Website: http://msn.co.nz/
As Wysocki says, “The visual presentation of a page or screen gives you an immediate sense of its genre.” (Wysocki, 2004. Pg.123). This accurate analogy explains how the manner in which a website’s features are arranged can greatly affect not only its genre but also its target audience. In this website analysis paper I will be discussing the major factors and features which contribute to making a successful website, and whether they match the context in which the genres have been placed into.
One of the first things that catch our attention on this particular website homepage is the day’s headlines, followed by a large static image placed to the right which relates to its neighbouring headlines. These bring the reader’s eyes straight to the centre of the web page, pulling their attention towards the most important area of the website. This also leaves room for the reader to look elsewhere when their eyes move away from the central image, leading the reader’s focus to images and text around the central images which leaves them to explore the page further, rather than looking away and becoming bored of the website as a whole. Website designers often leave a trail of aesthetic visual images from the main section of a website such as sub-headlines or attractive advertisements in sidebars, all in the name of exposure. If a person has to scroll down the page to reveal the full text of these images then it leaves a whole other window of opportunity to reveal more of the website, thus keeping the reader on the site for a little while longer.
Text in a website is crucial. There are not many web pages which contain just static images and videos unless it’s specifically used for an image gallery or slideshow. Every home page contains text whether it is formal or informal. “All page and screen based texts are (therefore) visual elements and arrangements can be analysed.” (Wysocki, 2004. Pg. 124). Text serves the purpose of not only the display of written information; the text displayed and formatted on a web page matches the website’s context as well. The context of the website which I am analysing matches the way in how the text is displayed because it is a news and current event site. A headline conveniently placed in the top left corner of the site can make all the difference in terms of textual and visual flow, which is what msn.co.nz does exactly. In terms of fonts, they have taken a very formal approach towards the websites overall look. This website’s font uses something very simple and easy to read due to its simplicity. This portrays a straight forward and to-the-point attitude which relates to the website’s formal context. If a more informal font were to be used for example, not only would it indicate a low level of professionalism from a company page, it would not blend in with the context of the website itself. However, if curvy and whacky fonts were to be used in a website with a completely different type context such as an entertainment or social website, then this would be deemed appropriate. Another way in which the website’s fonts and headings stand out more is the use of hyperlinks. These ‘links’ highlight key words either in part of one of their news articles or even as one of their headings. Hyperlinked news headlines can link straight to the article included. The hyperlinks not only stand out amongst the sea of words on the screen but also serve as space savers, leaving the home page looking free of clutter and entire news articles.
A specific use of text structure is used throughout this website which highlights the site’s professional context, and has created the advantage of keeping statements short and simple. All of the important information in a news article is stated in brief during the first couple of sentences with the article opening up to more and more details the further you scroll down. The combination of its context and it’s textual structure reflects the type of people or market it has aimed for. Its formality makes it acceptable for the site to be used at the office which is where people are at their busiest. The busier a person is the less time they have to read through an entire article, so only the vital information in the text is stated first.
The website’s use of light colours, simple text structure and visual images all contribute towards not only the look of the website, but also to its specific context. It is therefore critical that a website must go through extensive planning and experimenting before a final product can be distributed through the web. A website’s first impressions are always what bring a reader back to visit again, which is why msn.co.nz has a massive popularity rating and has become a default home page for many computers around the country.
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