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Getting the right deal

Many companies do special deals for charities. Unfortunately, there is no standard way of charging or setting up a web facility at present. You need to get a number of companies to quote for the work you want doing. Get them to explain what updating will be done by whom, when, and at what cost, or negotiate this. A clearly out-of-date web site reduces credibility! What time scales are they working to in design, who will be hosting (where your web site data/pages are actually kept) and are they likely to provide a reliable service with enough capacity for the level of interest you hope to generate?

Above all, make sure you get a specification which takes into account your existing IT systems (if any) and every aspect you need to keep it going for at least a year. (For example, could be hidden costs of extra pages above your basic agreement, need for expensive links to 'upload' data.)

Use of accessibility criteria and W3 standards is of increasing importance for any organisation. Reminder - # against a listing indicates a site which appears to have accesibility issues (not necessarily a rigourous asessment). Open Source software is gradually making headway, reducing basic costs but still usually needing help to implement, tweak design and interface with other systems. Sites like OpenSourceCMS have fairly techie info on the options. Watch for further developments.

Service Providers

Mainly technical - ISP, hosting, packages

• 3TC 4U (3rd Sector Technology Centre) offers a range of services to the third sector on Merseyside.
  
  
• GreenNet provides web services to organisations involved in peace, eonomic and social justice, human rights, environmental sustainability issues. Dialup, email, web hosting etc. Phone 0845 055 4011 / 020 7065 0935.
  
  
• The Information Works Associated with Co-op Systems, specialising in web databases, web site support and strategy. Unit 4.09 Bondway Business Centre, 71 Bondway, London, SW8 1SQ, phone 020 7793 0677, email: team@infoworks.co.uk
  
  
• Networks Online is a 'network of networks' providing and linking community networks in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Instant relevant content, shared and confidential areas, email, web publishing and maintenance etc. Its a not-for-profit venture between National Rural Enterprise Centre and Bright Red Dot Foundation, and is strong on regeneration and funding content. Phone 024 7669 6986, email: info@networksonline.org.uk
  
  
• The internet packages previously provided by Poptel have been taken on by The Phone Coop. Phone 0800 781 3344.
  
  
• See also ISPs listed under Online Fundraising. For simple internet access for the cost of the phone call try BT Click, dial 0845 6091300, user BT Click, no password (from UkRiders list, Dec 04).

Mainly design and development

Also see specialist software developers, or more specific web-based facilities.

• Baigent designs and develops sites controlled with Site Manager content management system. Charity sector specialists; clients include British Red Cross, Children's Society. Phone 01494 770 120, email: enquiries@baigent.net
  
  
• Blend Creative Accessible sites, content management system, e-Commerce system and online booking facility.
  
  
• Catfish Web Design produces anything from small 'start-up' sites to more complex designs with databases, e-commerce and content management systems - conform to W3C web-accessibility guidelines. Can also help with logo design, image branding and internet based marketing. Clients include Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Brain Research Trust, naz project london. Phone 01223 873349, email: info@catfishwebdesign.com
  
  
• Codeface, a small web solutions agency, has worked with a variety of voluntary organisations. Office 11, Curtis House, 34 Third Avenue,Hove, BN3 2PD.
  
  
• Designing for Life is a social enterprise - profits go to parent company Training For Life.
  
  
• Doodleweb Design Strong on accessibility, reflected in their own well-designed site. Plus the team seems to have the right approach having been involved in various charities and small community organisations.
  
  
• dotMailer (was Ellipsis Media) has produced Water Aid's site, driven by the dotEditor CMS.
  
  
• Electric Putty Works predominantly with organisations in the non-profit sector and specialises in creating accessible information based websites using their own content management system.
  
  
• Ethical Media 'provide the media and communications solutions needed to achieve the social and environmental aims of your organisation.'
  
  
• Fat Beehive Done stuff for Action Research, Coin Street. Flexible pricing. Website, consultancy, design, backend, databases, browser testing, hosting, content management systems, e-commerce. 59 Rivington St, London, EC2A 3QQ, phone 020 7739 8704.
  
  
• FreeCharity (link problem May 08) Provides free IT services to charity, focusing on hosting web sites, using WordPress.
  
  
• Frieze Web Design# has a policy that "charities pay only what they can afford". 4 years experience working with non-profit organisations including the Scarman Trust and International Health Exchange. Email: enquiries@friezedesign.co.uk
  
  
• Geoff Wilkins With a voluntary sector background, over 10 years experience in web site planning and design, HTML coding, interactive programming in Perl/CGI, Java and Javascript, image-editing, PHP/MySQL database development, and site promotion. Email: GeoffW@wordsmith.demon.co.uk
  
  
• Graham Bond Visual Communications provides design for print and Web site services for initiatives involved in sustainable development and social change. (Web site also also provides provides info on sustainability issues.) 85 Barrowfield Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4DG, phone 01453 758279, email: visual@towards-sustainability.co.uk
  
  
• GreenNet Design specialize in 'creating fine web sites for the NGO and non-profit community'. 74-77 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PF, phone 020 7713 1941, email: adrian@gn.apc.org
  
  
• Headscape Have worked with National Trust, National Parks, and other charities, and strong on accessibility aspects.
  
  
• Hugh Barnard Web design and programming (using open source tools), consultancy and teaching at all levels. Voluntary sector references available. Based in Hackney, East London.
  
  
• Jake-v Bilingual web design for voluntary organisations (e.g. Welsh and English)
  
  
• Jamkit From simple web sites to complex extranets and mailing lists, with a particular emphasis on usability, accessibility and client control. Customers include Moorfields Eye Hospital, Breast Cancer Care, London Housing Foundation. Phone 020 7549 0520, email: info@jamkit.com
  
  
• Jim Byrne Accessible web design, audits and training.
  
  
• Lucy Thomas Freelance web designer offering small to medium sized sites at reasonable prices. Also larger projects in collaboration with others. See her web site or phone: 020 7278 4493, email: lucy.thomas@poptel.net
  
  
• Omega Alpha Web design and development, Content management, Technical support, Web hosting, Database driven websites, Internet strategy, Accessibility and compliance services. 16 Percival Street, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 0BE, phone 01254 301569, email: omega@omega-alpha.com
  
  
• Open Mute 'Internet tools for cultural and community organisations'. Some free services but also custom (paid) web applications and design.
  
  
• regenIT develop information systems, including system design, databases and web sites. PO Box 5066, Hove, BN52 9AW, phone 01273 724586, email: team@regenit.co.uk
  
  
• Social Spider design, communication and social action agency. A Community Interest Company based in Islington.
  
  
• Sparkleweb Produce web sites that can store data online, allow content changes, with secure areas, discussion boards etc. Work to level AAA of the W3C Accessibility guidelines.
  
  
• spotts Website Development for the Voluntary Sector by a freelance developer.
  
  
• Stamper Consulting (link problem Nov 08) produces database-driven web sites. Has done a content management system for Campaign for Learning, and produced an online event booking system.
  
  
• Suspire Media# A number of charity clients. Phone 020 8521 8505, email: info@suspire.co.uk
  
  
• tincan Their portfolio shows that they have produced a number of content managment system based web sites for major charities and arts organisations.
  
  
• Torchbox RationalMedia content management system, web-based software such as management information systems and reporting applications, online community building, consultancy, training, managed hosting and support services. Charities and public sector are core areas.
  
  
• VolResource See our consultancy advert - we can advise on web matters for smaller organisations.
  
  
• WebTrust.org.uk A Scottish charity which designs, publishes and supports web pages, alongside some training. As well as professional staff, they take on skilled volunteers and have limited funding to provide free services.

Pot Luck

The following have said they are interested in working with voluntary organisations, but info is limited:

• Jordan IT Services#
• Wave Design.