If you’re still putting out annual reports the old fashioned way—pulling stacks of statistics, rounding up designers, blowing your budget on print copies, etc.—this post might be an eye-opener for you. Not only are annual report websites generally less expensive, they’re also easy to fill with impactful media, easy to deliver, and easy to track. Plus, they’re much more conscientious of the planet.
Letting your web team produce a professional site for this year’s accomplishments could be a great step into the future for your non-profit—but don’t take our word for it. Check out these reports from businesses and organizations who’ve already adopted the process to impressive results:
GRID Alternatives
gridalternatives.org/annual-report-15
GRID Alternatives’ adopted an online annual report format a few years ago and now simply updates the stats, graphics and stories each year with new information…saving time and money. Their annual report is styled in a familiar, almost print-like layout.
Echoing Green
echoinggreen.org/2014
Echoing Green’s 2014 report used floating side navigation to make it easy for visitors to jump to the information they were most interested in.
Shopify
shopify.com/2013
Shopify’s 2013 report summarized their news with an interactive timeline.
Google Ventures
gv.com/2014/#portfolio-impact
GV (Google Ventures) incorporated videos in the impact section of their 2014 report.
Charity Water
charitywater.org/annual-report/14/#team
Charity Water reinforced the human element (their team) in their 2014 color block and photo layout.
MailChimp
mailchimp.com/2015/#visit-from-a-mariachi-band
MailChimp’s 2015 report linked stories to social posts, i.e. When referring to a mariachi band that played the Star Wars theme in their office, they linked to a video on Instagram.
MailChimp Again…
mailchimp.com/2012/
MailChimp’s 2012 report featured an interactive element that allowed visitors to browse user statistics by demographic.
Lemon.ly
lemonly.com/2016report
Lemonly encouraged visitors to interact with their 2016 report, using a circular beam of “light” to reveal facts.
Flama
2016.flama.is/
Flama laid out their 2016 report as a click-through slideshow.
One.org
one.org/annualreport/
One’s bold use of color and typography combined with compelling photography and language really makes their annual report shine.
Our Takeaway…
Styles may vary, but all successful annual report websites have two things in common: professional presentation and convenience. Sounds like a win, win!
Need help with your next Annual Report? Drop us a line!