You’re doing important work. But if your website doesn’t reflect your impact, your story can get lost. Design isn’t just about how things look. It’s about how clearly your mission comes across and how easily people can understand the good you do.

Here are five common design mistakes that can make your impact harder to see and simple ways to fix them.

1. Cluttered Pages That Compete for Attention

When everything feels important, nothing stands out. Many nonprofits fill their homepage with multiple buttons, banners, and calls to action. The result is confusion and less clarity about what you actually want people to do.

Fix it:
Simplify your layout. Use one main call to action per page and organize your content by importance. Lead with what matters most then guide visitors to learn more or get involved.

2. Weak Storytelling Through Design

Your story is powerful, but design choices can make it harder for people to feel that power. Inconsistent fonts, unclear colors, or generic photos can make your message feel less authentic.

Fix it:
Use real visuals that show the people and communities you serve. Keep your design consistent and true to your brand. Think of your website as a visual story. Each section should build on the last to create an emotional connection.

3. Hard-to-Find Information

If visitors have to click around to figure out who you are or how to support you, they’ll leave. Confusing menus or buried pages are some of the biggest barriers to engagement.

Fix it:
Make your site navigation clear and intuitive. Use plain language in your menu items and keep your donation and contact buttons visible on every page. A simple, organized site builds trust and encourages action.

4. Ignoring Mobile Users

More than half of nonprofit website traffic comes from phones. If your site is hard to read or navigate on mobile, people won’t stick around.

Fix it:
Test your site on different devices. Use large, legible text, clear buttons, and fast-loading images. A mobile-friendly website helps more people connect with your mission wherever they are.

5. Forgetting to Show Your Impact

Many nonprofits describe what they do but forget to show the results. Without proof of impact, visitors may not fully understand the difference you make.

Fix it:
Show your progress visually. Add a few key statistics, testimonials, or photos that represent your success. Even a small “Impact” section with numbers or quotes can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

Your website should work as hard as you do. It’s often the first impression someone gets of your mission, and it can either inspire action or create confusion.

If your site doesn’t clearly communicate your story and impact, it may be time for a redesign that helps you share your purpose with clarity and confidence.