How to write a good "About us" page for your group

The About page is often one of the most visited pages on a group's website. People land on it when they are deciding whether to come along, book the hall or get involved. A good one is short, warm and easy to skim.

Start with what you do and who it is for

The first sentence should answer "what is this?" for someone who has never heard of you. "For example: Ashby Hall is the village hall for Ashby and the surrounding area, used for classes, parties and community events" is better than a long story about the building's history.

Say who you are, gently

People like people. A line about who runs the group, and how long it has been going, builds trust. Volunteers do not need to be named if they would rather not be. "Run by a committee of local volunteers" is honest and enough.

A simple structure that works

What we do in two or three sentences
Who we are for, including any age or ability information
When and where we meet
A little history, if it helps, kept short
How to join in, or how to get in touch

Add a photo, carefully

A picture of the hall, the field or the group at work makes the page feel alive. Where people, and especially children, are in the photo, make sure you have their permission first. There are questions to ask in our photo checklist.

Things to avoid

Long paragraphs about your constitution, which can go on a separate page
In-jokes and acronyms that only members understand
Out-of-date details such as a committee that has since changed
Promises you cannot keep, such as "everyone is welcome at any time"

If it takes more than a minute to read, it is probably too long. Put the details further down the page or on their own page.

Not sure what to put? Send me a few notes and I will turn them into a clear About page for your group as part of the build. Start with the page for groups.