Charity Websites and Donations: What You Really Need

A charity website for donations: what does it actually need?

A Facebook page alone is not enough to build long-term trust. A website gives the charity a permanent address where it shows who it is, what it does and how donations are spent. But a good charity website has different priorities from a company website.

NGOs and charities 6 min read

By Nour Aldein Tleti. Updated 7 October 2026.

What does a charity website in Syria need to raise donations?

It needs a clear introduction to the charity, its registration and its team, project pages with specific goals, and regular reports that show where the money went. It needs clear ways to donate that are actually available, plus a fast contact option such as WhatsApp. And it must load quickly on a phone, even on weak internet.

Essential pages on a charity website

About us: The charity’s story, mission, board, team and registration details, because these are the first things a donor looks for.
Projects: A page for each project explaining the problem, who benefits, the goal and what has been achieved so far.
Reports and transparency: Short regular reports on activities and spending, in language a non-specialist can follow.
How to donate: A clear explanation of the ways to give that are available inside and outside Syria, and what happens after a donation.
Volunteering and contact: A simple volunteer form, a WhatsApp button, a phone number and the office location on a map.

Fundraising in the Syrian reality

Available payment options: Electronic payment options for Syrian organisations are limited and changing, so check current banking and legal requirements before offering any method.
The diaspora matters: Many donors are relatives and acquaintances abroad, so show them clearly which methods are possible and what receipt they will get.
WhatsApp before giving: Many donors prefer to ask questions on WhatsApp before deciding, so reply quickly and consistently using ready-made messages.
Receipt and update: Send every donor a receipt and confirmation, then a later update on the project they supported.
Local donors: Not every donor is abroad, so explain to local donors how to give in cash or in kind and where to get their receipt.

Technical requirements not to overlook

Loading speed: Compressed images and light pages, because most visitors arrive on a phone with an unstable connection.
Arabic first: A correct right-to-left Arabic interface, with an English version if you have foreign donors.
Easy updates: A simple control panel that lets the team add news and reports without needing a developer every time.
Respect for beneficiaries’ images: Don’t publish photos of beneficiaries, especially children, without clear consent and in a way that preserves their dignity.

Steps to launch a charity website

01
Gather the content
Prepare the introduction, projects, reports and approved photos before design starts.
02
Decide on donation methods
Check what is legally and banking-wise available, and write a short explanation of each method.
03
Design for mobile first
Test the site on a mid-range phone and a weak connection before launch.
04
Connect your channels
Link the site to your social pages and a WhatsApp button, and add the charity’s office to Google Maps.
05
Update regularly
Assign someone to publish an update or report on a regular basis, because an abandoned website weakens trust.

Facebook page or charity website?

Aspect	Facebook page	Charity website
Ownership	Subject to the platform’s rules and decisions	An address and domain the charity owns
Showing reports	Posts that sink further down over time	An organised reports page that is easy to return to
Finding the charity	Older content is hard to reach	A clear page for every project and report that shows in search results
Day-to-day contact	Fast and direct with followers	Complements the page rather than replacing it

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Frequently asked questions

Is a Facebook page enough instead of a website?

A page is useful for daily contact, but it doesn’t present reports and projects in an organised way, and it can be affected by platform decisions. A website is a permanent address the charity owns.

Can we accept donations directly through the website?

That depends on the banking and legal options currently available to the charity. Check them first, and if direct payment isn’t available, explain the approved alternative methods clearly.

How many pages does the site need at first?

You can start with the essential pages listed above, then add a page for each new project and regular report.

Should we write content in Arabic only?

Arabic first for your local audience and the diaspora, adding English if your supporters include organisations or individuals who don’t read Arabic.

Who can help us build the website?

You can contact ONE DIGITAL’s branch in Hama to review your content and needs and suggest a site structure that suits your charity.