Frequently Asked Questions

What is What Matters Now?

Free personal websites for people facing serious illness. Creating a personal website with What Matters Now helps you connect with loved ones, let friends know how they can help, and reflect on the important moments and questions in life.

Is What Matters Now really free to use?

Yes, it is completely free. It is provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving families facing serious illness. There is no charge to use a What Matters Now website, and there will never be any advertising. The websites are intended to be a beautiful place for you to come together with your family and friends to support one another and to reflect on what matters most.

How can I make a donation to What Matters Now?

You can make a secure online donation via PayPal or mail a check. Your donations help us provide these free websites to more people. Donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.
The Samvara Project - What Matters Now
20660 Stevens Creek Blvd #320
Cupertino, CA 95014

How can I get help if I have a problem setting up or using my website?

Email us with a detailed description of your problem at support@whatmattersnow.org and we will respond as quickly as possible. Your questions are welcome; they help us know how to improve the website.

Will my personal information be secure on What Matters Now?

Yes, we are committed to protecting your privacy. We promise not to sell your information to anyone for any reason and will never send you spam. For more detailed information you can read our privacy policy.

How do I start a What Matters Now website?

Starting a What Matters Now website is remarkably easy, and only takes a few minutes. Simply fill out this form and then your website will be created for you automatically.

Who can make a website?

Anyone! It is surprisingly easy to set up, and doesn't require any special technical skills. You can make a website for yourself or for a family member, friend or colleague.

What is a website organizer?

The person who makes the website automatically becomes the website organizer. Organizers can write Update messages, add responses to the Reflections questions, fill in the Lend a Hand page, delete unsuitable content, and invite other guests and organizers.

Is the information on my website private?

There are two privacy options: private and open. Private websites can only be viewed by invited guests. Open websites can be viewed by anyone who knows the exact unique website address.

If I choose to make my website open, can people find it by doing a Google search?

What Matters Now will not put your website into Google. However, if you choose to make your website Open and if you or your friends post links to your website elsewhere on the web, then your site will be indexed by Google and other search engines.

How do I invite guests to an open website?

You can tell people about the website by emailing a link, posting a link on your favorite social network, sending them an invitation on the 'Invite Guests' page, or by just telling them the website address. Your friends and family will be able to pass along the website address to allow others to visit the website.

How do I invite guests to a private website?

Only website organizers can invite guests. If you are an organizer you'll see 'Invite Guests' in the navigation bar on the website. On that page you can enter the email addresses of guests you'd like to invite. Each guest will automatically be emailed an invitation.

How do I remove someone from the guest list on a private website?

At the bottom of the 'Invite Guests' page there is a section titled 'Manage Guest List' where you'll see a list of all invited guests. If you'd like to remove someone, change their 'Level of Website Access' to none.

How do I add more organizers to my website?

First add the person's email address to the guest list. Then in the 'Manage Guest List' section, change their 'Level of Website Access' to 'Organizer'.

How many organizers should I have?

We recommend having at least two.

How do I add key information to the home page of my website?

Near the top of the home page there is a link (which only website organizers see) which says 'Edit this welcome message'. Click this link to change the message that appears at the top of the home page.

How do I send out an email to everyone who uses my website?

Update messages will be emailed automatically to everyone on the Guest List for your website. On open sites, visitors to your website can elect to add themselves to the list of people receiving these email updates.

How do I change the profile photo?

Go to the 'Photos' page, click 'Add a New Photo,' choose a photo, and check the 'Use this as the profile photo' checkbox.

What kind of photos should I use for the profile photo?

Use a high resolution photo that captures the personality of the person the website is for. The profile photo will be cropped into a square, so a photo with the important parts in the center will work best. You can always change the photo later if you find a better one.

I have lots of printed photos that I want to use. How do I get them into the computer?

Most local drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, etc.) offer scanning services. Just bring in a stack of prints and they will put them on a CD or DVD for you.

How do I change the name that the website displays?

Click on 'settings' in the upper right corner of your website, then click 'Basic Info'. Update the 'Display Name' field and save.

Can I make the website an online memorial for my loved one?

Yes, you can turn your website into an online memorial. Click on 'settings' in the upper right corner of your website, then click 'Online Memorial'. On that page you can switch the website to be an online memorial, and optionally provide additional relevant information (such as the memorial service and obituary) which will then be displayed on the home page of your website.

Are there any limits to how many guests I can invite?

No. Please invite as many guests as you would like.

Are there any limits to the number of photos or messages?

No. You can have as many photos and messages as you like.

Why do I need to sign in/sign up in order to visit my friend's website?

Your friend has chosen to keep their website private, so you'll need to make a username and password in order to visit their website. The website asks for your email address so you can receive update emails from your friend. We promise to respect the privacy of your email address. You can opt out of getting update emails by clicking the unsubscribe link on the bottom of any update you receive through What Matters Now.

I'm having trouble accessing my loved one's website, what should I do?

If your loved one's website is private, your email address must be on the Guest List in order to be able to sign in to view the website. Please be sure to sign in with the same email address that your invitation was sent to. Also, check the spelling of the website address to make sure you're visiting the correct website for your loved one. If you think your email may not be on the Guest List, you'll need to contact the organizer of the website (either your loved one or their friend or family member putting the website together on their behalf) to request to be added to it. If you still cannot access the website, please contact us for help at support@whatmattersnow.org and we will respond as quickly as possible.

I am not receiving email updates for my friend's website, what should I do?

You can provide your email in the box directly under your friend's profile photo on any page of their website. You can also click on the 'my account' link in the upper right corner (visible after signing in) and update the 'Your Subscriptions' section.

I don't want to receive email updates, what should I do?

Click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any of the email updates you get from your loved one.

How can I get more help?

Email your questions or comments to support@whatmattersnow.org and we will respond as quickly as possible. Your questions are welcome; they help us know how to improve the website.