more flexible and powerful, offering capabilities for managing complex content, user roles, and other website functionalities. CMSs are generally used when the website needs to be scalable, requires custom functionalities, or involves a significant amount of content that needs regular updates.

WordPress is one of the most commonly used CMS which powers 43.1% of websites, (data from Nov 2023).

In order to turn a CMS into a website, you also need web hosting account, but by purchasing a WordPress.com plan, you will have everything you need to create and host a website and share it with the world. WordPress.com plans are all-inclusive managed hosting, so you do not need to purchase additional hosting with any other service or company.

Is WordPress a good choice for a Non-Governmental Organization Website?

WordPress can be an excellent choice for an NGO’s website for several reasons:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Many NGOs operate with tight budgets. WordPress is free to use, and there are many affordable hosting options available.
• Ease of Use: Once set up, WordPress is relatively easy for staff members to update and manage without specialized technical skills.
• Scalability: As the NGO grows, WordPress can grow with it. It’s possible to add new features, custom functionalities, and more content without migrating to a new platform.
• Community Support: There is a vast community of WordPress users and professionals who can provide assistance.

WordPress Pricing

When choosing a WordPress plan for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), it is important to consider the specific needs of your organization, including its size, the complexity of the website, the expected traffic, and the resources available for website management and maintenance. WordPress offers various options, each catering to different requirements:

WordPress.com Plans

WordPress.com is a hosting service that offers a range of plans, including Free, Starter, Explorer, Creator, Entrepreneur(eCommerce) and Enterprise. Each tier offers more features and flexibility. For most NGOs, the free plan might be too limiting, but the Explorer or Creator plan could be a suitable choice because they offer more customization options and remove WordPress.com ads.

At the time of writing, WordPress website plans come in six tiers:

• Free($0)
• Starter(US$48 billed annually, excl. taxes/US$4 monthly)
• Explorer( US$96 billed annually, excl. taxes/US$8 monthly)
• Creator( US$300 billed annually, excl. taxes/US$25 monthly)
• Entrepreneur(US$540 billed annually, excl. taxes/US$45 monthly)
• Enterprise(US$25,000.00 yearly)

All WordPress plans also include free domain registration for the first year.

WordPress.org Self-Hosting

Alternatively, an NGO can use the self-hosted version of WordPress from WordPress.org. This requires obtaining a domain name and choosing a hosting provider separately. This approach often provides the most flexibility and potential for customization. It’s a good fit for NGOs that need specific features or a unique design and have the resources to maintain their own hosting, security, and updates, or can afford to hire someone to do so.

Which WordPress plan is right for Non-Governmental Organizations?

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) often have certain requirements for their websites and other online presence. An NGO’s budget, the type of customization needed, and the requirement for extra features and support are all important considerations when selecting a WordPress package. Here are some alternatives to think about:

WordPress.com Explorer Plan

This plan offers a good balance of features and affordability. It includes a custom domain, advanced design customization, and access to premium themes. It also provides 13GB of storage space and the ability to monetize the site with WordAds. Premium support is also included.

WordPress.com Creator Plan

The Creator plan is suitable for organizations that require advanced customization options and e-commerce capabilities. It includes all the features of the Explorer plan, along with unlimited premium themes, advanced design customization, Google Analytics integration, and access to e-commerce plugins. It also provides 50GB of storage space.

WordPress for Non-Governmental Organizations: Strengths

Cost-Effectiveness

WordPress software is free, and there are many free or low-cost themes and plugins available. This can help NGOs save on development costs.

Adaptability

With thousands of plugins and themes, NGOs can extend the functionality of their site to include things like donation forms, event calendars, and volunteer management.

Ease of Use

WordPress is relatively easy to use, with a gentle learning curve, allowing NGO staff to update content without needing technical expertise.

Community Support

A large community of WordPress users and developers means that it’s often easy to find help or hire someone to assist with website development and maintenance.

WordPress for Non-Governmental Organizations: Limitations

Maintenance

Running a self-hosted WordPress site requires regular updates and maintenance to ensure security and performance, which might require dedicated staff or volunteers.

Learning Curve

Despite being user-friendly, WordPress still needs some familiarization and training, which can be difficult for employees with little experience or technical knowledge. Don’t worry, if you were to work with our agency, we will provide the staff person or staff members who will be in charge of the website a day of training.

Potential for Overhead

With the flexibility of WordPress comes the potential to overcomplicate the site with too many plugins or a complex theme, which can slow down the site and make it more difficult to manage.

Conclusion: Is WordPress the right choice for Non-Governmental Organizations?

For an NGO’s website, WordPress can be a great option since it provides a nice balance of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and user-friendliness that fits the numerous NGOs’ diverse demands and tight budgets. Its capacity to grow and adjust to an organization’s shifting requirements further defines it as a forward-thinking option that will benefit an NGO in the long run.

It’s not necessary for everyone to create their own WordPress website simply because they can! We advise hiring a website expert to assist with the development of a new website if you have the funds to do so. Feel free to schedule an appointment for a free consultation if you would like to collaborate with us.