AN ANALYSIS OF THE PUNCH WEBSITE

website analysis

The punch building at Lagos Ibadan expressway. Photo:Benedicta Bassey

By Benedicta Bassey, Lagos

The punch is a media organization in Nigeria. However, it is termed as the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria because of its versatile readership. Its website address is www.punchontheweb.com and email address as punchng@gmail.com.

More so, the punch had being of quality benefit to online user because it serve as an information function to disseminate recent news and update about happenings in the society.

In line with the core functions of the press to inform, educate and entertain, the punch had maintain its standard to discharge its duties thereby serving as a watchdog in the society.

The punch website had help surfers in updating them of happenings in the country and given room for them to feedback information which made the process of communication complete i.e. source packaging the message to receiver through a channel or platform and then feedback.

THE FEATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEBSITE

·        Home

·        Search

·        Aesthetic

·        Links

·        Contact/Email

·        Counts

·        Advert placement

·        Opinion poll

·        Flash back

HOME

The home page of the punch website contain series of information such as the columnist, news, politic, business, sport, opinion, editorial and entertainment.

However, most of the features on the home page have underlining information which helps surfers get information fast. For Columnist, there is medal, News further divided into international, African or World news, Business, broken into capital, international business and aviation and travel, Sport, divided into sports buzz and the pundit, Entertainment into sex and sexuality, Feature into life and Times, encounter, crime digest and sight- seeing.

Subsequently, the website have provided space called SEARCH, which enable surfers or users to check other information on the website if not found in the home page. One can insert the tittle of word or keyword that relate to their search.

However, the AESTHETICS of the page includes white and red with a letter touch of yellow. The site design portrays the newspaper format ready for sale. White and Red is the fundamental aesthetic of the website of punch.

More so the LINKS which is an open source text and graphic web browser renders complex pages, support colour and monochrome terminals and allows horizontal scrolling allow users to find other places that are related to a particular story. The Links also gives the privilege of reading a story in full form. When clicked on a story headline, it changes immediately to an underlined and red colour text to link the surfers.

Furthermore, the website also has CONTACT AND EMAIL to login to their address if gotten any information to pass across such as opinion or letters to the editor.

Notwithstanding, the website have comments for every news story posted. The quality of the story determines the COUNTS gotten hence the newspaper is friendly as it had over 94,242 people who consent liking the page.

ADVERT PLACEMENT is another feature seen in Punch website. The site has series of advert placement such as banks, those in searches for job, etisalat line to mention but a few.

In a bid to get the opinion of its users, a column its set aside in the page called the OPINION POLL where a question is asked and people are requested to either say a yes or no to it. This is another way the site strategized to get immediate feedback or reaction of Nigerian to some pertinent issues.

In addition, the site has a flashback of previous updated stories for readers to read in the website because there is recent updating of the site hence, the need for flashback story is important.

Generally, the site has elaborate information on its page including videos, picture and cartoons to buttress their point. The captions of every picture are properly explained reflecting what the picture is talking about.

The stories are written in the inverted pyramid style with the most important fact coming first and the least coming last. Their headline cast is also a summary of what the story is all about and it relate with the story with a good type face and size.

THE FOLLOWING BELOW GIVES AN ELABORATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITE

WEBSTRENGTH: the site has breaking news, update, links, archives, interactivity and multimedia.

REPORTING: accurate report with source attributed, balance and fair, clear, concise and complete.

STRUCTURE: stories are linear, with a beginning, middle and end. Stories presented in parts that can be experience in any order.

DEPTH: unlimited space but limited attention span of many users.

TEXT: independent screens connected by links (clickable words); each page stand alone; unlimited background information via links to searchable database, timeline, related stories sidebar etc.

WRITING STYLE: the style includes more formal language, use of active voice, strong verbs, no jargons and editorialisation with strong simple sentence.

MULTIMEDIA: photos, videos, slide shows and animation.

INTERRACTIVITY: more active searchable database available, social website, feedback, opinion poll.

TIMELINE: constantly updating recent stories.

HOW THE WEBSITE CAN BE IMPROVED UPON

Most surfers scan to find what they want, they often print the text for easier reading. Studies show that people read 25percent slower on the computer screen than on the paper.

Hence, scan ability of web text is necessary to catch surfers. You can catch surfers before they zip off to another site. The following should be done to improve the website:

Highlight important words to make them pop out like a bright colour, bold type, capital letters and using a different typeface.

Breakup long stories with informative subheads to keep readers attracted to the story or boost their interest in the story.

Bullets or numbering should be used to highlight important point or to list items. A summary of the main items of story in the website should be accompanied with a bulleted list at the beginning and then the bulleted item to a subhead in the story.

Redundant sentences should be deleted.

More so, for the site to be improved there should be break up along scrolling page with subheads, photos, quotes and sidebar.

Too many links should not be provided because it can confuse readers and make page look cluttered.

Furthermore, multimedia such as maps and charts should be used in complimenting stories such as those found in the economic column.

Also, despite the fact that the website is used to educate, it must include some relaxation item people will enjoy such as a good games to draw users’ attention to the site.