Evaluating Public Charity Websites: Stage Model versus Automated Service

In this study, we explore nonprofit website development by applying two different types of website assessment tools to US charity websites. One instrument is theoretically based in nonprofit tendencies; the other is a commercial automated service. The results of these evaluation tools are further analyzed to determine whether the instruments are sufficiently independent for evaluation of nonprofit websites. The results illuminate differences in the assessment tools, finding them to be complementary. Each method offers different insights into website development deficiencies and avenues for improvement.