What Makes for a Great News Website?

Posted on the 31 March 2014 by Themarioblog @garciainteract

TAKEAWAY: Here are five determinants of what constitutes a great news website.

It was the subject of Lecture #9 for my Columbia University students. I am teaching a course titled Multiplatform Design and Storytelling. The media quartet is an important component of the class, as you can imagine. So, this week, while discussing responsive design, I decided to start the lecture with what I think are five determinants of a good news website.

Thought you might wish to hear them too.

Here we go:

1. Must be uncluttered. Less is best.

http://www.bostonglobe.com


http://www.faz.net



http://www.scmp.com/frontpage/international

2. It offers a clear navigation

http://www.theguardian.com



http://www.ilsole24ore.com


3. It surprises visually.

http://www.handelsblatt.com



http://nautil.us

4. It reflects immediately the look & feel of the publication it represents.

http://www.bild.de


http://www.nytimes.com

5. It uses texture, contrast and color to help the eye move thru the elements.

www.newsweek.com



www.usatoday.com

TheMarioBlog post #1452