Then why do so many non-profiteers forget these same requirements when it comes to their own websites? If sites like Amazon or Dell or eBay were run the way many nonprofit websites are, they’d be out of business as soon as you can say "customer loyalty."

This Halloween I might dress as the economy. I can't think of any scarier. You're right to be scared too, especially if you're a nonprofit and beholden to funders, because you've got to make the case why you need a good website.

Hold on. Reality check: you aren't thinking of cutting funding for your own website, are you? That would be a grave mistake. Websites are not only the public face of your organization, but the best tool you have to information and create a community on a budget.