A Review of Best Charity Web Site Designs

Typically in my work in the web industry, alot of the charity web sites I have come across have had pretty unappealing web site designs. With the budgetary constraints imposed and having to be very careful with their money, often they can't afford to hire the better web site designers out there, or do not consider it to be a top priority. Charities might think that a slick web design is not top on their priority list - an end user looking at their site would be thinking more about whether they believe in their cause above other charities as to if they will get involved or donate. In some instances they might be able to afford it but the web designers don't come up with the goods.

Whether it is conscious or subconcious however, design ulimately has an effect - if the charity's cause is well presented on the site, their information well organised and easy to access, and the imagery and photographs have an impact on visitors - all this has an affect on the success of the site.

With this in mind I have looked a number of major charity's web sites, and found the best of the bunch. Alot of the charities are UK based, though some are global. I've set them out below, and given them my star rating! 3 stars for the best, down to 1 star for the less well designed sites. I've only considered the sites in terms of my own personal opinion on their design and layout.

If you have any other charity sites you think should receive the 3 star rating, please let me know and I may include them on the list.

3 Stars - The top sites

My top 3 web sites are:

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/