Community groups often start without thinking much about what their website needs. They put up something quickly — or put nothing up at all — and then realize later that people can't find them, don't understand what they do, or don't know how to get involved.
This post is a straightforward checklist. If your community group needs a website, here's what to put on it.
What you are and why you exist
Start with the basics. Who are you, and what is the group's purpose? This should be on your homepage, clearly, within the first few lines. "We're a mutual aid network in East Austin helping neighbors connect during emergencies" is better than "Community support for all." Be specific about who you serve and what you actually do.
How to get involved
Whether you want volunteers, members, participants, or supporters — tell people how to do it. This should not be buried. If "get involved" is the goal of your site, make it easy to find from the homepage. A simple form, an email address, or a link to a signup form is enough. Don't overthink it.
Your programs or events
If your group runs programs, meetings, or events, list them. Even a simple text list of what you offer and when it happens is better than nothing. If you have recurring events, say when they happen. If programs require sign-up, explain how to sign up.
You don't need a calendar plugin or complex event system. A page that says "We meet every second Saturday at 10am" is clear and useful.
Who is behind the group
Trust comes from knowing who's running things. Even a brief "About" section — "We're a small group of neighbors in [neighborhood], started by [name] in [year]" — makes your group feel real and accountable. You don't need full bios. Just make it clear that real people are behind the work.
How to contact you
An email address that someone actually checks is the minimum. If you have a phone number, include it. If you're based in a physical location or service area, mention it. Keep this page updated — outdated contact info is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility.
What you don't need right away
You probably don't need a blog, a gallery, a member portal, an events calendar plugin, or a donation payment system on day one. Start with the pages that answer the basic questions, and build from there as your group grows and your needs become clearer.
A simple four-page site — home, about, programs, contact — is more useful than an ambitious ten-page site that never gets finished.
Read more: How community organizations can look more trustworthy online.
Need help getting your community group online? See how Webspansion helps community organizations.