Are You Making It Easy for People to Support or Refer to Your Charity?
If you're not seeing the engagement you'd hoped for (whether it's referrals, donations, or community support) it might be time to check how easy it really is for people to take action on your website.
This quick checklist is designed to help youth and children’s charities like yours make sure your digital presence is clear, accessible, and supportive of the people trying to reach you. Whether someone wants to refer a young person, make a donation, or simply learn more, your website should guide them with confidence and ease.
Use this as a mini audit to spot areas where a few simple changes could make a big difference.
1. Clarity on Who You Support
☐ Is it obvious who your charity supports (age, needs, location)?
☐ Do you explain how someone can get help, make a referral, or get involved within the first few seconds on your homepage?
☐ Are your services described in plain, jargon-free language?
2. Simple Referral Process
☐ Do you have a visible “Refer” button or section on your website?
☐ Is your referral process clearly explained in one page or less?
☐ Are forms easy to download or complete online?
☐ Can someone contact you directly if they have referral questions?
3. Supporter-Friendly Website
☐ Is it easy to find out how to donate, volunteer, or partner with you?
☐ Do you highlight the difference support makes (e.g. through stories or stats)?
☐ Do you include different ways to support, not just fundraising?
4. Easy Navigation
☐ Are your most important pages no more than one click from your homepage?
☐ Are your menu items clearly labelled and relevant to your audiences (e.g. Families, Funders, Referrers)?
☐ Do you have a search bar or sitemap for users who need extra help?
5. Trust-Building Content
☐ Do you share testimonials, case studies, or outcomes?
☐ Is your impact presented in a way that’s easy to understand and visual where possible?
☐ Is your team visible, approachable, and introduced somewhere on the site?
6. Accessible Contact Details
☐ Is there a dedicated contact page with phone, email, and postal details?
☐ Do you include a contact form for general enquiries?
☐ Is it easy to follow or connect with you on social media?
7. Final Check
☐ Ask someone unfamiliar with your charity to try your site, can they quickly understand what you do and how to take action?
Need help making your website easier to use and support-ready?
At Louise, we help charities improve clarity, build trust, and increase engagement with the people who matter most. Get in touch today: hello@wearelouise.co.uk
