Your website is your digital  front door. It’s where potential donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries  get their first—and often most lasting—impression of your work. You’ve  poured your heart into the content, explaining your mission with passion  and purpose.

But what  if the design of your website is silently undermining that message? What  if well-intentioned choices are creating barriers that turn passionate  would-be supporters away before they ever click "Donate"?

In  the competitive landscape for attention and funding, even small design  flaws can have a massive impact. Here are 5 common design mistakes  charities make that drive supporters away, and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: The "Where Do I Go?" Navigation

The Problem: A cluttered, confusing, or overly creative menu. Supporters shouldn't  need a map to find your "Donate" page or understand what you do. If they  have to think too hard, they'll simply leave.

• What it looks like: Drop-down menus with too many options, vague labels like "What We Do," or hiding key information in a hard-to-find footer.

• The Supporter's Thought: "I just want to donate, but I can't find the button. This is too frustrating."

The Fix: Simplify ruthlessly. Use clear, standard labels: "Home, About Us, Our Work, Get Involved,  Donate." Your primary "Donate" button should be prominently displayed in  your header and in a contrasting colour, visible on every single page.

Mistake #2: The Hidden "Why"

The Problem: Leading with jargon, acronyms, and lengthy history instead of leading  with human impact. Visitors care less about your organisational  structure and more about the change you create.

• What it looks like: A homepage headline that says "Founded in 1987, we are a  multi-stakeholder NGO facilitating transformative outcomes..." instead  of "Help us provide a safe night for a homeless child."

• The Supporter's Thought: "That's nice, but what do you actually do? I'm not feeling an emotional connection."

The Fix: Lead with storytelling and visuals. Your homepage should feature a powerful image or video of the people or  cause you help, followed by a clear, compelling statement of impact.  Use your "About Us" page for the institutional details; your homepage is  for inspiration.

Mistake #3: The Mobile Minefield

The Problem: A website that looks beautiful on a desktop but becomes a broken,  frustrating experience on a phone. With the majority of web traffic now  on mobile, this is a critical error.

• What it looks like: Tiny text you have to pinch-to-zoom, buttons that are too small to tap, and images that break the screen layout.

• The Supporter's Thought: "I was going to read that story while on my break, but it's impossible. I'll just close it."

The Fix: Adopt a mobile-first design philosophy. This means your website is designed for mobile first, then adapted for  larger screens. Test your site extensively on various devices. If it’s  not easy to use on a smartphone, you’re alienating your largest  audience.

Mistake #4: The Slow Fade

The Problem: A painfully slow-loading website. In a world of instant gratification,  even a few seconds' delay can cause visitors to abandon your site.

• What it looks like: Clicking a link and watching images load one line at a time, or staring at a blank screen for more than 3 seconds.

• The Supporter's Thought: "This is taking too long. I'll just come back later..." (Spoiler: they won't.)

The Fix: Optimise for speed. Compress images, leverage browser caching, and use a quality hosting  provider. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can give you a  performance report and specific recommendations. Speed is not a  technicality; it’s a fundamental part of user respect.

Mistake #5: The Weak Call-to-Action (CTA)

The Problem: Vague, passive, or missing calls-to-action. You can't assume visitors  know what you want them to do next. If you don't ask clearly, you won't  receive.

• What it looks like: Buttons that say "Click Here" or "Learn More," instead of specific, action-oriented language.

• The Supporter's Thought: "I'm interested, but what's the next step? Should I donate? Volunteer? Share this?"

The Fix: Use clear, compelling CTAs. Tell people exactly what to do and what will happen. Instead of "Learn  More," try "Read Sarah's Story." Instead of a generic "Support Us,"  offer clear choices: "Donate Now," "Become a Volunteer," or "Sign Our  Petition." Make them impossible to miss.

Your Website Should Welcome, Not Warn

Your  cause is too important to be let down by a poorly designed website.  Every one of these mistakes creates a point of friction—a moment where a  supporter might disengage.

The  good news? Each one is fixable. By prioritising clarity, empathy, and  ease of use, you can transform your website from a digital brochure into  a powerful engine for your mission. It’s not just about looking good;  it’s about removing barriers so your incredible work can take centre  stage.