Choosing a digital agency as a nonprofit is different from choosing one as a business. You have a smaller budget, you are accountable to funders and a board, and you need a partner who understands the nonprofit sector — not just one who says they do. Here is what to look for and what to avoid.
1. Sector experience is not optional
Ask for specific nonprofit clients and case studies. Any agency can say they work with nonprofits. What you want to see is a portfolio of nonprofit websites, member portals, or digital systems they have actually delivered. Ask them what AODA means, what a donor CRM integration looks like, and how they handle accessibility. If they hesitate on any of these, move on.
2. Be wary of agencies that lead with design
A beautiful website that is not accessible, not integrated with your CRM, and not maintained is a liability, not an asset. The best nonprofit digital agencies lead with questions about your users, your systems, and your goals — not with design mockups. Design should come after strategy.
3. Ask who will actually do the work
Many agencies sell the work and then outsource it to freelancers overseas. Ask specifically: who will design my site, who will write the code, and who will I call if something breaks six months after launch? You want a team, not a project manager who sub-contracts everything.
4. Understand the total cost of ownership
A low build cost can hide a high ongoing cost. Ask about hosting, maintenance, plugin licenses, support hours, and what happens when WordPress needs updating. A good agency will give you a clear annual cost estimate, not just a project quote.
5. Make sure they will train your team
After launch, your staff need to be able to update content, add events, and manage members without calling the agency every time. Insist on training and documentation. If an agency is not offering this, they want you dependent on them — and that is expensive in the long run.
What to ask in your first meeting
- Can you show me three nonprofit websites you have built in the last two years?
- How do you approach AODA accessibility compliance?
- Do you have experience integrating with Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge?
- Who specifically will work on my project?
- What does ongoing support look like after launch?
- What is the annual cost beyond the build?
Noble Pixels has worked exclusively with Canadian nonprofits and mission-driven organizations for over 15 years. Tell us about your project →
