Should You Use a Slider on Your Nonprofit Website? (Probably Not, and Here’s Why)

“We really want to have a slider at the top of the home page…”

We often hear this request when working on nonprofit websites. It usually comes from a desire to communicate a wide range of priorities. But the truth is, sliders almost never achieve that goal, and in many cases, they do the opposite.

There are plenty of reasons we hear this request:

• “We want to make the site dynamic.”
• “We want to give as much information to the user as possible.”
• “We have so much going on—every team needs to promote their programs and events.”
• “The Board of Directors said we need one.”
• “Our founder’s cousin’s nephew’s dog-sitter is a web developer and said it’s best practice.”

These are all legitimate concerns to address when building a website (except maybe the dog-sitter’s opinion).

But these motivations rarely, if ever, mean that a homepage slider is a good idea. There are far more effective ways to solve these challenges.

From working with mission-driven teams across the country, we’ve learned that sliders almost never work the way people think they will.

In fact, they often do more harm than good. They weaken your message, slow down your site, distract from what matters most, and almost no one sees all the slides anyway.

The Promise (and the Problem) of Sliders

Homepage sliders, also called carousels, seem like a smart solution. You don’t have to choose just one message; you can show them all. The site feels more “modern” and dynamic because there’s movement. You’re filling that prime real estate at the top of your homepage with important content.

How can that be wrong?

The issue is: most users scroll right past. And those who don’t? They rarely wait for the second slide.

“In an effort to say everything, we end up saying nothing.”

Sliders often create more friction than clarity. For nonprofit websites, that friction doesn’t just confuse; it can actually hinder your mission and those looking to learn more about it.

The Data: Why Sliders Usually Fall Short

We’re not just talking about preferences; we’re talking about performance. Here’s what the research shows:

• Less than 1% of users click on slider content. And almost all clicks happen on the first slide only.
• Sliders slow down your site, especially on mobile. Large images and scripts affect load time, and that weakens SEO and user experience.
• People ignore them. This is called banner blindness. Sliders look like ads. Users scroll right past.
• They confuse your messaging. Rotating through five different messages forces the visitor to try to figure out what matters most—when that’s your job.
• They’re often not accessible. Sliders can be difficult for screen readers and assistive technologies to interpret.

Add auto-rotation into the mix, and things get worse: the user loses control, has less time to absorb your message, and is more likely to close the browser tab and move on and start shopping for new shoes.

So What’s the Real Problem?

At Liminal, we talk often about this core idea:

Own the complexity. Pass on clarity.

Your organization does deeply complex, meaningful work. You don’t have just one story to tell; you have many. And yes, it’s tempting to try to share them all at once.

But your homepage isn’t the place to try to say everything. It’s the place to say the most important thing first.

Sliders try to juggle multiple messages at once. But your audience? They’re asking for just one clear signal:

“What is this organization focused on, and what do they want me to do?”

When you try to give people everything, you risk overwhelming them. Offering one message, clearly presented, builds trust and inspires action.

What to Do Instead

There are more effective ways to communicate what matters most. Here are some alternatives that we use with nonprofits of all sizes:

1. Static Hero Section

• One bold image or video
• A clear headline that speaks to your mission
• A single, focused call to action (Donate, Join Us, Learn More)

2. Impact Snapshot Section

• Highlight a few compelling stats right up front
• Example: “92% of students improved reading scores. 85% more likely to graduate. One mission: unlock opportunity.”

3. Featured Content Blocks

• Use a clean grid of 3–4 “cards” below the hero section
• Each links to key pages: Programs, Events, Get Involved

4. Split Hero Layout

• Side-by-side image + message
• Visually dynamic without the distraction of motion

5. Scroll-telling

• Use scroll-based storytelling to walk people through your impact
• Great for capital campaigns, annual reports, or featured stories

Each of these options gives your content breathing room, makes navigation easier, and keeps the user focused on what matters most.

But What If You Have to Use a Slider?

Sometimes, a slider seems like the only way to keep everyone happy. If you absolutely have to use one, we’ve got one main rule and a few important supporting ones.

The Main Rule: Use your slider in a lower section of the homepage.

This allows you to keep your core message and call to action front and center, where they belong, while giving your team the flexibility of a slider elsewhere.

Supporting Guidelines:

• Don’t auto-rotate. Let the user control it. Movement for the sake of movement usually works against you.
• Limit to 2–3 slides max. People simply don’t stick around to see more than that.
• Keep formatting consistent. Your slides should follow your brand guidelines (you have brand guidelines, right?)
• Make sure it’s mobile-friendly and accessible. Even if your slider tool claims to handle this automatically, don’t trust it. Always double-check the experience on both mobile and tablet.

We’re not against sliders in principle. We’re against confusing messaging that weakens your impact.

That’s why, if you’re going to use one, placing it lower on the homepage is a solid compromise. Doing this gives you room to share more without crowding out the message that matters most.

The Bottom Line

Your homepage is one of the first impressions people get when they encounter your organization. You only have a few seconds to communicate what you’re about and why someone should care.

That’s your moment to deliver a clear, compelling message that captures interest and invites action.

If your homepage slider throws “everything but the kitchen sink” of announcements, events, updates, and self-congratulatory noise at them… you’ll lose them.

A single message, delivered clearly and confidently, will always outperform a rotating set of distractions.

So instead of trying to say everything at once, start with one thing.

And make sure it’s the most important thing.

Not sure what that is?

We’d Love to Help