1. Start a Club Website
  2. How do I know if a website is right for my club?
  3. What tools does a School-provided website offer?
  4. New Website Launch Checklist
  5. Will the website receive alumni data from Wharton?
  6. How long will it take to launch a website?
  7. How much time and resources are required to maintain a website?
  8. How do I get started?
  9. Our club has limited resources to maintain a website, but we would still like to have an online presence. Are there any other options for us?

New Website Launch Checklist

First steps

  1. Contact Wharton.
    Contact your Wharton staff liaison to begin the website launch process. If you are unsure of your liaison, please contact us at [email protected].

  2. Schedule an introductory call.
    Speak with the Associate Director of Global Clubs and Digital Engagement. Please prepare to discuss your club’s website needs and capacity to maintain and update it. You will be provided with next steps on this call. 

  3. Sign our Participation Agreement and Privacy Policy 
    Our team will provide your club with an official copy of our participation agreement to sign. For a sample, read-only copy to review, click here. The privacy policy is available to virtually sign, here.

Design your website

  1. Decide on website structure:
    All Wharton club websites share a common theme and layout. However, options are available to help customize your website based on your club’s needs. Click to see examples from the Wharton Club of Boston and Wharton Club of the UK.

  2. Review the website resources.
    While our team is creating your website, take a look at training videos and helpful materials for Wharton alumni club leaders. For written instructions, click here. For video tutorials, click here


  3. Start gathering content and images.
    Now is the time to make your website your own! Draft text content for your pages, and choose images where applicable. Our team will help with the initial upload, and train you on how to do it. We can provide image guidelines and suggest online editing resources. Browse other club websites to get content ideas.

Connect payment processing

  1. Obtain a merchant account (if you are not in the US of Canada).
    A merchant account is an account with a financial institution that allows your club to accept payments as an organization. If your club currently has a merchant account, it must be internet capable and able to interact with one of these online payment processors. Your organization’s merchant account and checking account do not need to be from the same financial institution. Most merchant banks expect a personal guarantor to co-sign the account. Be sure to notify your merchant account provider that your club is a non-profit. You will need to provide documentation to the bank that houses your merchant account.

  2. Choose and set up an account with a payment processor.
    This account (also referred to as a gateway account) allows you to securely accept payments online through your merchant account. For a list of payment processors our website platform currently supports, click here. If you are in the US or Canada, please use NationBuilder Payments. It will allow you to take advantage of the updated payment features.

  3. Contact Wharton.
    Once you’ve created an account, let our team know. We can provide additional instructions to connect your new account to your website and test your payment setup.

Launch your website

  1. Finalize content.
    Perform a final review of your website text, and make any last-minute updates.

  2. Notify Wharton to launch.
    Let us know when you are ready to go live! We will update your settings and add your website to our Clubs Directory page.

  3. Send a welcome email to your members.
    Use the email tool to announce your fabulous new website to your club members. To view an example email template, click here. Celebrate and enjoy your brand new online presence!