What to put on a club or society website: a checklist

The most useful club websites are not the fanciest. They answer the questions a newcomer has, quickly. Here is a checklist you can use whether you run a sports club, a hobby society or a weekly class.

1. Who you are

• What the group does, in two or three plain sentences
• Who it is for, including age range and level
• How long it has been running, if that helps people trust you

2. When and where

• Days, times and the venue address
• A map link and any parking or access details
• What to do if a session is cancelled

3. What it costs

• Fees, and whether there is a free first session
• How to pay
• Any kit or equipment people need to bring

4. How to join

Say exactly what a newcomer should do next. Turn up? Fill in a form? Phone someone? Vague joining instructions lose more members than almost anything else.

5. Contact details

• One phone number or email that is checked regularly
• A contact form, so people who do not want to phone can still reach you

6. News and events

A short, current list of what is coming up. Remove old events, because a page full of dates in the past makes the whole site look abandoned.

7. Photos

Photos make a group feel real. Only use photos you have permission to publish, and be extra careful with children. I have written a separate guide on photos of children on group websites.

8. The policies people expect

• A privacy policy, because your contact form collects personal data
• A cookie policy, if your site uses cookies
• Any safeguarding information your group uses, where it applies

9. A plan for keeping it fresh

Decide now who sends changes, and how often. A site that is updated a little every week stays useful. Read more in keeping a group website up to date.

If you would like a site built with all of this included, take a look at how it works for groups.