If you run a nonprofit or small organization, you have probably told yourself the same thing a hundred times: “We need a website.” And then nothing happens, because you assume it is going to cost hundreds of dollars and require a developer.
It does not. You can launch a real, professional nonprofit website for under $20, and we are going to show you exactly how.
What You Actually Need to Get Started
To launch your nonprofit website, you need two things: a domain name and website hosting. That is it. A domain name is your address on the web (like yournonprofit.org or yourcommunity.fyi). Hosting is the service that keeps your site live and accessible to anyone with a browser.
If you are not sure what the difference is between a domain, hosting, and email, this quick explainer will help before you dive in.
Step 1: Choose Your Domain Name
Your domain is your organization’s home on the internet. We love the .fyi extension for nonprofits and community groups because it’s short for “for your information,” which fits perfectly for organizations that exist to serve and inform.
A .fyi domain runs around $9 for the year, less than a lunch out. You can search for and register your domain here. Every domain registered through Cyber Grapes includes free WHOIS privacy protection, so your personal name, address, and phone number stay out of the public directory.
Not sure what domain name to pick? A good rule of thumb: keep it short, keep it memorable, and make it easy to spell out loud. If the .org version of your name is available, grab it too.
Step 2: Pick Your Website Builder
Here is where a lot of nonprofits get stuck, so let us make this simple. You have two solid options depending on how comfortable you are with technology.
Option A: Website Builder (Easiest)
If the word “WordPress” makes you nervous, start here. Our Website Builder is a drag-and-drop tool built for people who are not tech-savvy. Pick a template, add your text and photos, and your site is live. No plugins, no coding, no learning curve.
Plans start at $4.99 per month for a basic site. If your organization takes donations, the Business plan at $8.99 per month includes a built-in PayPal Buy Now or Donate button, which saves you the trouble of setting that up separately. Add your domain (~$9) and your first month comes in right around $18.
Option B: WordPress Hosting (Most Flexible)
WordPress powers more than 40% of all websites on the internet. It gives you more control, more customization options, and a much larger library of free tools to grow with over time. It has a slightly higher learning curve than the Website Builder, but it is still very manageable for a motivated volunteer or staff member.
WordPress hosting through Cyber Grapes starts at just $8.99 per month and includes WordPress pre-installed, a free SSL certificate, and everything your site needs to go live. Add a domain and your first month comes in right around $18.
Not sure which path is right for your organization? Here is a comparison that breaks it down without the jargon.
What Can You Do With It?
Either way you go, you get a full website you can manage yourself. Add pages, post updates, share your mission, and connect with your community. No coding required.
Once your site is live, consider adding a professional email address that matches your domain, like hello@yournonprofit.fyi. It looks far more credible than a Gmail address when you are reaching out to donors, partners, or volunteers. Professional email through Cyber Grapes starts at $1.99 per month.
And if you ever want to take donations online, keep donor data safe, or connect your site to a payment processor, website security and regular automated backups are smart next steps to protect everything you have built.
Ready to Get Your Nonprofit Online?
Your community is already looking for you online. Now there is nothing standing in the way.