Only 2% of charity websites achieve a ‘grade A’ in our BIMA audit

For many charities, the pandemic has turned the issue of income from a constant challenge to an existential threat. As the UK establishes a new normal, the survival of many charities will rely heavily on their ability to leverage technology and their online capabilities. So how well is the sector equipped to manage?

We are delighted to have completed the first ever in-depth audit into UK charity websites in which we have assessed how well 411 small and medium sized charities achieve digital best practice.  We assessed websites based on usability, platform choice and technology performance across mobile and desktop devices, and then looked at the quality of user journeys for information seekers, supporters and beneficiaries. The worrying results show a sector already in crisis is poorly placed to use digital as a way of bouncing back.

• Fewer than 2% of audited charities achieved an ‘excellent’ rating

• 41% received a ‘fail’ or lower

• 11% of charities had no website at all

• Almost 1 in 10 didn’t have a mobile responsive version of their website

It’s been a huge project to complete, with a rigorous and transparent methodology we have published with the report.

If you work in or are a partner to charities, this report will give you real insight into what best practice looks like and what is and is not working online for charities.  It includes audit results, methodology, case studies and recommendations.