The USATODAY.com Web site is adding a lot of changes to make the site more interactive and user-friendly. Their goal, according to their posting , is to create an online community centered around the news, "one that connects readers to reporting."
You will be able to join the stie for free and create a profile page. You will be able to do the usual things of telling things about yourself, upload photos etc. You will also be able to start your own blog on the site along with seeing who else is in the community.
They are distinguishing themselves from a social networking site in that they're keeping everything open and upfront so they can center on the news and information offered on the site.
Not only will this be for users alone, but the editors and reporters of the Web site will also have profiles from which they'll also join the conversation and seek out the thoughts experiences of those that are part of the community in how they relate to stories they're reporting on. There will also be clickthroughs to stories of your favorite reporters if you want to check them out.
For those who want to dig even deeper, there will be forums where you can interact with other readers and set up your own topics of interest. There will also be a "Report Abuse" button so that the site can maintain "civility."
While this is being done in a lot of places, it is a good step for a traditional media company. It will probably do pretty good in that there is a following on the site already and it will encourage those and others to get in on the continuing conversation. I think keeping the focus on news is smart as well, rather than just doing the "anything goes" thing. That should help keep them more legitimate and worthwhile visiting.
Letter written to Editors:
Wow, Nice.
All your readers, Did you even give them a chance to provide input before you go change it.
Why do you think people go to USA today. If you can not answer this question right, then why change the format.
People go to USA today because of the picture news. Get the latest news fast by picture means -- picture flashing for entertainment, (at the top of the screen) to an array of other important picture-info using picture to display the latest news. Why does YouTube success. It is the picture. And why do people spent time on Myspace. Correct, it is the Picture.
USA today mission when the newspaper first launched is NOT "to present the news of the day in a concise, accessible, even entertaining fashion that was, above all, respectful of the reader" (USA Today editors). This newspaper company was invented to show pictures unlike many other newspapers that use text and more text.
"Keep it simple, Stupid"
Why do you thing your newspaper has grown from the date of it birth.
It was a newspaper that readers did not have to open up to continue reading.
All the text about that news event was on that front page.
No flipping
no looking for the rest of the text.
The picture and graphic was what sold, not the text.
How many pictures do you have on your homepage without having to scroll down? You know, " above the 1st fold"
One big fat one. That is all,
And then there's that ignoring advertisement by Cingular. and wow those 4 little pictures on the far left What section of the newspaper am I in when I move my mouse over it. ????? I am lost.
Ken Paulson, Kinsey Wilson, John Hillkirk, and friend are in for a rude awakens. Blog that.
Immediate Corrective Action:
1. Fire your Information Architecture --that is the IA that is suppose to advice you on the information display and layout. If you don't have one, then that is the problem.
2. Give people the option at the beginning to keep the old version or try the new one. Never assume they like the new one. NEVER, NEVER. something like: "Click here to view USA Today in the all new and improve layout"
3. Wait
4. Wait.
5. When 51% of the people switch to the new layout then eliminate the old format
6. "Ask before you take" -- this is what mother teaches their kids each day.
http://usatodaylayout.blogspot.com/
Posted by: SirNitti | March 3, 2007 8:59 PM | Permalink to Comment