Community Tip - Strengthening Your Online Presence – Self Assessment Tool

Communications Officer • May 10, 2023

In a new blog series we are calling Community Tips, CNA will be discussing tricks, tools and resources that can support and help out our member organisations and their kaimahi. 

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is increasingly important for community organisations to be able to reach their audience, communicate their message and raise awareness and support. However, building an online presence can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the digital landscape. Just when you think you’ve got your head around things, a new gadget, software update or social media platform comes along to humble you. 


In this blog post, we’ll take a look at a useful tool developed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment in collaboration with Digital Journey, that aims to help organisations strengthen their online presence. Whether you're looking to improve your website, social media presence, or digital marketing strategy, the resource shared below is a great place to start. 


The toolkit includes three quick assessment tools to help you check how well you are using online platforms and what you can do to level up. 

These three self-assessments are: 

  • Your website 
  • Your digital marketing/engagement 
  • Digital tools and how people use them (working together, accounting and HR, backup and recovery)   


Your Website: 

As a community organisation, your website serves as the digital face of your organisation and is a vital tool for communicating your message, sharing your mission, and engaging with your target audience. A well-designed website can provide visitors with valuable information about your organization, its initiatives, and its impact. It can also serve as a central hub for sharing news and events, recruiting volunteers, and accepting donations. The website self-assessment tool takes 5-10 minutes and will give you a better idea of your website's strengths and weaknesses, as well as practical tips and links to expert advice to improve it. 


Start the website assessment here. 


Your Digital Marketing/Engagement 

The second assessment looks at your digital marketing and engagement. This tool is designed to help you identify areas of strength and weakness in your current digital marketing strategy and provide recommendations for improvement. By answering a series of questions about your organization's website, social media presence, and overall digital marketing approach, you can gain valuable insights into how to better engage with your audience and achieve your goals. 


Start the digital marketing assessment here. 


Your Digital Tools: 

The third and final assessment tool is designed to help you identify the digital channels and tools that your target audience is most likely to use and how to effectively engage with them. The assessment, like the other two above takes just 5-10 minutes and will assess how well you’re using online tools for accessing business info, working together, accounting and HR, and backup and recovery. 


Take the three assessments here - https://www.business.govt.nz/getting-started/building-a-brand/strengthening-your-online-presence/ 


A Note on Digital Exclusion: 

It's important to note that not everyone in your community has equal access to digital technologies, which can result in digital exclusion. This means that some members of your community may not be able to access your website, social media platforms, or other online resources, limiting their ability to engage with your organisation. To address digital exclusion, be sure that your organisation's services and resources are accessible to everyone, regardless of their digital literacy or access to technology. You can do this by providing alternative ways for individuals to engage, such as phone or mail-based communication, in-person events and workshops, and printed materials. By taking steps to address digital exclusion, you can ensure that your organisation is accessible to everyone in your community and that no one is left behind. 

Share

By Community Networks May 18, 2026
CNA Chair Holly Snape reflects on 1 Sector, 6 Parties, the first 2026 election-focused political panel created specifically for Aotearoa’s community and voluntary sector, highlighting key discussions, sector representation, and why community voices must be part of the election conversation.
By Community Networks May 6, 2026
Kia ora koutou, Gather your team, pour a drink, and get ready for something a little different. This isn’t your average political panel. It’s a chance for Aotearoa’s community sector to tune in together, listen to the proposed direction, share ideas, and maybe even get a bit fired up about the future. Hosted by Community Networks Aotearoa, ‘1 Sector, 6 Parties Respond’ this live-streamed event brings politicians from across the spectrum into one (virtual) room to talk candidly about the realities facing charities, iwi organisations, and Not-for-Profits. With the next election on the horizon, what they say, and how they say it, matters. And the best part? You don’t have to watch it alone. Turn it into a mini event of your own. Set up a screen in the office, book out the community hall, or invite a few colleagues over. With drinks, nibbles, and ‘hellos’ kicking off from 4:30pm and the panel starting at 5:00pm, it’s perfectly timed to roll straight from work into something social and energising. Guided by political reporter Jehan Casinader, expect a lively, honest kōrero that goes beyond the usual talking points. He’s got the gumption, you bring the cynicism. As a CNA member it’s a great way to bring your organisation together to reconnect, network, and kōhumuhumu. It’s also a great way to remind your people why you’re our member and what they get from your membership with us. We’re always looking for great ways to help you provide excellent and meaningful support. Watching together adds a whole new layer. You’ll catch things you might miss on your own, spark conversations in the moment, and build a shared understanding of what’s ahead. It’s part watch party, part strategy session, with a side of healthy debate. Want to make it count? Try this: Make it a watch party: Bring shared kai (remember those dietary peeps too!), and a relaxed but curious vibe—think less lecture, more shared experience. Get ready to kōrero: Bring a pen and paper and make moments to react, question, or celebrate what you’re hearing. Capture the “aha” moments: Jot down ideas or quotes that hit home for your team; and what you might be able to put in your newsletter. Turn talk into action: After the stream, ask “So what do we do with this?” and pick one or two next steps. This is your chance to connect, reflect, and maybe even challenge what you think you know. So don’t just tune in, show up, together, and be part of the conversation shaping the road ahead. The election is closer than you think! Ngā mihi, Patrick Davies, Engagement Officer
By Community Networks March 31, 2026
Burning for a Cause: A Totally Scientific Analysis of the NZ Not-for-Profit Sector’s Relationship with Increasingly Stupid Levels of Spice
More Articles