Running for office for the first time is both exciting and overwhelming. Between filing paperwork, building a team, raising funds, and connecting with voters, your to-do list seems endless. Your campaign website is one of the most important items on that list—it's your digital headquarters, operating 24/7 to inform voters, collect donations, and recruit volunteers even while you're knocking on doors.
This comprehensive first-time candidate website checklist will guide you through everything you need to create a professional, effective campaign website that wins votes. Whether you're running for school board, city council, or state legislature, these tips will help you launch a site that makes a strong first impression and serves your campaign's goals.
Before You Build: Planning Your Campaign Website
Before diving into website creation, take time to plan your approach. This upfront investment will save you time and headaches later.
Define Your Website Goals
What do you want your website to accomplish? Most campaign websites serve multiple purposes:
- Introduce you to voters: Share your story, qualifications, and vision
- Communicate your platform: Explain your positions on key issues
- Raise funds: Accept online donations
- Recruit volunteers: Sign up supporters to help your campaign
- Build your email list: Collect contact information for ongoing communication
- Promote events: Share information about rallies, meet-and-greets, and debates
- Establish credibility: Show endorsements and media coverage
Prioritize these goals based on your campaign's needs. A well-funded challenger might emphasize volunteer recruitment, while an underdog campaign might focus heavily on small-dollar fundraising.
Know Your Audience
Who are you trying to reach with your website? Consider:
- Primary voters vs. general election voters
- Party members vs. independents
- Age demographics in your district
- Key constituent groups (parents, seniors, business owners, etc.)
- Local media and journalists
- Potential donors inside and outside your district
Understanding your audience helps you tailor your messaging, choose appropriate images, and prioritize content.
Gather Your Materials
Before building, collect these essential elements:
- Professional campaign photos (headshot and action shots)
- Your campaign logo and brand colors
- Biography and background information
- Written policy positions
- Any endorsements you've received
- Social media account information
- Payment processing setup for donations
📌 Key Takeaway
Before building, define your goals (fundraising, volunteers, credibility), know your audience (primary vs. general, key demographics), and gather materials (professional photos, logo, bio, policy positions, endorsements, social accounts).
Essential Pages Every Campaign Website Needs
While every campaign is unique, certain pages are standard across political websites. Here's what you need:
1. Homepage
Your homepage is the front door to your campaign. It should immediately communicate:
- Who you are: Name, photo, and the position you're seeking
- Your core message: A compelling tagline or campaign slogan
- Clear calls to action: Donate, volunteer, learn more
- Navigation to key pages: Easy access to important content
Keep your homepage clean and focused. Visitors should understand within seconds who you are and what you're running for.
2. About/Meet the Candidate Page
Voters want to know the person behind the campaign. Your about page should include:
- Personal story: Where you grew up, your family, what shaped your values
- Professional background: Career history and relevant experience
- Community involvement: Volunteer work, board memberships, civic engagement
- Why you're running: The personal motivation behind your candidacy
- Vision for the office: What you hope to accomplish
Write in first person when possible to create a personal connection. Include multiple photos showing different aspects of your life. For detailed guidance, see our guide on how to write your campaign bio.
3. Issues/Platform Page
Clearly articulate where you stand on the issues that matter to voters in your district:
- Focus on 4-6 key issues relevant to the office you're seeking
- Explain your position in accessible language
- Include specific proposals or solutions, not just talking points
- Connect issues to local concerns when possible
Consider creating separate pages for each major issue if you have detailed policy proposals. This also helps with search engine optimization.
4. Get Involved/Volunteer Page
Make it easy for supporters to join your campaign:
- List specific ways people can help (door knocking, phone banking, yard signs, etc.)
- Include a volunteer sign-up form
- Share upcoming events and opportunities
- Highlight the impact volunteers can make
5. Donate Page
Your donation page should be optimized for conversions:
- Clear explanation of why donations matter
- Suggested donation amounts with impact statements
- Easy, secure payment process
- Required legal disclaimers and compliance information
- Options for recurring donations
Make sure your donation system is mobile-friendly—many donors give from their phones.
6. Events Page
Keep voters informed about campaign activities:
- Upcoming events with dates, times, and locations
- Event descriptions and what to expect
- RSVP functionality when appropriate
- Links to virtual events
7. News/Updates Page
A blog or news section keeps your site fresh and supports SEO:
- Campaign announcements
- Endorsements
- Media mentions and press coverage
- Policy statements on current events
8. Contact Page
Make it easy for voters, media, and others to reach your campaign:
- Contact form
- Campaign email address
- Phone number (if available)
- Campaign headquarters address (if applicable)
- Social media links
9. Endorsements Page
If you have endorsements, showcase them prominently:
- Official endorsements from organizations
- Elected official endorsements
- Community leader endorsements
- Testimonials from supporters
Must-Have Content Elements
Beyond your page structure, certain content elements strengthen every campaign website:
Professional Photography
Invest in quality images. You'll need:
- Official headshot: Professional, approachable, and current
- Action shots: Photos of you interacting with community members
- Family photos: If comfortable sharing, these humanize your campaign
- Community photos: Images of your district and the people you'll serve
Compelling Written Content
Your website copy should be:
- Clear and concise: Avoid jargon and political speak
- Voter-focused: Address what matters to your constituents
- Action-oriented: Every page should guide visitors toward a next step
- Authentic: Write in your voice, not generic political language
Strong Calls to Action
Every page should include clear CTAs:
- Prominent donate buttons
- Email sign-up forms
- Volunteer registration
- Social sharing options
Social Proof
Build credibility through:
- Endorsement logos and quotes
- Supporter testimonials
- Media coverage highlights
- Volunteer and donor counts (if impressive)
Legal Compliance
Ensure your website meets legal requirements:
- "Paid for by" disclaimer on every page
- Proper disclosure on donation pages
- Privacy policy if collecting personal information
- Accessibility considerations
📌 Key Takeaway
Essential pages: Homepage (who + what + CTAs), About (personal story + why running), Issues (4-6 key positions with specifics), Volunteer (sign-up form + opportunities), Donate (impact statements + suggested amounts), Contact, and Events/Endorsements.
Technical Checklist
Your website needs to function properly to serve your campaign:
Mobile Responsiveness
More than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Your site must:
- Display properly on all screen sizes
- Have easily clickable buttons and links
- Load quickly on mobile connections
- Support mobile donation processing
Fast Loading Speed
Slow websites lose visitors and donations. Ensure:
- Images are optimized and compressed
- Hosting is reliable and fast
- No unnecessary plugins or scripts
Security
Protect your campaign and supporters:
- SSL certificate (https://) is essential
- Secure donation processing
- Regular backups of your site
Analytics
Set up tracking from day one:
- Google Analytics for traffic data
- Conversion tracking for donations and sign-ups
- Social media pixel installation
Step-by-Step Launch Guide
Ready to launch? Follow this timeline:
Week 1: Foundation
- Choose your domain name (ideally YourNameForOffice.com)
- Select a website platform (CandidateSites offers templates specifically designed for political campaigns)
- Set up hosting and SSL certificate
- Create your basic page structure
Week 2: Content Development
- Write your about page content
- Develop your issues/platform pages
- Prepare your homepage messaging
- Collect and edit photos
Week 3: Integration and Testing
- Set up donation processing
- Create email sign-up forms
- Install analytics tracking
- Test all forms and functionality
- Check mobile responsiveness
Week 4: Launch and Promotion
- Final review and proofreading
- Soft launch to close supporters for feedback
- Make any necessary adjustments
- Official launch announcement
- Share across all channels
Common First-Time Candidate Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' experiences:
- Waiting too long to launch: Get a basic site up early and improve over time
- Too much text: Keep content scannable and focused
- Buried donation button: Make giving easy and obvious
- No email capture: Start building your list from day one
- Ignoring mobile users: Test your site on phones regularly
- Stale content: Update your site regularly with news and events
- Poor photography: Invest in professional or high-quality photos
Post-Launch Maintenance
Your website isn't a "set it and forget it" project. Plan for ongoing maintenance:
Weekly Tasks
- Update events calendar
- Post campaign news and updates
- Add new endorsements as received
- Check all forms are working
Monthly Tasks
- Review analytics and adjust strategy
- Update photos with recent campaign activities
- Refresh homepage messaging if needed
- Test donation process end-to-end
Choosing the Right Platform
First-time candidates often struggle with the technical aspects of website creation. The right platform makes a significant difference:
- Political-specific platforms: Tools like CandidateSites are designed specifically for campaigns, with built-in donation processing, volunteer sign-ups, and compliance features
- General website builders: Options like Wix or Squarespace require more customization but offer flexibility
- Custom development: More expensive and time-consuming, usually unnecessary for local campaigns
For most first-time candidates, a political-specific platform offers the best balance of features, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
Budget Considerations
Campaign website costs vary widely. Budget for:
- Domain name: $10-20 per year
- Hosting and platform: $20-100 per month depending on features
- Professional photography: $200-500 for a campaign photo session
- Donation processing fees: Typically 2-4% of donations
Don't skimp on your website—it's one of the most cost-effective campaign tools available, working for you around the clock.
📌 Key Takeaway
Technical must-haves: mobile-responsive, fast loading (optimized images), SSL security, analytics installed. Post-launch: daily social integration, weekly content updates, monthly analytics review. Budget $20-100/month plus photography ($200-500).
Your Website Launch Checklist Summary
Before going live, confirm you have:
- Professional domain name secured
- SSL certificate installed (https://)
- Homepage with clear messaging and CTAs
- Complete about/biography page
- Issues page with your key positions
- Working donation page with legal disclaimers
- Volunteer sign-up form
- Email subscription form
- Contact page with multiple options
- Mobile-responsive design tested
- Analytics tracking installed
- "Paid for by" disclaimer on all pages
- Social media links connected
- All forms tested and working
Running for office for the first time is a bold step in service to your community. Your campaign website is your opportunity to share your vision with voters and build the support you need to win. Use this checklist to create a professional, effective site that helps you compete—and start making a difference.
Ready to build your campaign website? CandidateSites offers templates and tools designed specifically for first-time candidates, making it easy to launch a professional site in hours, not weeks. Get started today and focus on what matters most: connecting with voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I launch my campaign website?
Launch your campaign website as early as possible—ideally when you announce your candidacy or file to run. A basic site up early is better than a perfect site launched late. You can improve and add content over time, but you need a web presence from day one for credibility and to start building your email list.
What pages does a campaign website need?
Essential pages include: Homepage (who you are, what you're running for, clear CTAs), About/Meet the Candidate (your story and qualifications), Issues/Platform (4-6 key positions), Donate (with legal disclaimers), Volunteer/Get Involved, Events, Contact, and optionally Endorsements and News/Blog pages.
How much does a campaign website cost?
Budget $10-20/year for a domain name, $20-100/month for hosting and platform (political-specific platforms like CandidateSites are often more cost-effective than custom solutions), $200-500 for professional photography, and 2-4% of donations for payment processing fees. Total first-year cost typically ranges from $500-2,000 depending on features.
What domain name should I use for my campaign?
Use a format like YourNameForOffice.com (e.g., JohnSmithForCityCouncil.com). Keep it simple, easy to remember, and easy to spell. Avoid hyphens and numbers. If your preferred .com is taken, consider .org or add your district/city name. Secure multiple variations to prevent opponents from using them.
Do I need professional photos for my campaign website?
Yes, professional photography is worth the investment ($200-500). You need at minimum a professional headshot and several action shots showing you with community members. Poor quality photos signal an unprofessional campaign. If budget is tight, ask a skilled volunteer or local photographer who might donate services to a cause they support.