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Bellstrike is an application that helps charities and non-profit organizations build functional websites. The sites are intended to help users share information about the organization and fundraisers and accept donations online. The use doesn’t need to have any website design or programming experience to create an attractive, functional site using Bellstrike. Facebook and Twitter features are built in along with email options to make information sharing easier. The charity can brand their website using their logo and add content, videos, files, photos and anything else they want to share with visitors. Donations can be accepted and the donor receives a receipt automatically while the user receives the donor’s email address to follow up with a thank you message. Blogs are also built in along with a number of layout and customization options.

For the most part, Bellstrike has received a positive response from those who use it. The application was founded in August of 2011 by Dodd Caldwell. The main draw is the way the application helps users create visually appealing, functional non-profit websites in a matter of minutes without any design or programming experience. The user can add various elements so the site looks good and can perform a function, such as accepting donations or spreading awareness.

Bellstrike caters to non-profit organizations. The application is equipped with the tools a non-profit group would need to create a practical website for their organization or cause. There are many places that offer convenient website building tools, but most are intended for a wider audience. Bellstrike gives the user everything they need to share information, promote fundraisers online, connect to social networks and accept donations from website visitors.

Bellstrike invites the user with a friendly, colorful design that looks professionally created. The stylish images and icons are accompanied by playful text that gives the site a very upbeat, welcoming feel. The site’s personality makes the experience far more appealing, along with the simple user interface that lets the user provide the information while the application handles the actual website building process. The look of the completed website will vary, however most have a nice clean and practical feel to them.

A new user can get started by clicking the red “Sign Up for Free” button near the bottom, center of the Bellstrike homepage. The stylish registration form appears on the next page and asks for a first and last name, email address, password, non-profit organization’s name, desired Bellstrike URL and terms of service agreement. After submitting the form, the user is invited to sign up with WePay (the third party company that will handle donations accepted through the user’s Bellstrike website).

Creating and maintaining a Bellstrike account is completely free. The user doesn’t have to pay anything and can design a website at no cost. The site gives all users access to the same features and no purchases are required. That being said, the site does take a portion of donations when they are received. Bellstrike charges a fee of 6%, not to exceed $80 in a calendar month. The third party service, WePay, charges an additional fee of 3.5%. WePay fees are still deducted after the user has reached their Bellstrike fee cap for the month. This seems a bit high for non-profit organizations however the up side is that the group doesn’t have to pay anything to keep the website. Fees are assessed only when donations are made.

Bellstrike is ideal for anyone who works with a non-profit organization in need of a website. The application can help the group create a functional website to share information and accept donations. Smaller groups with lower donation amounts may consider trying to keep online donations to a minimum because of the fees they will have to pay to Bellstrike and WePay. Other than that, the application is easy to use and allows for plenty of visual customization.

• Creating an account and building a website is free
• Video, photos and text content can be added to a website
• Built in blogs let users share updates on their group or organization
• Donations can be accepted online using WePay
• Facebook and Twitter features are included

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