When it comes to our Presidential candidates, there are usually more differences than similarities. Their Web sites, however, surprisingly break the traditions and have much in common with each other.
Both Web sites originally load videos the first time you go there, and it takes a repeat visit or a mouse click to get to the main content page. Perhaps this is proof of high-bandwidth target audiences and an effort to appear “connected?”
Both sites also use a blue color theme, and have very similar navigation structures and features. For instance, they both have a banner across the top that has pictures of the candidate and the VP candidate, along with an inspirational quote.
The main navigational feature of each site is a navigation bar that features popular links such as media, issues, about, etc. In addition to this primary nav bar, both sites have a second, larger navigation bar to attract more attention. These larger nav bars are the ones that contain the links for volunteering and getting involved. In addition to nav bars, however, both sites prominently display large “tiles” with links for getting involved in helping your favorite candidate’s cause.
Both Web sites have a link to their blog, and Obama’s Web site prominently features a link to “fight the smears,” in which he attempts to discredit political attacks against his character or past by providing facts and the truth.
Obama’s Web site has a much longer home page than McCain’s, and devotes space at the bottom to an Obama Store with campaign merchandise, whereas McCain’s Web site devotes that space to pictures of the week.
BarackObama.com seems to get far more traffic, based on Hitwise - more than 75% of traffic goes to his Web site as opposed to JohnMcCain.com.
Both Web sites offer a Spanish version of the site, and devote considerable real estate towards asking for volunteers and offering ways to get involved.
Overall, the Web sites are very similar, and aside from the different content, the style, layout, and navigation elements could easily be clones distributed by the same Web design firm. Only the candidates and their stances on the issues differentiate them, as it should be.
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Tags: McCain • navigation • Obama • traffic • Web sites
Copyright © 2008 by IdeaStar. All rights reserved.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:40 am
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