THE FIRST TIME A WEB DESIGNER RIPPED ME OFF
How Our Poorly-Created Websites Hobble We Humanitarians
Over time, I have noticed a trend: We humanitarians do inspiring work that uplifts people in need but let’s be real, most of us simply don’t have the time or interest to build our own websites, fiddling with custom coding, or writing the copy needed for each page of our sites. So it’s no surprise that most of the humanitarians I know, have pretty shabby websites.
For example: Recently, an incredible photo-journalist friend of mine who has documented labor movements around the world told me, “I know my site sucks but I won’t be able to work on it for another 6 months because I am swamped.”
BUILDING WEBSITES JUST ISN’T OUR PRIORITY
We just want to be in the trenches helping people. And frankly, that is one of the qualities about us that makes us so effective at changing the world for the better: we are laser focused on doing the “good work” and making what we perceive as our biggest impact so we may say:
“I don’t have the time.”
“I don’t want to invest the money.”
“I don’t want to be ripped off by a web developer.”
And so we do nothing and go years and years with terrible websites while doing amazing work for humanity. The irony is that by not prioritizing our websites in the short run, we are actually potentially hurting our careers and limiting our impact in the long run in.
3 (okay 4) Critical Issues:
Getting Grants
When we apply for grants, the grant-giving company, organization, or foundation will absolutely look at your website not only to learn who you are but also the design tells them about the quality of your work.
Job Acquisition
Humanitarian jobs are highly competitive so when an organization is reviewing multiple candidates, think of your website as a digital resume. Applicants with better-designed sites that communicate more effectively about who you are make a better impression.
Nominations For Awards
Humanitarian award nominations are based on your career’s work and sometimes they are done anonymously by reviewing your websites and other key pieces of information. It is important to give off a strong impression to the Award Committees!
Being Found By Like-Minded Funders
Humanitarians benefit by being found by supporters of many types. This can be dramatically helped by having a website with effective search terms, Google searchability, proper header usage, keywords, and beyond.
THE PROBLEM:
The problem is that most developers are OVERPRICED and even if they can design well, they don’t have the ethos of a humanitarian. So then you have to hire an empathy-driven writer to write your copy. That already starts sounding expensive.
So I began helping friends who do important work avoid getting ripped off by making their sites for free.
And they began to hire me and tell their friends. And soon enough, I was making my clients the sites I would want to see created if I was running their projects or if their personal resume was my own.
I AM A UNIQUE ONE-STOP-SHOP:
Empathy-Driven Copy-Writer
I apply my intuitive skills as a born-empath to feel into your project and tease out the most emotionally-resonant parts of your story to touch the hearts of your audience.
Humanitarian Web Designer
With that humanitarian lens, I can custom build an incredible website that communicates your amazing stories, accomplishments, and beyond.
Global Project Creator
We can then begin to create incredible, inspiring content for your site that best positions you to overcome the massive setbacks most humanitarians face from poorly-created websites and maximize your potential to change lives.
EXAMPLES OF MY WORK:
ABeautifulBodyProject.org: a Pinterest-style global media platfrom seen by millions in 190 countries.
SheIsRising.org: supporting survivors of rape, domestic violence and sex trafficking.
WomanSpeak.com: empowering women & girls globally to find their voice through public speaking.
LindaAlleySarnack.com for her yoga and meditation offerings.
Tucson’s #1 Board Certified Nutritionist Lauren Kanzler’s site.
FedByThreads.com an ethical fashion e-commerce site dedicated to sweatshop-free clothing & feeding people in need.
Alok Appadurai
Humanitarian. Global Project Developer. Father.
Alok helps clients all over the world build emotional brand stories, websites, and projects that make the world a better place. He believes in the power of humanity to uplift those in need, is moved by stories of human resiliency and our collective ability to overcome tremendous obstacles together. www.Alok.Life