9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites

I think we should encourage sending this to our area newspapers across the country.  I’ll do so tomorrow morning!

I think we should encourage sending this to our area newspapers across the country.  I’ll do so tomorrow morning!

Better searching should also be a priority.  Search engines for these sites are terrible.

Better searching should also be a priority.  Search engines for these sites are terrible.

[...] The Bivings Report — the folks who studied what web 2.0 features newspaper sites are and aren’t using — suggests nine ways to improve those sites functionally and it’s a good list. Among the suggestions: use tags, provide RSS, kill registration, link out to and partner with local bloggers. [...]

“Use better HTML” is another example. In your own case, you should be using an ordered list.

“Use better HTML” is another example. In your own case, you should be using an ordered list.

You do realize that your examples in #8 violates your rule in #5?! Is there not an example that is working within all your recommended parameters?

You do realize that your examples in #8 violates your rule in #5?! Is there not an example that is working within all your recommended parameters?

Jonathan, Below are examples of websites whose graphic designs we liked that don’t require registration.  http://www.rockymountainnews.c.....hanks,Todd

Jonathan,

Below are examples of websites whose graphic designs we liked that don’t require registration. 

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
http://www.chron.com/

Thanks,

Todd

[...] Todd Ziegler: 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites.  [...]

[...] The Bivings Report has published its 9 ways for Newspapers to Improve their websites. Points 2, 4, 6 and, yes, 10 are the most crucial. 2 – Provide Full Text RSS Feeds.  Not a single newspaper we looked at offered full text RSS feeds.  All of them only offered partial feeds, essentially using RSS like email notification –  letting users know about new stuff in order to attract more page views.  Newspaper should experiment with providing ad-supported full text RSS feeds.  This is already common practice among blogs like Gawker and would satisfy the growing number of folks who want to read all their news in a single RSS reader. [...]

In conjunction with #! (Start Using Tags), I’d also suggest Open Up Your Archives (at least a little more).  Tags won’t help a lot if stories vanish after 10 days.Re: #8 (Redesign), as a user who’s still restricted to dialup, I’d beg:  Pay attention to your loading times.  Don’t use tons of images where text+CSS will do the job, and don’t deliver more javascript than content.  It’ll keep your readers happy, and save on bandwidth.

In conjunction with #! (Start Using Tags), I’d also suggest Open Up Your Archives (at least a little more).  Tags won’t help a lot if stories vanish after 10 days.Re: #8 (Redesign), as a user who’s still restricted to dialup, I’d beg:  Pay attention to your loading times.  Don’t use tons of images where text+CSS will do the job, and don’t deliver more javascript than content.  It’ll keep your readers happy, and save on bandwidth.

[...] Nu o sa mai ignor semnele disperate ale intuitiei mele feminine de business: vroiam sa scriu despre un raport extrem de dragut de la TheBivingsReport, dar am zis ca nu este cazul sa discut eu despre asa ceva. Evident, am pierdut stirea contra lui BuzzMachine. [...]

9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites…

I cannot agree with the registration thing more wholeheartedly….

I am sure many people already know this, but when faced with a registration requirement, the easiest thing to do, until newspapers realize their mistake, is head to http://www.bugmenot.com

I am sure many people already know this, but when faced with a registration requirement, the easiest thing to do, until newspapers realize their mistake, is head to http://www.bugmenot.com

Move to Drupal Infrastructure. It is perfect for Newspaper Industry

Move to Drupal Infrastructure. It is perfect for Newspaper Industry

The NashvillePost.com makes exstensive use of Tags and RSS, and also utilizes the One True Layout.

The NashvillePost.com makes exstensive use of Tags and RSS, and also utilizes the One True Layout.

Bivings Report is also based on the One True Layout.  It looks like the Nashville Post is having some problems in the right column in Firefox.

Bivings Report is also based on the One True Layout.  It looks like the Nashville Post is having some problems in the right column in Firefox.

[...] Consejos para mejorar los periodicos online Despues de saber que los blogs son participes de la guerra sucia contra Lopez Obrador (sarcasmus on), aun asi y en lugar de hacer un planton o resistencia blogueril, me encontre este articulo que habla de recomendaciones para que los periodicos online mejoren la forma de distribuir la informacion, tener mejor presencia y audiencia. [...]

Am I the only one who thinks tag clouds are very poor usability? To have to read through 50 links in a 2″ by 2″ space, while visually cool, from a user’s perspective is a pain. Has anyone seen any better implementations of “tag clouds” – better than the one on this site for example?

Am I the only one who thinks tag clouds are very poor usability? To have to read through 50 links in a 2″ by 2″ space, while visually cool, from a user’s perspective is a pain. Has anyone seen any better implementations of “tag clouds” – better than the one on this site for example?

[...] The Bivings Report offers up 10 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites. On the list: [...]

Here’s a corollary to #5 <blockquote> 5) Get Rid of All Registration.  I’m at the point where I’m not going to register to read content unless it’s the New York Times.  I’ll either work around the registration using BugMeNot or just go elsewhere.  Registration prevents your content from being discussed and spreading online.  It hurts page views too. </blockquote> No registration and predictable PERMALINKS!  My site, <a href="http://citizenwill.org">CitizenWill</a> and another local site, <a href="http://orangepolitics.org">OrangePolitics.org</a>, comment on local issues almost exclusively.  For that, we link to local media, the <a href="http://dailytarheel.com">UNC’s Daily Tar Heel</a> (GREAT), the Independent Weekly [<a href="http://indyweek.com">IndyWeek</a>] (GREAT), the <a href="http://chapelhillnews.com">Chapel Hill News</a> (GOOD), the Chapel Hill News’ parent paper <a href="http://newsandobserver.com">McClatchy’s News and Observer</a> (BAD) and Durham’s HeraldSun  (the WORST – screw linking to them). I recently checked my links to media on my site, OP and other local outlets – nearly %70 were broken because I used the HeraldSun/News and Observer way, way too much. I’m going to start quoting more extensively, attributing the content but forego linking because it creates such a poor user experience.

Here’s a corollary to #5 <blockquote> 5) Get Rid of All Registration.  I’m at the point where I’m not going to register to read content unless it’s the New York Times.  I’ll either work around the registration using BugMeNot or just go elsewhere.  Registration prevents your content from being discussed and spreading online.  It hurts page views too. </blockquote> No registration and predictable PERMALINKS!  My site, <a href="http://citizenwill.org">CitizenWill</a> and another local site, <a href="http://orangepolitics.org">OrangePolitics.org</a>, comment on local issues almost exclusively.  For that, we link to local media, the <a href="http://dailytarheel.com">UNC’s Daily Tar Heel</a> (GREAT), the Independent Weekly [<a href="http://indyweek.com">IndyWeek</a>] (GREAT), the <a href="http://chapelhillnews.com">Chapel Hill News</a> (GOOD), the Chapel Hill News’ parent paper <a href="http://newsandobserver.com">McClatchy’s News and Observer</a> (BAD) and Durham’s HeraldSun  (the WORST – screw linking to them). I recently checked my links to media on my site, OP and other local outlets – nearly %70 were broken because I used the HeraldSun/News and Observer way, way too much. I’m going to start quoting more extensively, attributing the content but forego linking because it creates such a poor user experience.

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites »The Bivings Report : Might I add: 1) stop the vertical organization of your content. Newspaper sections DO NOT transfer well to a website. 2) Embrace good, lightweight HTML. 3) Easy to navigate (and free) archives. Either that, or an easy micro-payment system. 4) Commentary from the community on the story, with live chat to the reporter. That’d be cool. 5) Well, cut the print product. [...]

A couple of points leap out #4 – I’m not going to get into one of those arguments about the veracity of bloggers content Vs. traditional journalists as I’m of the opinion that some bloggers beat journalist hands down. The point I would make is the amount of time it take the online editorial staff to sift the blogosphgere to locate content of a certain standard – more staff and better working practices will allow more interaction with relevant content sources regardless of their type. #5 – It can be argued that if a news website requests its users to register some basic details then the site can in return offer a better user experience by allowing customisation of page display, enhanced e-mail and desktop alerts and faster entry into competitions. While I agree the NYT is a very good website I don’t think it merits the status of ‘the only site I’d bother logging into’.

A couple of points leap out #4 – I’m not going to get into one of those arguments about the veracity of bloggers content Vs. traditional journalists as I’m of the opinion that some bloggers beat journalist hands down. The point I would make is the amount of time it take the online editorial staff to sift the blogosphgere to locate content of a certain standard – more staff and better working practices will allow more interaction with relevant content sources regardless of their type. #5 – It can be argued that if a news website requests its users to register some basic details then the site can in return offer a better user experience by allowing customisation of page display, enhanced e-mail and desktop alerts and faster entry into competitions. While I agree the NYT is a very good website I don’t think it merits the status of ‘the only site I’d bother logging into’.

I disagree with the registration comment. What sites need to do is give positive reasons to register (neat tools that only work if the site knows who you are), instead of negative reasons to register (we won’t show you content). Too much of newspaper’s registration has no value add to the user other than letting you get at content (which should be open).

I disagree with the registration comment. What sites need to do is give positive reasons to register (neat tools that only work if the site knows who you are), instead of negative reasons to register (we won’t show you content). Too much of newspaper’s registration has no value add to the user other than letting you get at content (which should be open).

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites Actually 10. I have one, too: stop sucking! (tags: rss design journalism tagging web2.0 webdesign news) [...]

[...] The Bivings Report which has been looking at American newspaper web sites has come up with ten ways to improve news web sites. Some are debatable but they are all worth considering. This is the list: [...]

Multilingual versions would be wonderful!

At least for headlines and excerpts of main events. This would allow a worlwide audience. To my knowledge only CNN offers other language versions…

Multilingual versions would be wonderful!

At least for headlines and excerpts of main events. This would allow a worlwide audience. To my knowledge only CNN offers other language versions…

Great list.
Isn’t a simple summary of the 9 "become a Social Network"

Great list.
Isn’t a simple summary of the 9 "become a Social Network"

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report (tags: web2.0 journalism media newspapers) [...]

I have never understood why newspapers don’t take advantage of their web sites to offer more content.  For example, a reporter might conduct an interview with someone but only use a couple of quotes in the story.  Why not publish the whole interview online?  Let people see for themselves everything the interviewee had to say and in context?  And when reporting on court cases or studies of various kinds, why not post a copy on the web site or at least provide a link?  This is simple stuff that would both make the web site more valuable and improve the credibility of newspapers.  It’s really insane to just reprint the same material that is in the print edition.

I have never understood why newspapers don’t take advantage of their web sites to offer more content.  For example, a reporter might conduct an interview with someone but only use a couple of quotes in the story.  Why not publish the whole interview online?  Let people see for themselves everything the interviewee had to say and in context?  And when reporting on court cases or studies of various kinds, why not post a copy on the web site or at least provide a link?  This is simple stuff that would both make the web site more valuable and improve the credibility of newspapers.  It’s really insane to just reprint the same material that is in the print edition.

Some of this advice can apply to other business web sites.

Some of this advice can apply to other business web sites.

Joe/Old Grouch: Cleaner HTML is a great point.  Adam: I agree that tag clouds are essentially useless eye candy in most cases (including ours).  I can tell you very few people click on them.  I’d be interested in hearing about a better way as well.Charlie/Joe: To clarify, I really don’t have a problem with optional registration or registration being required to use certain features (customized homepage, to post comments, etc.).  I just feel strongly that papers should not require registration to read content.  I am also someone who is not going to pay to read website content (unless I have to for work).Gabriel: Multilingual versions are great if its economically feasible. Thomas: I think "become a Social Network" pretty much sums it up.  That is a very nice way of putting what I’m getting at.Bruce: I think offering more supplemental content is a great idea.  I’d also like to see the letter to the editor process become transparent.  Why not just post all the letters you get on the website?Thanks to everyone for their great ideas and comments.

Joe/Old Grouch: Cleaner HTML is a great point. 

Adam: I agree that tag clouds are essentially useless eye candy in most cases (including ours).  I can tell you very few people click on them.  I’d be interested in hearing about a better way as well.

Charlie/Joe: To clarify, I really don’t have a problem with optional registration or registration being required to use certain features (customized homepage, to post comments, etc.).  I just feel strongly that papers should not require registration to read content.  I am also someone who is not going to pay to read website content (unless I have to for work).

Gabriel: Multilingual versions are great if its economically feasible.

Thomas: I think "become a Social Network" pretty much sums it up.  That is a very nice way of putting what I’m getting at.

Bruce: I think offering more supplemental content is a great idea.  I’d also like to see the letter to the editor process become transparent.  Why not just post all the letters you get on the website?

Thanks to everyone for their great ideas and comments.

Here’s the best reason to get rid of registration.When the NYT started requiring it, one guy got really pissed of at the Times & decided to use as his name "Fuck The New York Times".The Times computer responded, "We’re sorry, but that name is all ready used, may we suggest ‘Fuck The New York Times 12′"That means he was the 13th person who wanted to do that!

Here’s the best reason to get rid of registration.When the NYT started requiring it, one guy got really pissed of at the Times & decided to use as his name "Fuck The New York Times".The Times computer responded, "We’re sorry, but that name is all ready used, may we suggest ‘Fuck The New York Times 12′"That means he was the 13th person who wanted to do that!

[...] http://www.bivingsreport.com/2.....&nbsp; Advice for Newspaper website, worth a look. [...]

Great stuff, Todd.

Great stuff, Todd.

[...] Back on an old familiar topic – newspapers and the internet, the BivingsReport gives 9 ways for newspapers to improve their websites – (1) Start Using Tags. (2) Provide Full Text RSS Feeds. (3) Work with External “Social” Websites. (4) Link to Relevant Blog Entries. (5) Get Rid of All Registration. (6) Partner with Local Bloggers. (7) Offer Alternative Views of Your Content. (8) Modernize Your Site’s Graphic Design. (9) Learn from Craigslist. [...]

[...] Todd Zeigler has some tips for news websites. In my opinion some of the d-cinema news sites should take some advice because as I see it most of them are in the dark ages. Getting d-cinema information is painfull. [...]

Give readers blurbs, ledes, nutgrafs or whatever so they can see what a story is about without having to guess from the hed ("Council approves group’s plan").
The first informed decision we can help readers make is the decision to read a story — or not. Not everyone is a "cover-to-cover" reader, and we shouldn’t punish readers who aren’t, even if we get more pageviews by forcing them to click on each hed to see what the story is about.

Give readers blurbs, ledes, nutgrafs or whatever so they can see what a story is about without having to guess from the hed ("Council approves group’s plan").
The first informed decision we can help readers make is the decision to read a story — or not. Not everyone is a "cover-to-cover" reader, and we shouldn’t punish readers who aren’t, even if we get more pageviews by forcing them to click on each hed to see what the story is about.

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report (tags: web2.0 journalism media newspapers) [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report (tags: web2.0 journalism media newspapers) [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report [...]

Simply switch to PressDisplay.com and forget about the publisher site.

By the way more and more publishers simply switch to the PressDisplay platform.

Simply switch to PressDisplay.com and forget about the publisher site.

By the way more and more publishers simply switch to the PressDisplay platform.

Bravo!I couldn’t agree more.It almost seems as if the webmasters are constrained by print editors as to what they can and can’t do.  And print editors know nothing about web publishing and design.

Bravo!I couldn’t agree more.It almost seems as if the webmasters are constrained by print editors as to what they can and can’t do.  And print editors know nothing about web publishing and design.

[...] The Bivings Report [...]

Great list for online editors to consider. I would like to say that azcentral. com, the site for The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, uses full-text RSS feeds and delivers news on cellphones and PDAs.

Great list for online editors to consider. I would like to say that azcentral. com, the site for The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, uses full-text RSS feeds and delivers news on cellphones and PDAs.

Great suggestions for class discussion at the start of an "online journalism" semester — especially when we have a local "River of News" development to talk about. Thanks! (http://radio.weblogs.com/01063......html#a627)

Great suggestions for class discussion at the start of an "online journalism" semester — especially when we have a local "River of News" development to talk about. Thanks! (http://radio.weblogs.com/01063......html#a627)

Jacki – I think it’s fantastic that The Arizona republic offers a PDA version.  Very cool.  However, unless I’m missing something, they are providing only a partial RSS feed.  See below:http://www.azcentral.com/rss/f.....cfront.xmlWe didn’t find a single paper with a full text RSS feed.  Thanks for the comment.

Jacki – I think it’s fantastic that The Arizona republic offers a PDA version.  Very cool.  However, unless I’m missing something, they are providing only a partial RSS feed.  See below:

http://www.azcentral.com/rss/f.....cfront.xml

We didn’t find a single paper with a full text RSS feed. 

Thanks for the comment.

[...] Todd Zeigler at The Bivings Report offers up nine sensible ways for newspapers to improve their websites. They’re all solid: [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites …ali zakaj so slovenski spletni mediji bolj ali manj analogni [...]

[...] 3. On theBivingsreport, Todd Zeigler provides guidance to newspaper publishers on improving their websites.  I’ve already pushed it to a few of my media friends. [...]

[...] Links: The research, Article 1, Article 2 [...]

[...] A report – 9 ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites – was released this week by the Bivings Group, a D.C. based Internet communications firm whose “sole focus is on helping clients use technology to converse and communicate with the audiences that matter to them.” [...]

[...] BivingsReport hat was für Zeitungen: 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites [...]

Another suggestion: You suggest partnering with local bloggers (no. 6). How about newspapers partnering with special-interest blogs for sections that don’t often have a local focus — movies, automotive, etc.?

Another suggestion: You suggest partnering with local bloggers (no. 6). How about newspapers partnering with special-interest blogs for sections that don’t often have a local focus — movies, automotive, etc.?

It’s interesting to me that no one involved, from the creator of the list onward, had anything to say about the quality of content on newspaper websites. Very few of them reflect development of story telling and presentation skills. Take a close look at what Kevin Sites is doing the Hot Zone and think about how that model might apply to developing powerful, interesting content that goes far beyond repurposing text stories.

It’s interesting to me that no one involved, from the creator of the list onward, had anything to say about the quality of content on newspaper websites. Very few of them reflect development of story telling and presentation skills. Take a close look at what Kevin Sites is doing the Hot Zone and think about how that model might apply to developing powerful, interesting content that goes far beyond repurposing text stories.

Excellent points. In writing from time to time about the impact of new media on journalism, I have stressed the importance of relevancy and participation. It is interesting to note that while newspaper readership is declining among younger Americans, college newspapers continue to thrive. Why?
Students have a relationship to their newspaper that most of us lack with our local paper.  That’s because the newspaper is about them and written by them. And it is often their only source for campus news.
For newspapers to be successful, they need to replicate that sense of community and establish a bond with the reader that campus newspapers clearly have.  Reader blogs, sites to post pictures and videos, and local news coverage at the micro level are some ways to keep readers engaged.

Excellent points. In writing from time to time about the impact of new media on journalism, I have stressed the importance of relevancy and participation. It is interesting to note that while newspaper readership is declining among younger Americans, college newspapers continue to thrive. Why?
Students have a relationship to their newspaper that most of us lack with our local paper.  That’s because the newspaper is about them and written by them. And it is often their only source for campus news.
For newspapers to be successful, they need to replicate that sense of community and establish a bond with the reader that campus newspapers clearly have.  Reader blogs, sites to post pictures and videos, and local news coverage at the micro level are some ways to keep readers engaged.

[...] The majority of online newspaper sites out there are a pain to use, navigate, and access on a regular basis, especially the sites of college newspapers. Todd Zeigler suggests 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve their websites. [...]

[...] Agosto 31st 2006 El fin de la era de la prensa (3): socializar posted @ 11:17 in [ General ] The Bivings Report (TBR), analistas del nuevo mercado digital dela información, publican nueve recomendaciones para mejorar las webs de los diarios (yo diría que también todas las demás).El resumen en abrir y socializar la información en el entorno del Periodismo 3.0 participativo y las herramientas y flujos de la Web 2.0.1. Usar tags.2. Texto completo en RSS (todavía no accesible siquiera en algunos blogs privados).3. Etiquetado social.4. Enlazar comentarios e información de blogs.5. Eliminar barreras de acceso y registros.6. Colaborar con blogs locales.7. Añadir criterio social al de los editores.8. Modernizar el diseño para ganar usabilidad.9. Aprender de los clasificados nativos de la Red. Todas las recomendaciones son adecuadas, aunque algunas apuntan a entornos de público todavía minoritarios, pero lo importante es la apertura de la información, la renovación de los criterios y facilitar la llegada del lector al discurso informativo más allá de la ajada autoridad del periodismo. 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites | The Bivings Report P21 | El fin de la era de la prensa (2): blogs P21 | El fin de la era de la prensa El fin de la era de la prensa | Artículo de contenido abierto [...]

It is amazing that most 14 year olds with blogs are light years ahead of large news corporations that have the massive resources and trained professional ? staff.
Management of the old school hiding in their top floor offices trying to intimidate others with technology instead of embracing the new technology.
                                       http://www.ace-training.net
 

It is amazing that most 14 year olds with blogs are light years ahead of large news corporations that have the massive resources and trained professional ? staff.
Management of the old school hiding in their top floor offices trying to intimidate others with technology instead of embracing the new technology.
                                       http://www.ace-training.net
 

[...] 9 ways for newspapers to improve their websites och uppföljaren Disussion roundup: Ways to improve newspaper websites. [...]

[...] In the News Sep 6 at 4:35 am by Thord Hedengren -There’s a short but great post over at journalism.co.uk about how newspapers can get better online, and it’s very blog as well as Web 2.0 friendly. Tags, RSS, social websites, blog partnerships and linking and so on is on the ten points long list that originates from The Bivings Report. [...]

[...] Todd Zeigler, en The Bivings Report, propón nove xeitos de que os xornais renoven os seus webs: [...]

Oh sh*#%!!! craigslist is like a hammer on the head. Can’t believe they are successful or read by anyone…Too much for me.I’d consider the register to be forward, too. They have a much more intuitive and Information-focused design, which i like very much. Only Headlines and a subtitle. What do you need more?

Oh sh*#%!!! craigslist is like a hammer on the head. Can’t believe they are successful or read by anyone…Too much for me.I’d consider the register to be forward, too. They have a much more intuitive and Information-focused design, which i like very much. Only Headlines and a subtitle. What do you need more?

[...] Adrian Holovaty has cornered the geek-journalist market. Today, he picks up on 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites and identifies the oppotunties that journalists are missing. Fundamental shifts need to happen for newspaper companies to remain essential sources of information for their communities…[W]hat I really want to be able to do is explore the raw facts of that story, one by one, with layers of attribution, and an infrastructure for comparing the details of [a story].. when I’ve tried to explain the error of storing everything as a news article, journalists don’t immediately understand why it is bad. To them, a publishing system is just a means to an end: getting information out to the public…The goal isn’t to have clean data — it’s to publish data quickly, with bonus points for a nice user interface. But the goal for me, a data person focused more on the long term, is to store information in the most valuable format possible. [...]

This is by far my favorite layout/website…

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/

This is by far my favorite layout/website…

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/

as i said before, you could find n different ideas of how to use vacant space, and over time, one will look better than the other…
what i would do is try to give more control to the user in the form of hotkeys that "hide" space-hoggers such as menus. cnn.com homepage redesign is TOO MUCH text on the homepage – too much text confuses the user.
thefirstpost uses flashy graphics while it looks good, it makes me question whether i would even bother spending time on it? it looks good, but so what?

as i said before, you could find n different ideas of how to use vacant space, and over time, one will look better than the other…
what i would do is try to give more control to the user in the form of hotkeys that "hide" space-hoggers such as menus. cnn.com homepage redesign is TOO MUCH text on the homepage – too much text confuses the user.
thefirstpost uses flashy graphics while it looks good, it makes me question whether i would even bother spending time on it? it looks good, but so what?

[...] Todd Zeigler has posted his opinions on what newspapers need to do to freshen up their websites. A bit of discussion and cross-posting ensued, including one by Adrian Holovaty and a follow-up by Todd. [...]

[...] Adrian refers in his blog post to The Bivings Report post entitled: 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites. Also an interesting read. [...]

[...] Som nævnt i min post Aviser i Krise, har aviser verden over problemer med at tilpasse sig de nye internettider. The Bivings Report har 9 forslag til, hvordan amerikanske aviser kan forbedre deres websites ved hjælp af bl.a. forskellige Web 2.0 teknologier. [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report (tags: newspapers web2.0 media) [...]

[...] El Word Editors Forum publica en su weblog un resumen de un artículo publicado por la consultora Bivings Group en el que ofrecía nueve consejos de calado a los editores de la prensa tradicional: [...]

[...] Newspapers have to change. That’s something so obvious that it’s silly to even talk about it. Unfortunately, not all of them even realize that (and why) they need a website. Those of them who do, rarely have any idea of how to do it properly. To help them out, here are the 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites. Here are the points, with my comments. [...]

[...] A blog entry titled 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites has been making the rounds lately. I don’t write about the online news industry on this site as much as I used to, but this article inspired me to collect my current thinking on what newspaper sites need to do. Here, I present my opinion of one fundamental change that needs to happen. [...]

[...] Reponding to the Bivings Report, which recently suggested ten ways newspapers can improve their web sites, WashingtonPost.com journalist Adrian Holovaty has repeated his argument that journalists need to learn to collect “structured information” — which he describes as “the type of information that can be sliced-and-diced, in an automated fashion, by computers”. [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report Als Folgerung aus der Analyse von 100 US-Nachrichtensites (”Bivings Report”) gibt einer der Autoren Tipps zur Verbesserung des Online-Angebots (tags: bpb-vortrag studie online-journalismus) [...]

Sure, there are a decent number of cell phone/PDA-friendly news sites:http://mobile.latimes.comhttp://mobile.nytimes.com http://mobile.chicagotribune.com http://mobile.washingtonpost.com http://mobile.reuters.com http://wap.usatoday.com Among others.  Some of these seem not to be doing device detection and redirection yet; you have to magically find out about these URLs somehow, so it’s fair to be unaware of this stuff.  Hopefully that will change soon.  (full disclosure: I’ve had my hand in some of this work)

Sure, there are a decent number of cell phone/PDA-friendly news sites:http://mobile.latimes.comhttp://mobile.nytimes.com http://mobile.chicagotribune.com http://mobile.washingtonpost.com http://mobile.reuters.com http://wap.usatoday.com Among others.  Some of these seem not to be doing device detection and redirection yet; you have to magically find out about these URLs somehow, so it’s fair to be unaware of this stuff.  Hopefully that will change soon.  (full disclosure: I’ve had my hand in some of this work)

[...] The Bivings Report: 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites Todd Zeigler ger nio förslag på hur nättidningar kan börja bli mer internetanpassade, och mindre papperstidningen på nätet. (tags: journalistik nätjournalistik web20 todd_zeigler the_bivings_report rss etiketter bloggosfären) [...]

[...] Source: Bivingsreport [...]

[...] (5) Michael Kinsley wrote a great article for Time Magazine this week called Do Newspapers Have a Future?  Money quote: “Newspapers on paper are on the way out. Whether newspaper companies are on the way out too depends.”  IMO, the key to survival is figuring out how to use the Internet properly.  We’ll continue to beat that particular drum.  [...]

Sad that you didn’t focus more attention on classifieds because that is a huge issue for both newspapers and users.

One issue we’ve encounterd is that more users abandon classified entry on the web than complete the process. Why? Because the whole concept that most people know how to write an effective classified ad was a bad assumption.

We created a solution that helps people write better ads. Here’s an example from a TV station:
http://wjar.adqic.com/index.adq
We also have about 20 newspapers up and running.

Next, we’re tackling the display of classified ads, which to date has been terrible. Why should an online classified ad read, look or feel like a text ad? And why do all the ads look the same? Not much fun for shoppers!

Yes, content comes first. When when it comes to placing ads and shopping, fun plays a role, too!

Sad that you didn’t focus more attention on classifieds because that is a huge issue for both newspapers and users.

One issue we’ve encounterd is that more users abandon classified entry on the web than complete the process. Why? Because the whole concept that most people know how to write an effective classified ad was a bad assumption.

We created a solution that helps people write better ads. Here’s an example from a TV station:
http://wjar.adqic.com/index.adq
We also have about 20 newspapers up and running.

Next, we’re tackling the display of classified ads, which to date has been terrible. Why should an online classified ad read, look or feel like a text ad? And why do all the ads look the same? Not much fun for shoppers!

Yes, content comes first. When when it comes to placing ads and shopping, fun plays a role, too!

I’ve been saying for months they need to go to something like Digg. A nice comments and rating system on the fly ala- AJAX.

I’ve been saying for months they need to go to something like Digg. A nice comments and rating system on the fly ala- AJAX.

[...] Following research to see which so-called “Web 2.0″ features newspaper sites use, The Bivings Report offers 10 ways for newspapers to improve their sites. (It used to be nine, but the cell/PDA item was bolted on after the initial post.) [...]

[...] While Erin and I most definitely are not experts on the newspaper industry overall and do not presume to know how to fix the LA Times, we do know a little bit about newspaper websites from putting together our report.  We advocated for many of the concepts we outlined in our post, 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites, as well as some of the ideas readers submitted in response.  [...]

[...] with del.icio.us   |   Email this entry   |   TrackBack URI   |   Digg it   |   Track with co.mments   |     |   Cosmos Click here forcopyright permissions! Copyright 2006 Mathew Ingram [...]

just checkin things out

just checkin things out

[...] Adrian was prompted to write his piece in response to 9 Ways for newspapers to improve their websites, which had made the rounds. [...]

[...] So I decided to attempt a redesign of the USA Today homepage as companion piece to our recommendations to the newspaper industry.  Senior designer Jei Park and I sat down and figured if we’re going to talk the talk, we might as well start walking as well. A couple of notes: [...]

–Include the editorial calendar in a place where readers, including advertisers, can find it easily. Most newspapers, if they have it all, bury it three and four layers into the site.

–Include a list of pitching tips.

–List reporters’ and editors’ names, along with photos and email addresses.

–List reporters who blog, and link to the blogs.

–Include the editorial calendar in a place where readers, including advertisers, can find it easily. Most newspapers, if they have it all, bury it three and four layers into the site.

–Include a list of pitching tips.

–List reporters’ and editors’ names, along with photos and email addresses.

–List reporters who blog, and link to the blogs.

[...] On the letters to the editor, absolutely. This is something that came up in a follow up to our 9 Ways to Improve Newspaper Websites post. I would love to see this process opened up. [...]

[...] We all know how YouTube and blogs have affected political campaigns and the traditional print media.  But have we ever stopped to think where we would be without Web 2.0? [...]

Check out this company website.

they are based in n ireland and have 7 newspaper titles.

they also have a design service in house offering web and graphic services!!! pretty impressive!

Check out this company website.

they are based in n ireland and have 7 newspaper titles.

they also have a design service in house offering web and graphic services!!! pretty impressive!

Nice site actually. Gone to my favourites. Thanks for creation.

Nice site actually. Gone to my favourites. Thanks for creation.

I am webmaster for a small newspaper and have to say that this list has some very great suggestions I’d like to implement. But, being in the position I am, I can say that the hold up lies in management. Most editors are still convinced that the newspaper is a paper and print industry and not a news and information one. They are all resistant if not fearful to change from their 50 yr old business model. After all, they need to protect the almighty circulation numbers and (in their eyes) the web gets in the way of that. Scott has a great quote above: “…webmasters are constrained by print editors.” This is the exact situation according to me and I assume most other webmasters in the biz.

I am webmaster for a small newspaper and have to say that this list has some very great suggestions I’d like to implement. But, being in the position I am, I can say that the hold up lies in management. Most editors are still convinced that the newspaper is a paper and print industry and not a news and information one. They are all resistant if not fearful to change from their 50 yr old business model. After all, they need to protect the almighty circulation numbers and (in their eyes) the web gets in the way of that. Scott has a great quote above: “…webmasters are constrained by print editors.” This is the exact situation according to me and I assume most other webmasters in the biz.

[...] The site links to external blogs in various spots (blogroll style) but doesn’t really integrate third-party content that well.  Why not use that little Technorati API to link to bloggers that are talking about the article you are reading?  Why not allow trackbacks?  [...]

[...] You can read the Bivings article here and here is Bug Me Not. [...]

[...] Entitled “Cracking the code for news sites,” the piece sort of combines our newspaper research with our series of posts on how to improve newspaper websites.  [...]

[...] Read the full article from The Bivings Report here. [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites [...]

[...] Todd Zeigler has written a great post called 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites. One could easily argue that most of these same points apply to digital editions as well. In fact, some of these are already standard features within the NXTbook and others would be considered to be in the “just-around-the-corner” category. [...]

The site looks great ! Thanks for all your help ( past, present and future !)

The site looks great ! Thanks for all your help ( past, present and future !)

I agree about how simple and clean Craigslist is. I did some GIS analysis of the craigslist websites and how many people theyt reach in over 280 US urban areas. Very enlightening for online marketing. I have a free Google map of all the 289 sites in the US, so you could compare those (and possibly id what newspapers they are squeezing out in each area). http://www.aMillionPlaces.com

I agree about how simple and clean Craigslist is. I did some GIS analysis of the craigslist websites and how many people theyt reach in over 280 US urban areas. Very enlightening for online marketing. I have a free Google map of all the 289 sites in the US, so you could compare those (and possibly id what newspapers they are squeezing out in each area). http://www.aMillionPlaces.com

Hello,

I am in 100% agreement with most of your points….BUT….i do worry that by suggesting AGAINST any form of registration, you are advocating giving full content away. Just as a reference, what we do at First Day Story ( http://www.firstdaystory.com ) is allow the publisher to pick and choose what content is protected and what is free. This is then carried through to the design of the online editions, making it clear to readers what they can get for free…and what they cant.

Hello,

I am in 100% agreement with most of your points….BUT….i do worry that by suggesting AGAINST any form of registration, you are advocating giving full content away. Just as a reference, what we do at First Day Story ( http://www.firstdaystory.com ) is allow the publisher to pick and choose what content is protected and what is free. This is then carried through to the design of the online editions, making it clear to readers what they can get for free…and what they cant.

Topix.net reported that by cancelling registration to make comments they immediately increased their traffic. Regarding “Provide Full Text RSS Feeds”, I doubt newspapers want to lose visitors to RSS aggregators.

Topix.net reported that by cancelling registration to make comments they immediately increased their traffic. Regarding “Provide Full Text RSS Feeds”, I doubt newspapers want to lose visitors to RSS aggregators.

Hi My Name Is ivaexc.

Hi My Name Is ivaexc.

Hi My Name Is ivafce.

Hi My Name Is ivafce.

Hi Jim. Photos i received. Thanks

Hi Jim. Photos i received. Thanks

journalism media newspapers web2.0 webdesign…

[...]9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report[...]…

hi all.

hi all.

[...] Zeigler in Newspaper Study, Media There has been some good discussion around our post about how newspapers can improve their web presence. Below is a breakdown of additions to the list suggested (or inspired by) readers. Comments are [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report “So we figured we’d use this new found expertise for good and offer the newspaper industry some unsolicited advice on how to improve their websites. “ (tags: internet newspapers newspapersites socialmedia webdesign redesign blogging tagging analysts bivings) [...]

[...] 9 Ways for Newspapers to Improve Their Websites » The Bivings Report So we figured we’d use this new found expertise for good and offer the newspaper industry some unsolicited advice on how to improve their websites. (tags: community news newspapers onlinejournalism rss tips) [...]

I wonder what will be the state of newspapers after five years? The sales of newspapers is already decreasing in western countries, while surprisingly it is increasing in countries like India. (Where I live) Today we receive most of our news updates online by subscribing to RSS feeds of either blogs or news websites. But in five years time, will newspapers be redundant or will they do even better?

I wonder what will be the state of newspapers after five years? The sales of newspapers is already decreasing in western countries, while surprisingly it is increasing in countries like India. (Where I live) Today we receive most of our news updates online by subscribing to RSS feeds of either blogs or news websites. But in five years time, will newspapers be redundant or will they do even better?

Sub standard RSS feeds are still the biggest gripe for me with large news organisations.

Sub standard RSS feeds are still the biggest gripe for me with large news organisations.

The biggest problems of people trying to market their business online are: Converting leads to sales Managing an online.