Researching websites

The Haverhill Echo

The red theme is re-used on the website of the Haverhill Echo, and the logo is the same as the one used on the actual newspaper. A grey and silver colour is used on the task bar and is faded to make it appear rounded. The date is also shown at the top which is useful for the readers. 

The Haverhill Echo's website appears a lot less complex than the Halstead Gazette's, featuring only 4 tabs on the task bar: news, sport, lifestyle and community, however when you click on these a drop down menu appears, providing you with further options.

This drop down menu helps to organise different sections of information into categories, and by placing all the links into a drop down menu, it helps to keep the home page neat and less crowded with information. 

The home page features different local news stories with a few small pictures along side. The headings are in bold capitals and have a small summary underneath informing the reader as to what the story is about, making them want to read it. The stories on the website appear to be regarding the local schools and successful events regarding this. This implies that the target audience of the website may be people with school children, as they are likely to take an interest in the local community and the school that their child attends. 

There is also a sport section on the home page, which has results of local sports matches. This would appeal to a majority of ages. 

This website features a search box for readers to specify if they are looking for something in particular. This is extremely helpful and I would definitely consider using this on my website. Underneath this there are some more links to other pages on the website such as jobs, property and motors. These are common re occurrences in local newspapers as I have discovered. These are written in a blue font so that they stand out more. 

The advert is positioned at the top, similar to the Halstead Gazette. It is for BT television, alongside a property advert. The latter would perhaps be targeted at a younger audience who are looking to buy local property. The BT advert could arguably appeal to anyone as technology dominates most peoples lives now.