Here’s a set of clear, user-friendly suggestions tailored to guide small local community groups in the UK in creating content needed for their website. The suggestions are organised by page or section to help structure the website effectively:
Homepage
We’ll start with the content needed for your homepage, then move on to the about us, events, and contact us pages.
Introduction:
- Write a short, friendly introduction to your group.
- Include your group’s name and a sentence about what makes your community group special.
- Example: “We are [Group Name], a local community group in [Location], bringing people together through [type of activity/support].”
Highlight Key Offerings:
- List the main events, services, or activities you provide (e.g., classes, workshops, clubs).
- Write 1–2 sentences for each to explain what they involve and why they are beneficial.
Call to Action:
- What would you like website visitors to do next? (e.g., “Join us for our next event!” or “Sign up to our newsletter.”)
- Provide a clear button or link text, like “See Upcoming Events” or “Contact Us.”
About Us
Mission and Vision:
- What is your group’s mission or purpose?
- Why was your group started, and what inspires your work?
- Your Story:
- Share a brief history of your group. When and how was it founded?
- Mention any key milestones or achievements.
Your Team:
- Introduce your team or volunteers.
- Include names, roles, and 1–2 sentences about their involvement, if possible.
Events/What We Offer
Event Descriptions:
- List all upcoming or regular events, activities, or services.
- For each, include:
- Event name.
- A short description (1–2 sentences).
- Who it’s for (e.g., “Open to all ages” or “For over-50s only”).
- Any requirements (e.g., “No registration needed” or “Bring your own equipment”).
Timings and Locations:
- Specify when and where events take place.
- If events are held online, include a link or registration details.
Event Updates:
- How can visitors stay informed about new or updated events?
- Include a link to a calendar or newsletter sign-up.
Contact Us
How to Reach You:
- List the ways people can contact you (e.g., email, phone, social media, or a contact form).
- Example: “You can email us at [email], call us on [phone number], or fill in the form below.”
Response Times:
- How quickly can people expect a reply?
- Example: “We aim to respond within 2–3 business days.”
Address and Map:
- If your group has a physical location, provide the full address.
- Include a map or link to Google Maps, if possible.
Tips for Structuring Content Across Pages
- Use the Homepage as a welcoming space that introduces your group and highlights the most important information, like upcoming events or recent news.
- The About Us page should provide a deeper insight into your group’s mission, history, and team.
- Use a dedicated Events or What We Offer page for detailed information about your activities.
- The Contact Us page should make it easy for visitors to reach you and get involved.
Final Note.
I encourage you to:
- Be specific (e.g., instead of “We help everyone,” say “We support young families in [town].”).
- Use a warm and inclusive tone that reflects your community spirit.
- Keep paragraphs short and include headings to make the content easy to skim.
Using the framework above ensures you’ll have all the content needed and your content will be clear, engaging, and easy for your website visitors to navigate.
Don’t get too bogged down trying to create perfect content for each page of your website. Using WordPress (or even ChatGPT) you can change or improve the text at any time, just as you would in a word processor. So, start with good enough content and improve it over time.