Whether you're looking to create a new website or feeling tempted by those flashy Wix and Squarespace ads for your existing site, let's talk about why managed WordPress is still your nonprofit's best bet. Those website builders make some pretty attractive promises, don't they? "Easy!" "Beautiful!" "No tech skills needed!" But here's what they don't tell you - and what many organizations discover the hard way after switching.
If you already have managed WordPress support, you know what I'm talking about here - having someone who actually knows your organization and responds when you need help. And if you're considering a website builder, this is probably the biggest thing you'll miss out on.
Think about the last time you had a website emergency or needed to make an urgent update. With managed WordPress support, you've got someone who'll get back to you within 24 hours (usually much faster), and who you can actually call on the phone if something goes wrong. Try getting that kind of response from a website builder's chat support!
For those who've worked with website builders before, you know the drill: explain your whole situation from scratch each time, wait for responses, and hope the support person actually understands what you need. With dedicated WordPress support, you're working with someone who already knows your site, your needs, and your mission.
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites out there, and there's a good reason why. Being open source means you're never locked into one company's way of doing things. If you're already using WordPress, you know how valuable this flexibility is. And if you're considering switching to a website builder, think carefully about what you'd be giving up.
Those website builders are like renting an apartment where you need permission to make any changes. WordPress? It's like owning your own place. And just like a real community center, WordPress lets you create different roles and access levels for your team members - from administrators and editors to contributors and subscribers. You can have multiple people managing different parts of your site, each with their own login and specific permissions. Website builders, on the other hand, typically treat your site more like a single-owner business with limited user roles and permissions.
Need a special donation system? Want to connect with your specific volunteer management software? With WordPress, we can create exactly what you need - custom event registration systems, special content types for your specific programs, or unique ways to organize your information. Want a special section just for your youth programs that works differently from your adult services? No problem. Need a custom event registration system that handles both in-person and virtual attendees differently? We can build that. With website builders, you're stuck with their one-size-fits-all page builder and whatever features they decide to offer.
Just like a real community center, WordPress lets you create different roles and access levels for your team members - from administrators and editors to contributors and subscribers. You can have multiple people managing different parts of your site, each with their own login and specific permissions. Website builders, on the other hand, typically treat your site more like a single-owner business with limited user roles and permissions. With WordPress, you can even create member-only content areas or private sections for your board members.
This means no more bottlenecks where one person has to handle all website updates, and no sharing of login credentials (a big security no-no!). Your team can work efficiently with exactly the access they need - whether that's full administrative control or just the ability to update specific pages.
Choosing (or sticking with) an independent WordPress support person over a big website builder company is like choosing your local business district over Walmart. When you work with an independent professional, you're supporting skilled folks that continue to care about your organization and other organizations doing importnt work to make the world a better place and not just driven by profit.
Whether you're already enjoying these benefits or considering making the switch, here's what managed WordPress support really means:
That last point is huge - instead of watching generic video tutorials or struggling through help articles, you get training that's actually focused on how YOUR organization uses the website. Need your volunteer coordinator to learn how to update event pages? Want your development team to understand how to manage donation forms? We'll create custom training sessions that focus on exactly what your team needs to know.
Here's something that surprises a lot of people: professional WordPress support runs between $40 to $110 per month for nonprofits. Compare that to what you're paying (or would pay) for all those website builder premium features and add-ons. When you add it all up, managed WordPress often costs less and gives you way more.
I've got plenty of happy clients who'd be glad to share their experiences - including some who tried website builders and came back to WordPress. Just ask, and I'll put you in touch.
Whether you're thinking of switching or being tempted by their ads, here's what those website builders don't tell you upfront:
Whether you're already using WordPress or considering a switch to website builders, think about what matters most for your nonprofit:
If you're feeling limited by your current setup or getting tempted by those website builder ads, let's chat about it. There might be ways to make your current WordPress site work better for you that you haven't thought of. And if you're new to all this, I'm happy to show you why so many nonprofits choose (and stick with) WordPress.
"When you help others, you help yourself. When you help yourself, you help others."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Your website should make it easier for you to focus on what matters most - your mission and the communities you serve. Let's work together to make that happen.
