Nobody is better at changing the world on a shoestring budget than nonprofit organizations. To make the most significant difference, though, you need exposure. One of the best ways to get exposure is through search engine optimization (SEO), but many charities don’t have the funds for a significant nonprofit SEO budget. Not to worry — your nonprofit’s SEO budget doesn’t have to limit your site’s search rankings.
As an SEO company with roots in advocacy, NisonCo is an expert on DIY SEO for nonprofits. We want to share our guide to free and cheap SEO strategies for nonprofits and charitable organizations.
1. A Free SEO Audit Can Give You a Starting Point
Let’s face it: SEO can be complicated. With so many factors contributing to where your site appears in search results, it can be challenging to know where to start.
An SEO audit from an experienced SEO firm can give you invaluable information that you can leverage to start optimizing your website and increasing your search rankings.
NisonCo offers free SEO audits for prospective clients and nonprofits on a tight budget. Contact us, and we’ll start working on an audit tailored to your nonprofit’s website.
2. Perform Basic Nonprofit SEO Keyword Research
Once you’ve gotten the results of your free SEO audit and have a starting point for your website optimization, you can do some basic keyword research. These are a couple of our go-to platforms for brainstorming keyword ideas:
— Google Trends is a great place to get basic information about which keywords consumers use most often. This tool provides some basic geographic information, too, which makes it an excellent tool for basic local SEO.
— Answer the Public is an excellent resource for finding real-world search phrases. You’ll need to subscribe to access all the features, but the free version is excellent for idea generation.
— There are many other free keyword research tools available online, too.
For more in-depth analysis of keywords and phrases, search volumes, and keyword difficulty, you’ll likely need to pay for software or work with an SEO agency with access to and knowledge of these programs. However, these tools are a solid place to start your research.
Let your charitable foundation work to improve this world while our experienced SEO team spruces up your online presence. Click the image above to connect with our team today.
3. Seek Out Free SEO Resources for Nonprofits
In addition to keyword research tools, the Internet is home to a plethora of free SEO guides, blogs, and resources—including the NisonCo blog!
We know from experience how hard nonprofits work to make a difference with a modest budget, so we’ve tried to create valuable resources to help you reach your DIY SEO goals. The NisonCo blog covers everything from the basics, like what SEO is, to more complex topics, like how to use specific analytics platforms.
Let us know if there are any topics we’ve missed that would be especially helpful to your nonprofit! We might use your suggestions for a future SEO blog or resource guide.
4. Take Advantage of Google Ad Grants for Nonprofits
Did you know nonprofits can get up to $10,000 worth of Google ads every month, totally free? It’s true! Google gives out grants to qualified nonprofits, allowing these organizations to significantly increase their reach through well-placed ads.
Whether you want to increase traffic, bring in new volunteers, or source donations, Google Ads can be an incredible boon to nonprofits. Google estimates that the average Google Ads campaign delivers an 800% return on investment (ROI). If you’re a nonprofit that receives a grant for the ads, that ROI becomes even more impressive.
5. Consider Working with a Pro Bono or Low Bono SEO Firm
If SEO sounds like too much to manage on top of your existing duties facilitating your nonprofit, consider partnering with an SEO firm that’s well-versed in helping nonprofits increase their web presence and make a difference.
NisonCo has extensive experience working with nonprofits; the company arose from founder Evan Nison’s own activism efforts. We’ve been honored to offer pro bono and low bono SEO services for nonprofits dedicated to making a difference in the world that we live in. We also provide limited engagements and a la carte services for nonprofit companies that need help starting their SEO campaigns or navigating particularly tricky optimization problems.
NisonCo Pairs Advocacy Experience and SEO Expertise to Help Nonprofits
DIY SEO strategies are an excellent option for nonprofit organizations operating on a thin budget. However, if you decide you need help getting started or organizing an especially in-depth campaign, be sure to work with an SEO agency that knows its way around the nonprofit sector, like NisonCo.
For more information about our services and to see if you qualify for pro bono or low bono SEO, contact NisonCo today. We look forward to helping you make a difference!
