Things News Website Visitors Never, Ever Say (The Remix)

Steve Safran April 8th, 2007

BY STEVE SAFRAN
MANAGING EDITOR
LOST REMOTE
steviesaf@gmail.com

A first for me at Lost Remote: a rewrite of a column, based upon your input. Last week, I wrote “Things Web Viewsers Never, Ever Say,” a list dedicated to poking fun at all those silly quirks TV news websites have. We tend to get so worked up when building a site that we forget one important thing: the user experience. TV news sites are a clutter of marketing, news, sales and PR. As always, I invited the LR Faithful to contribute. And you did. Your first message: drop the word “viewser.” In 2003, when I wrote “Things Viewers Never, Ever Say,” I wound up writing a separate column just with reader suggestions. This time I’m merging my stuff with yours into a remixed piece, with the title you suggested: “Things News Website Visitors Never, Ever Say.” I’ve cut out some of my original stuff and given credit to you where due.

“I like how I can get the marketing information, the sales information, advertorials, automotive, real estate, dating, coupons, information about upcoming sweeps stories and 40 other items all on the station’s front page. Also, I believe there is news here.”

“Simple web pages make me think the station isn’t spending enough money. Clutter equals quality.” (El Dangeroso)

“I’m glad the search box is harder to find than a winning lottery ticket. I love scavenger hunts!” (Ted)

“It’s really cool how your homepage is like, five pages long! Sweet!” (Jason)

“Sure I’ll abandon Craigslist for your awkward to navigate classified ad section.” (Alyssa)

“My friends are forever asking “What do you suppose that anchor is doing in the community?” I’m glad I can find that.”

“Please tell me more about your weekend, overnight photog and how wacky he is. I want to see bios for everyone at your station!” (Jay)

“This website would be better if it helped service the station’s brand more.”

“I worry that non-news pages will dilute this station’s brand.”

“I love how you tell me half the story then tell me I can get the rest of the story on the newscast at 5 p.m. and I really like it when you’re still telling me that the next day!” (Rob)

“I love it when the talking heads on the picture box tell me to go to the .com for more info and when I get there I don’t know where to find it. This gives me plenty of time to explore the site.” (mikemcguff)

“You know what would help me get the local news? Have it about halfway down the page below the promotions.”

“Some people assume if the story is at the top of your page is new, but not me, so I like it when you add the “new” button to the end of the headline to tell me the story is new.” (Rob)

“Please post more information about the British sailors. Because you cover world news so well.” (Jay)

“Please add more state and regional news to the local news section. “ (Jay)

“It’s cool how that information I want is only three clicks deep.”

“Every segment has its own page that doesn’t link to anything else? How exclusive!” (El Dangeroso)

“Did you see how they promote the network? That’s awesome.”

“Don’t worry about making it compatible with the Apple audience. We’re not that important.” (paraphrasing Alyssa)

“I hope they brought marketing in to the meetings about this site.”

“I think it is so cool that the experts featured on your web site also happen to be local businesses that advertise on your station.” (David Martin)

“I’m glad you replaced full screen pop-ups with ads that block the actual content and I have to play tag with the close button.” (rw)

“I like how they take the people they don’t want on TV and put them on the web.”

“That was a great video. Thank God people can only see it here. Lord knows it would hurt the station if I could embed it on my blog.” (Roon)

“Watching that baby panda sneeze for the 100th time is always worth the :15 pre-roll.” (baker)

“I’m glad the colors on the site completely match the colors you use on TV. I would have been confused where I was otherwise.”

“More flashing ads for mortgages!”

“You don’t have to update your site for me. If I see a newscast at 6 or 10, that’s good enough. It can wait until morning.” (paraphrasing discreet_chaos)

“The anchors’ heads at the top of your site reminds me of Mount Rushmore. It calms me and makes me want to watch the newscast.”

“I like how they put the fun stories way at the bottom. That way I can wade through all the hard news before I can find the stories I think are interesting.”

“Keep those fires, accidents and crime stories coming. We love watching them on TV, and we can’t get enough of them online.” (joe)

“If they could squeeze things together just a smidge more, I would be able to view this on my watch.”

“I love how your videos are smaller than a US Postage Stamp.” (Rob)

“Great use of tabs!”

“I love how your ‘blogs’ don’t accept comments. I don’t have anything to say and I doubt anyone else does.” (mac)

“Yes, I will make you my homepage because I like to get my information from just one source.”

“Forcing me to register makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger. Thank you for allowing me to become a valued member.” (Joe)

“I love how this looks just like all the other sites in town. Distinction disturbs me.”

“Unless I saw it first on TV, I certainly don’t want to see it on the web.” (El Dangeroso)

“Navigation on the top AND the side! I feel like Magellan!”

“The auto-play ads and promos when I come to your site are great. They tell me if my computer speakers are on.” (Ted)

“I like how the embedded videos on your homepage start up with the audio louder than the landing pattern at the airport. So does the guy in the cubicle three desks away from me.” (Rob)

Great work, everyone. I think we can agree this is a considerably better list of things web visitors (not viewsers) never, ever say. Mostly because you did the work. Thanks for the help.