10 Best Association Websites + Tips For Building Your Own
At the heart of your association's online presence lies a dynamic and informative member website. This digital platform serves as a vital tool for fostering connections among members, facilitating interactions with your organization, and showcasing external opportunities such as jobs or volunteer positions.
However, hastily assembling a website in the hopes of meeting member needs falls short of the mark. Crafting an effective association website requires deliberate planning and thoughtful design.
By investing time and effort into this process, you can develop a website that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of your members, providing them with a valuable resource for years to come.
A prudent first step in the design (or redesign) of your association's website is to explore the websites of other organizations. Drawing inspiration from innovative and creative website designs can guide you in selecting a distinct and impactful direction for your own website.
In this post, we'll help you get started by first exploring the best association websites out there that are created with different types of website builders. Then, we'll walk through some tips for building your own website:
- Best Association Websites Built With an Association-Specific Website Builder
- Best Association Websites Built With Generic Website Builders
- 5 Quick Tips for Building Your Own Association Website
Ready to enhance your members' experience by crafting an interactive and captivating association website? Let's get started!
Top Association Websites Developed Using Morweb, a Premier Association-Specific Website Builder
In the realm of association website development, the choice of website builder plays a pivotal role. Opting for a platform tailored specifically to associations ensures access to user-friendly tools and specialized resources like private member pages and donation features. Dive into this segment as we showcase seven outstanding association websites crafted with Morweb, renowned as one of the leading association-specific website builders available.
1. International Association of Fairs and Expositions
Unveiling the Excellence: The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Website
The website of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) stands out as a beacon of creativity and functionality in the realm of association websites. By incorporating vibrant shapes and captivating animations, IAFE's website effortlessly immerses visitors in the excitement of the events it represents. Moreover, striking a harmonious balance between innovative design and informative content, the website addresses visitors' key queries such as membership benefits and eligibility criteria with precision.
Notably, the website boasts a visually compelling identity characterized by bold colors, captivating image banners, and distinctive fonts, all meticulously aligned with the association's branding. Prioritizing memberships, the website strategically integrates colorful buttons in the navigation menu and eye-catching call-to-action banners across pivotal pages.
A standout feature of the website is its extensive online library, housing over 1,500 downloadable files. Members can seamlessly access and filter resources by category, ranging from toolkits and document templates to industry reports, enriching their experience manifold.
Key Insights from IAFE's Website:
IAFE's website, crafted with Morweb, epitomizes a bespoke design tailored to reflect the association's uniqueness. Leveraging Morweb's live drag-and-drop editor, the website ensures seamless content management and customization.
The association's preference for Morweb stems from its robust member-centric features, including member logins, private pages, online forms, and events pages, all seamlessly integrated into the website's architecture. Through intuitive navigation, visitors can effortlessly explore membership options, locate upcoming fairs, and access the members' portal.
IAFE's website serves as a source of inspiration for other associations aiming to elevate their online presence and cater effectively to their members' needs.
2. Poultry Science Association
Navigating Excellence: The Poultry Science Association (PSA) Website
The website of the Poultry Science Association (PSA) stands as a testament to elegance and functionality, showcasing a clean and minimalist design complemented by subtle pops of color. With a homepage adorned with recent news updates and downloadable resources, the website provides a seamless user experience. Noteworthy are the custom icons strategically placed to facilitate navigation through the membership process.
A distinctive feature of the PSA website is its unique navigation menu, featuring a blend of dropdown menus and quick links for enhanced accessibility. Moreover, the prominent "PSA Portal Login" button positioned in the top right corner ensures swift access to members-only resources and tools, fostering member engagement.
A Highlighted Feature: The interactive member directory, accompanied by an illustrative map, vividly portrays the global footprint of the association, enriching the user experience manifold.
Key Insights from the PSA Website:
The PSA website prioritizes membership-centricity from the outset, with the homepage featuring an insightful introduction to the association's members. The "Join" section further delineates the various membership options, streamlining the process for prospective members to join the association seamlessly.
Designed in collaboration with Morweb, the PSA website seamlessly integrates custom design elements aimed at accentuating membership benefits and encouraging visitor engagement. Whether it's joining the association, attending meetings, perusing publications, or contributing to the foundation, each action is seamlessly facilitated by Morweb's comprehensive website features.
In essence, the PSA website sets a benchmark for association websites, blending aesthetic appeal with functional excellence to cater effectively to its members' diverse needs.
3. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Soaring to New Heights: Unveiling the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Website
While not your typical association website, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s online platform stands out as a beacon of excellence in web design. Hosted annually in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this iconic balloon festival demands a sophisticated web presence to manage the registration of hundreds of hot air balloon pilots.
The Balloon Fiesta’s website boasts a captivating design that immerses visitors in the festival's vibrant atmosphere. Featuring dynamic page animations and a live countdown timer, the website offers a unique digital experience. Moreover, the organization ingeniously spotlights its hallmark feature—the hot air balloons—through stunning imagery that captures the majesty of balloons soaring through the skies.
Strategically placed bright call-to-action buttons and event announcements further heighten anticipation among visitors, while user-friendly quick links and a drop-down navigation menu ensure seamless navigation.
A Standout Feature: The inclusion of a live weather tracker in the website footer proves invaluable for both pilots and attendees, facilitating informed decision-making amid changing weather conditions.
Key Insights from the Balloon Fiesta Website:
Given the festival's scale and the regulatory intricacies associated with hot air balloon piloting, a dedicated members portal for pilots is indispensable. Leveraging the Morweb platform, the organization's website incorporates essential association features such as private pages, member logins, and custom forms tailored for the complex pilot application process.
By opting for a website design platform tailored specifically for associations, the Balloon Fiesta demonstrates how marrying compelling design with robust functionality can effectively cater to a diverse member base. The result is a visually striking website that seamlessly integrates powerful features, ensuring an unparalleled digital experience for all stakeholders.
In essence, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta website exemplifies innovation and efficiency, serving as a testament to the transformative impact of association-specific website builders.
4. International WAGR Syndrome Association
Empowering Awareness: Unveiling the International WAGR Syndrome Association Website
The International WAGR Syndrome Association (IWSA) stands as a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families impacted by WAGR syndrome—a rare genetic disorder. As a global nonprofit, IWSA is dedicated to raising awareness, advancing research, and providing vital support to those affected by this condition.
IWSA’s website serves as a comprehensive hub of information, skillfully blending educational content with captivating graphics to elucidate the intricacies of WAGR syndrome and inspire engagement in the organization's diverse programs and initiatives.
Key Highlights of the Association Website:
Rich Informational Resources: Catering to various stakeholders, including families, physicians, educators, and researchers, the website offers an extensive array of resources to deepen understanding and foster community support. Personal stories from individuals and families touched by WAGR syndrome lend a human touch to the organization's mission, underscoring the profound impact of its work.
Commitment to Accessibility: Notably, IWSA's website sets a gold standard in accessibility by adhering to Level A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. From keyboard navigation to screen reader compatibility, the website ensures inclusivity by incorporating user-friendly features that enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Unique web accessibility options empower users to customize their browsing experience, including text size adjustments, link highlighting, and greyscale conversion.
Morweb Partnership: IWSA partnered with Morweb, a leading design agency and content management system (CMS) provider specializing in nonprofit web solutions. Leveraging Morweb’s expertise, IWSA received a bespoke website design infused with nonprofit-specific features tailored to its unique needs and objectives.
Empowering Accessibility with Morweb: Recognizing the paramount importance of web accessibility, Morweb integrated essential accessibility features into IWSA's website, ensuring that individuals of all abilities can seamlessly access its invaluable resources and insights.
In essence, the International WAGR Syndrome Association website exemplifies a harmonious blend of informative content, captivating design, and unwavering commitment to accessibility.
By leveraging Morweb's expertise and embracing inclusive design principles, IWSA continues to empower and uplift the WAGR syndrome community, fostering a brighter future for all.
5. Association of Controls Professionals
Unveiling the Association of Controls Professionals Website
The Association of Controls Professionals (ACP) stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of building automation, providing a vibrant community and essential resources for professionals in the field. As a member-based organization, ACP's website serves as a dynamic gateway to its rich offerings, seamlessly blending style with professionalism to engage and inform its diverse audience.
Key Highlights of the Association Website:
Stylish and Professional Design: ACP's website exudes sophistication with its sleek design and captivating visual elements. From engaging page animations to custom icons, every detail reflects the organization's commitment to excellence. The cohesive theme, characterized by carefully chosen fonts, colour accents, and slanted shapes, harmoniously aligns with ACP's distinctive branding, creating a visually appealing and cohesive digital experience.
Membership Priority: With a keen focus on membership engagement, ACP's website prominently features membership-related content and calls to action. The inclusion of a prominent "Membership" button in the navigation menu and clear pathways to membership information throughout the homepage underscores the organization's dedication to serving its members' needs effectively.
Innovative BAS Marketplace: A standout feature of ACP's website is the BAS Marketplace page, which provides valuable insights into careers in building automation systems (BAS). The inclusion of statistics and a live counter of weekly mean BAS vacancies adds a dynamic dimension to the user experience, empowering professionals in the field with real-time industry insights.
Takeaways From This Best Association Website:
Strategic Communication: ACP's website excels in effectively communicating its mission and value proposition to both the general public and its target audience of control professionals. By striking a balance between accessibility and specificity, the website ensures that visitors gain a clear understanding of ACP's offerings while guiding professionals to member-specific content tailored to their needs.
Powered by Morweb: ACP's website is built on the Morweb platform, leveraging its advanced features and intuitive drag-and-drop editor for seamless content management. From homepage customization to blog updates, Morweb empowers ACP to maintain a dynamic online presence without the need for extensive technical expertise, ensuring flexibility and agility in responding to evolving needs and trends.
In essence, the Association of Controls Professionals website exemplifies a harmonious fusion of style, functionality, and user-centric design. By harnessing the capabilities of the Morweb platform and embracing a member-centric approach, ACP continues to elevate excellence in the realm of building automation, enriching the professional landscape and fostering community growth and collaboration.
6. National Council for History Education
Unveiling Excellence: The National Council for History Education Website
The National Council for History Education (NCHE) stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of history education, fostering a vibrant community of educators dedicated to promoting diverse perspectives and enriching historical understanding. NCHE's website serves as a powerful platform for advancing its mission, combining functionality with a compelling professional brand identity.
Key Highlights of the Association Website:
Engaging Homepage: NCHE's website greets visitors with a visually captivating homepage featuring a rotating banner that showcases diverse images, instantly drawing users into the historical narrative. Scrollable sections provide easy access to an array of resources, learning materials, upcoming events, and insightful blog posts, ensuring a seamless browsing experience.
Streamlined Navigation: The inclusion of prominently placed "Join," "Login," and "Donate" buttons in the top right corner of the website offers swift and convenient access to essential online resources, emphasizing NCHE's commitment to user accessibility and engagement.
Professional Branding: NCHE's website embodies a strong professional brand identity characterized by a cohesive color scheme, high-quality imagery, and meticulously curated resources. Through strategic design elements, including themes and templates provided by Morweb, the website conveys NCHE's dedication to education excellence and historical preservation.
Our Favorite Feature: The website's intuitive navigation and user-friendly interface make it effortless for visitors to explore NCHE's offerings and actively participate in the organization's initiatives, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among history educators.
Takeaways From This Best Association Website:
Powered by Morweb: NCHE's website harnesses the capabilities of Morweb to create a visually stunning and functionally robust online platform tailored to the organization's unique needs. With customizable themes and templates, NCHE effectively communicates its brand identity while offering an intuitive user experience for educators and history enthusiasts alike.
Commitment to Education Excellence: NCHE's website exemplifies the organization's unwavering commitment to promoting historical understanding and fostering a community of passionate educators. By leveraging Morweb's versatile tools and resources, NCHE continues to inspire and empower educators to shape the future through the study and appreciation of history.
In summary, the National Council for History Education website stands as a testament to the power of effective digital engagement in advancing education excellence and historical awareness. Through strategic design choices and user-centric features, NCHE continues to elevate the field of history education, enriching the lives of students and educators across the nation.
7. National Association of Postal Supervisors
Unveiling Excellence: The National Association of Postal Supervisors Website
The National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS) stands as a prime example of a specialized member-based organization, dedicated to serving the unique needs of postal supervisors nationwide. NAPS' website exemplifies excellence in communication and organization, effectively conveying the association's mission while providing valuable resources for current and prospective members.
Key Highlights of the Association Website:
Clear Communication: NAPS' homepage serves as a welcoming gateway, effectively communicating the association's purpose to both the general public and potential members. Through strategic messaging and engaging visuals, the website encourages visitors to explore further and consider joining the association.
Comprehensive Resources: NAPS' website is rich in content, offering a wealth of resources, external links, news stories, and online forms. Despite the extensive information presented, the association excels in organizing content into easily navigable sections, utilizing side menus, subheadings, and accordions to enhance user experience.
Interactive Features: A standout feature of the website is the "Find Your Branch" page, which provides visitors with a custom search option to locate information about member branches quickly. This interactive tool enhances accessibility and facilitates seamless navigation for users seeking specific information.
Our Favorite Feature: NAPS' commitment to member engagement is evident through its frequent updates, including upcoming events, breaking news, and additional resources. The integration of a live Facebook feed on the homepage further enhances connectivity and community engagement.
Takeaways From This Best Association Website:
Member-Centric Focus: Associations catering to specialized vocations can draw inspiration from NAPS' member-centric approach. By prioritizing the needs of its members and providing timely, relevant content, NAPS fosters a sense of community and fosters engagement within its membership base.
Powered by Morweb: NAPS' website is built on the Morweb platform, utilizing customizable association website themes to achieve a tailored, professional design. The intuitive editing capabilities offered by Morweb enable NAPS to maintain an up-to-date online presence, ensuring seamless navigation and accessibility for users.
In summary, the National Association of Postal Supervisors website epitomizes excellence in communication, organization, and member engagement. Through its user-friendly interface, comprehensive resources, and interactive features, NAPS continues to uphold its commitment to serving postal supervisors and advancing the profession nationwide.
Best Association Websites Built With Generic Website Builders
Some organizations opt to go with a generic website builder such as WordPress or Squarespace. This usually comes with some challenges, as these website builders weren't created with associations' needs in mind. However, you can still create a beautiful website with these tools, as long as you have some technical know-how. Let's look at three of the best websites built with Drupal, WordPress, and Squarespace.
1. Rotary International
Rotary's Inspiring Website: A Showcase of Humanitarian Excellence
Rotary International's website stands as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the organization's global network dedicated to humanitarian causes. From its visually captivating design to its seamless navigation, Rotary's website sets a benchmark for excellence in association web development. Let's delve into what makes Rotary's website one of the best in its class.
Visually Stunning Design:
Rotary's website captivates visitors from the moment they arrive, thanks to its engaging banner and dynamic page animations. The use of vibrant imagery and animated graphics effectively conveys the organization's mission and encourages visitors to explore further.
Efficient Navigation:
Despite its extensive content, Rotary manages its website's size effectively through a well-organized dropdown menu. Each page link is neatly categorized under different subheadings, ensuring easy navigation for visitors. Moreover, prominent placement of the "Join" and "Donate" pages ensures accessibility from any part of the website.
Compelling Cause Pages:
Rotary excels in storytelling through its individual cause pages, where each crisis is outlined with clarity, goals to combat the issue are defined, and actionable ways to contribute are presented. This approach not only educates visitors but also empowers them to make a difference.
Platform Powerhouse:
Built on Drupal, Rotary's website leverages the robust functionality of this powerful CMS platform. While Drupal offers a wealth of modules and themes, it's worth noting that its complexity may pose challenges for novice users. However, for organizations like Rotary, Drupal's capabilities are indispensable in delivering a seamless online experience.
Conclusion:
Rotary International's website stands as a testament to the power of effective web design in advancing humanitarian causes. By combining stunning visuals, intuitive navigation, and compelling storytelling, Rotary sets a high standard for association websites worldwide. As a shining example of excellence, Rotary's website inspires action and fosters global solidarity in addressing pressing humanitarian challenges.
2. Elementary Teachers of Toronto
Elevating Educators: Unveiling the Elementary Teachers of Toronto's Exceptional Website
The Elementary Teachers of Toronto's website stands out as a beacon of excellence in union web design, boasting a visually appealing interface and seamless functionality. Let's explore what makes this website one of the best in its class.
Attractive Design:
From tasteful color pops to subtle animations, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto's website exudes charm and professionalism. Custom icons effectively highlight important links, while previews of recent news and events keep visitors informed and engaged.
Engagement-Focused Approach:
The association actively encourages teacher participation by showcasing a live feed of their Twitter account on the homepage. Additionally, links to other social media channels in the footer foster online community engagement among members.
Streamlined Membership Process:
A standout feature of the website is its built-in registration forms, simplifying the process for new teachers to join the association and connect with fellow members through an intuitive online portal.
Platform Selection:
Designed by Simplistics on the WordPress platform, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto's website benefits from WordPress's versatile blog engine, which seamlessly powers its news and events sections. While WordPress offers a wide range of plugins for diverse functionality, it's important to note that managing content and design edits may pose challenges for non-technical users. In such cases, seeking assistance from a consultant for general website support is recommended.
Conclusion:
The Elementary Teachers of Toronto's website sets a high standard for union web design, combining aesthetic appeal with user-friendly features to enhance member engagement and facilitate seamless interaction. By leveraging the power of WordPress and incorporating innovative design elements, the association demonstrates its commitment to serving and empowering educators in Toronto and beyond.
3. Active Schools
Empowering Movement: Unveiling the Active Schools Association's Exemplary Website
Embark on a visual journey with the Active Schools Association's website, a vibrant platform dedicated to promoting physical activity in schools. Let's delve into what makes this website a standout among association platforms.
Visually Compelling Design:
The Active Schools website captivates visitors with its visually rich interface, featuring high-resolution images, dynamic graphics, and engaging embedded videos. This visual storytelling approach effectively communicates the movement's mission and inspires action.
Membership-Centric Focus:
With a clear emphasis on membership, the website prominently showcases a "Join the Movement" button, inviting parents and teachers to become part of the cause. Dedicated sections for parents and teachers provide valuable resources and information, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Noteworthy Features:
An exemplary feature of the website is the comprehensive "About Us" page, offering an in-depth overview of the association's mission, impact, and key partnerships. The inclusion of ambassador and partner profiles highlights the collective efforts driving the movement forward.
Key Insights:
Associations seeking to create visually appealing websites can draw inspiration from Active Schools' meticulous attention to design and content consistency. The seamless integration of text and imagery enhances user experience and reinforces brand identity.
Platform Selection:
Built on the Squarespace CMS, the Active Schools website leverages the platform's intuitive tools and visually stunning templates to create a captivating online presence. While Squarespace excels in aesthetics, associations may encounter limitations in customization, especially regarding event registration and template styling. However, these restrictions serve to maintain design integrity and prevent inexperienced users from compromising the site's visual appeal.
Conclusion:
The Active Schools Association's website exemplifies the power of design in inspiring social change and fostering community engagement. Through its visually compelling interface and user-centric features, the website empowers individuals to join the movement towards increased physical activity in schools, driving positive impact and collective action.
5 Quick Tips For Building Your Own Association Website
1. Choose the right website builder.
Selecting the appropriate website builder is crucial for creating a functional and visually appealing association website. Consider using an association-specific platform like Morweb, which offers intuitive tools tailored to the unique needs of associations. With Morweb, you can design a professional website without the need for extensive coding knowledge, ensuring a seamless website-building experience.
2. Design with your brand in mind.
Maintain consistency with your organization's branding throughout your website. Incorporate elements such as colours, logos, imagery, and fonts that align with your brand identity. Consistent branding enhances recognition and professionalism, reinforcing trust among members and stakeholders.
3. Create members-only resources.
Offer exclusive content and resources to members to enhance the value of association membership. Consider implementing features like a member directory, job board, online forum, or industry-specific resource library. Utilize password-protected networks to restrict access to these members-only resources, incentivizing membership enrollment.
4. Optimize for accessibility.
Prioritize accessibility to ensure all individuals, regardless of ability, can access and navigate your website effectively. Take steps to optimize your website for accessibility, such as ensuring compatibility across devices, using high-contrast images and captions, incorporating alt text for screen readers, and employing easy-to-read fonts and colours. Integrating accessibility widgets can further enhance the user experience for all visitors.
5. Integrate with social media.
Enhance your website's visibility and engagement by integrating social media platforms. Incorporate live social media feeds or prominent links to your organization's social profiles on your website. Encourage visitors to interact with your content and share resources on their own social networks, fostering community engagement and expanding your online presence.
The Gist:
After drawing inspiration from top association websites, equipping yourself with the right tools, and learning some quick tips, you're prepared to embark on designing your association website.
Keep in mind the specific needs and expectations of your members as you craft your website. Your association is distinct, and your website should reflect its uniqueness by providing tailored resources and experiences for your members.
Interested in exploring more about association management and web design tips? Check out these additional resources:
- Member Engagement: The Actionable Guide to Boost Retention. Looking to better engage and retain your association's members? This guide can help you strengthen your strategy.
- Association Website Best Practices: Designing for Success. Now that you know the basics of association website design, you're ready to learn more. Check out these eight best practices for creating the website of your dreams!
- 5 Effective Donation Page Design Tips (Plus Examples!). If your organization depends on donations, you can't neglect your online donation page. Learn five design tips that are critical for donation page success.
