Types of Websites
May 25, 2004

Can you heal the world and save a degenerating world with a web site? It's debatable. But if you are going to try you will need a non-profit web site.

What's a Non-Profit Web Site?
Web sites that aren't considered a business or personal use web site are usually non-profit web sites. Common patrons for non-profit web sites include: educational, government and religious organizations. For non-profit organizations the World Wide Web can be a valuable tool in furthering their cause, and sharing information and ideas.

Learning to Spot Non-Profit Sites
Non-profit web sites can often be identified by their unique domain name, or URL, extensions. Some non-profit suffixes are .edu, .gov, and .org. While .org is open to general public registration, it is generally respected as a non-profit extension. However, the .edu and .gov extensions are only registered under strict conditions to maintain the integrity of the suffix.

Online Possibilities for Non-profits
Here are some possibilities of how a non-profit organization could make good use of a web site:

Educational Web Site
No longer separated by oceans, scientists, located in various reaches of the globe, can communicate by forum, blog and email on a common web site to share information, findings, photos and studies. By putting their minds together through the use of technology these professionals expand the work of science and make new discoveries.

Religious Web Site
Charged by his quest to share his beliefs with the world, Pastor Joe and his local congregation decide to build a web site. They post meeting times, meeting locations, Q & A pages about their beliefs, contact information and forms, and photos and bios to get to know the clergy. Now they can share their message with more people and just hand out their web site address to friends and family who want to know more.

Government Web Site
The city council votes to increase their tourism efforts by creating a web site. Through their web site this small town is able to inform guests and residents of happenings, special events, news, local business opportunities, city economy fast facts, tourist sites to see, and even advertise local businesses. City leaders have a forum to communicate with residents and this fast growing community is able to maintain its cohesiveness.

Web Hosts for Non-Profit Web Sites
If you are thinking of creating a non-profit web site you may consider using a free host, such as Freeservers, 20m, or Netfirms. These web hosts will make your site live for no charge, and will put an advertisement banner or ad on your web site to fund the hosting. If your non-profit organization requires a more complex or professional site consider a paid web host like BlueHost or Globat. There are also some web hosts who cater specifically to non-profit organizations, like LeagueLineup.com who host amateur sports team web sites for free.

Related Web Tools:
What is ICANN?