Web Design Resources from the TechSoup Global Network

In the spirit of TechSoup's new look, we've compiled a list of resources and products from around our global network on website design, planning, and management. Whether you're thinking about making some small enhancements to your organization's website or planning a complete redesign, you'll find plenty of useful information and tips from TechSoup and our global partners.  

Design and Multimedia

A well-designed website doesn't require a large budget and a professional design team. Take a look at some of our resources and products available through the TechSoup donation program:

• TechSoup's Adobe Donation Program provides a range of software for revamping your organization's website. 
• Should you redesign your website from scratch or simply tweak it for better usability? TechSoup Canada offers four points to consider when planning your organization's website.
• Available through TechSoup, Microsoft Expression Studio 4 Ultimate is a family of tools for designers building web and Windows client applications and rich media content.
• The COO of 99designs, a design firm based in Australia and San Francisco, guest blogged about web design for Connecting Up, TechSoup's Australia and New Zealand partner. He explains how important it is to invest in good design for your organization's online presence.
• You can build a great-looking, professional website for your organization without being a design expert (and without going over budget). TechSoup's A Cooperative Approach to Web Design guides you through the key components and questions to consider when building a website. Be sure to watch the accompanying webinar on web design as well.
• The Greenbelt Alliance, a nonprofit in the San Francisco Bay Area, shared 10 lessons learned from its major website overhaul.
• Watch a replay of TechSoup's Short Evaluations of Real Websites webinar to hear expert feedback on nonprofit and library websites. 

Website Building, Planning, and Management

Looks aren't the only important element of a well-designed website. These articles and products can help you build your website from the ground up as well as inspire enhancements or new features on an existing site.  

• In A Nonprofit's Guide to Building Simple, Low Cost Websites, we share tools and ideas for building a simple, attractive website without breaking the bank.
• Also available through TechSoup, Shopify is a service that helps you add an online store component to your organization's website.      
• Adding a calendar to your nonprofit or library's website is an easy way to share events and build return visitors. Free Ways to Add a Calendar to Your Website walks you through various social networking and third-party tools for nonprofits and libraries.
• Connecting Up held webinars on two open-source content management systems: Introducing the Joomla CMS and Introducing the Drupal CMS.
• Microsoft Sharepoint 2010 is a CMS available through TechSoup's Microsoft Donation Program.  

Mobile Optimization

As more people are accessing the Internet from their smartphones or tablets, mobile optimization for websites is becoming increasingly important.

• Check out this thread in in the TechSoup forum on testing websites across multiple devices.
• TechSoup Canada hosted a webinar on Optimizing Your Website for Mobile Devices that covered the basics of creating a smartphone- and tablet-friendly site. 

Image: Graphic designer, Shutterstock