The Democrats
Please Note: The criteria used to critique the various Presidential candidate web sites included: first impressions (visual appeal, messages/branding, icons/graphics), ease of navigation, tools for the cause, interesting insights & fascinating facts, use of multimedia and overall impressions.
Read this blog series intro post here and the critique criteria post here.
Be Warned: Like a Presidential campaign, this post is long, at time arduous, and in the end takes no real "stance" either way on the issues.
But I still want your vote. And by "vote" I mean subscribe to this blog.
------------------------------------------------------
Candidate: Hillary Clinton
Web Site: www.HillaryClinton.com
Blog: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/blog/
Web 2.0: Facebook, MySpace, Eons, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter
First Impressions:
At first glance, Hillary Clinton has an attractive web site. It has a clean style, looks modern, and there is a nice use of colour - mostly shades of blue, with some red to highlight important sections (like donating). The site has a familiar navigation structure - main sections in a bar across the top, and on the home page the right side has a call to action box with "5 Things You Can Do", and links to various other sections like her store, young leaders area (Hillblazers!) and a place to get a free bumper sticker.
The message on the site is clear - Hillary for President! And though campaign sites are portals, it doesn't seem too cluttered. There are the requisite stars and stripes, but it doesn't go overboard. You can learn about Hillary's story, her take on 13 main issues (education, veteran's affairs, women's rights) and what she'll do about it if elected.
As for icons and graphics - they're nice, modern. Nothing that blows me away or is unique. They probably got them from iStockphoto.
Ease of Navigation:
Test 1: I want to give you money - how easy is it to donate?
-- It's pretty easy... the home page has two quickly identifiable red buttons to Contribute, and then a standard form to fill out.
Test 2: I want to buy a campaign hat - how easy is it to get one?
-- Two clicks and you can be choosing from 8 different styles of hats. You still have to Add to Your Basket, Check Out, and then create an account. So it's probably about eight clicks total to get a hat.
Test 3: I'm from Alachua County in Florida and I want to participate - how easy is it to find an event in my community?
-- It's not hard. One the home page I clicked "Plan/Attend an Event", bypassed the account creation and went to "Find an Event", added in an Alchua County zip code, and it came up with 4 events within 100 miles.
Tools for the Cause
There are lots of tools for Hillary supporters available through her web site. In addition to contributing money and buying Hillary gear, there is a full suite of tools to plan and organize events, make calls, start your own blog or become a Hillraiser. You can also help to build their base, but you have to sign up to gain access to these tools. Team Hillary has also made use of some of the social networking resources available, without getting too crazy. As with pretty much the rest of the candidates, she has a Facebook and MySpace page, and a YouTube channel and a Flickr photostream. The one noticeable difference between the other candidates is that she is a member of the Eons community - so she is apparently Loving Life on the Flipside of 50.
Interesting Insights, Fascinating Facts
-- If you like watching Hillary, she's got 88 videos. Some of them are called "Hillcasts"!
-- Very little Bill on the site - I could only find two pics in her bio section and this page. If you're watching CNN, you know the former President is around. If your only exposure is online, you'd wonder if he's even campaigning. (see Flickr pages below)
Multimedia
HillaryClinton.com makes liberal use of multimedia - see videos above. She's also got a Flickr Pro Account, with 3,081 photos as of today. I'd post a photo here, but Team Hillary isn't into Creative Commons. I guess it's only partial sharing at this point. I think letting others use campaign photos would only spread the cause, like they're trying to do.
Also regarding Flickr, and in direct contradiction to my earlier statement that Mr. Hillary Clinton isn't involved in the web campaign, Bill is all over Flickr. As I write this, of the 18 most recent photos posted, 14 are for an event he's having and the former President is in 6 of the 14. Hillary has only 4 photos, and one is a smiling supporter. Take this one page, snap-shot analysis for what it is, but it's a contrast to the main campaign web site.
Overall Impressions
Overall, I think Team Hillary has put forth a solid effort, and created a pleasant and useful experience. If you don't know much about Hillary and want to learn - she gives you the information. It's her info, but it's there. She makes use of the latest trends in technology like social networks - which will reinforce their relevance - but doesn't do it in a desperate, I'm-on-40-web-sites kind of way.
If you're a supporter, you'll probably love the site and the features that let you share, engage, and contribute. It's expected on most web 2.0 sites, and evidently campaign web sites now too.
------------------------------------------------------
Candidate: John Edwards
Web Site: www.JohnEdwards.com
Blog: http://blog.johnedwards.com
Web 2.0: Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, 43Things, Del.icio.us, Essembly, Gather, PartyBuilder, Ning, Metacafe, Revver, Yahoo! 360°, Blip.tv, CHBN, vSocial, Tagworld, CollectiveX, Bebo, Care2, Hi5, Xanga, LiveJournal
First Impressions:
My first impression is that JohnEdwards.com has some strange colours for a Presidential candidate web site. It's not gross, or totally unattractive, but the use of green, earth tones and maroon seem misplaced. This would make a nice colour scheme for garden site. It looks modern, and has a similar navigation structure to the Hillary site. Calls to action, banner for merchandise store, banner for social tools, and you can even join a campaign road trip.
Edwards does have a nice home page element that scrolls through photos with messages - with links to related material. At the time I was looking, the sequence had a sepia photo of Martin Luther King, Jr that slowly pans in to his face... an extremely powerful image. He also uses the Ken Burns technique in other static banners on the tops of various pages - it's a nice, subtle bit of action that I haven't seen much before, and it adds a little style to an otherwise safe site design-wise.
Edwards message seems to be for what he calls One America. His supporters are the "One Corps" and he's on a road trip for "One America". According to the top of his web site, he's also on a campaign to change America, and he wants you to join it.
Ease of Navigation:
Test 1: I want to give you money - how easy is it to donate?
-- There are several links on the home page to the contribution form, and they are differentiated by colour. Blue as opposed to maroon in the top nav bar, but it doesn't jump out at you. Maybe a good thing? Regardless, if you want to give money, you'll find the page no problem.
Test 2: I want to buy a campaign hat - how easy is it to get one?
-- 5 clicks to get a hat and check out to the credit card form. On the lame side, you can only get one kind of hat - mesh-back, 80's style, it looks like.
Test 3: I'm from Alachua County in Florida and I want to participate - how easy is it to find an event in my community?
-- It took some looking - there's an Events section, but it only listed some events of South Carolina. Eventually I made it to the One Corps/Volunteer area where you can plug in a zip code and - presto! Three events within a hundred miles. For bonus points, it also lists all the local One Corps Chapters, by distance away. There's two Gainesville chapters within three miles of the zip code I entered, and beyond that, it's the "Palatkians for Edwards", 35 miles away in Palatka.
Tools for the Cause
John Edwards is the Democratic winner for social networking and web 2.0-ness. At least by the number of sites he has profiles on. I found 22. Is it possible the next President will be a member of Bebo? Or Xanga? If John Edwards wins, then yes.
Of course supporters can use all these sites to further promote and share the cause. Besides these web sites/tools, the Edwards campaign has the previously mentioned One Corps. This is essentially his own, Edwards branded social network within the campaign web site. Supporters can get their own Dashboard, blog, grassroots fundraising page, etc.
It's debatable if he went overboard, but no one can question he has embraced these free and available technologies and is empowering his supporters.
Interesting Insights, Fascinating Facts
-- From what I've seen on television, the Edwards web presence seems to pretty closely mimic the reported television and print campaigns. There is obviously a great deal of coordination between his online and offline strategies, more so than was apparent on Hillary's web site. This may be him staying on message, or not changing his message, or simply the quick reaction time by all his communication elements. Or perhaps it's because he's been playing the "high road" card with recent candidate squabbling, so he's just moving forward.
-- 5,546 photos on his Flickr Profile, and he (or someone) has taken the time to fill out the Flickr profile page - (a missed opportunity by Hillary's team)
Multimedia
John Edwards loves multimedia. He puts Hillary's video playlist to shame with 260 videos on site (334 on YouTube). He's got radio ads, podcasts, and web site/blog badges to proclaim your support. He's also got an embedded Flickr photo gallery with a link to his extensive photo galleries.
Edwards also practices what he preaches, so I'm making a special mention. He's sharing his photos with Creative Commons licenses so others can also use and share them, with proper credit. I don't know how many of his 5K + photos can be used, but I saw quite a few that could. Kudos to Edwards for talking the web 2.0 talk, and then walking the walk. He also has a "technical glossary of terms" so if you don't know what a podcast is, you can find out, and then download one. At least he's making an attempt to educate his supporters about the tools he's providing.
Photo by Jonathan Walczak.
Overall Impressions
Overall, I'd say the site lacks a little in style and design. They are marketing a possible future President. Having said that, I think John Edwards is going for the image of "solid, middle of the road" to some degree, so muted earth tones is in keeping with that. Edwards, and his campaign, have gone big on social networking, and I think this is to some degree a double-edged sword. He's out there - everywhere, apparently - and it seems a little desperate. A tactic of the third-place candidate.
He could probably have the same effectiveness and reach with say 12 - 15 sites as opposed to 22. This is evidenced by his "Ning" page. There's a dead link on the Edwards web site to his Ning "white label" social network, and when I searched Ning, I found a few "unofficial" networks... so that experience was useless. Why have a Ning social network anyway when you have your own One Corps. And MySpace, and Facebook, etc. It's just too much. His hi5 page has 32 friends. What's the point?
And having said that... can it hurt? Who cares if I, or anyone else thinks it's too much. He probably won't lose a vote because he's everywhere on the web, and you never know where a potential voter will find you.
------------------------------------------------------
Candidate: Barack Obama
Web Site: www.BarackObama.com
Blog: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog
Web 2.0: Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, BlackPlanet, LinkedIn
First Impressions:
First impression - pretty stylish. Soft blue background with a smoky glow highlighting the content. Very clean and attractive.
Lots of cool icons and graphics - customized for every demographic. Each state campaign headquarters has a custom Obama icon worked into the fonts - and in the People section, each of the his supporters has their own custom logo like the Kids and Americans Abroad and Environmentalists.
This site is also resource heavy, and you can learn about his take on 20 issues, and a section where you can Know the Facts. Right now you can know the facts about his religion, and his patriotism. Mr. Obama is using this an effective counter to what seems to be mostly internet slander and rumours suggesting various bizarre notions. Nonetheless, you must respond to these types of stories, which he's done in a classy way without bringing extra attention, and the sensible people can move on with our lives.
At this point, Obama is winning on looks alone.
Ease of Navigation:
Test 1: I want to give you money - how easy is it to donate?
-- Big red Donate Now button top right - hard to miss, but not off-putting. Added bonus: They have an inspirational video embedded right on the donation form page, so you can watch and listen while you fill out your credit card info. Maybe with "yes we can!" chanting in the background you're more likely to open up your wallet? Only Barack will know.
Test 2: I want to buy a campaign hat - how easy is it to get one?
-- Four clicks to the checkout page - two styles of hats. Not as lame as Edwards, but no Hillary when it comes to hats.
Test 3: I'm from Alachua County in Florida and I want to participate - how easy is it to find an event in my community?
-- Easiest of all. Click Find an Event on the home page, and then enter your zip code. Two clicks in total from home to locate 19 events within 100 miles. Added Bonus: A Yahoo! Map with event location placemarks and more info. You can also click to Attend an Event. This feature is probably on the other sites, but wasn't as obvious as it was here.
Tools for the Cause
Barack Obamas web site has an abundance of tools for supporters to take advantage of. The My Barack section has an attractive dashboard where you can link up with friends, your community, start a blog. All the bells and whistles of a social network. He's also on Facebook, MySpace, BlackPlanet and LinkedIn. He's out there social networking with the rest of the candidates, just not to Edwardian proportions.
Interesting Insights, Fascinating Facts
-- Obamas site is Powered by Hope!
-- The man can brand: Get your Obama Mobile Screensavers! Get your Barack Ringtones! Get your Obama Widgets!
Multimedia
If four different mobile screensavers and six ringtones aren't impressive enough, the Obama Team knows how to push content. Here are some numbers: 528 YouTube Channel Videos, 13,820 Flickr photos, 18 Buddy Icons. You can even download Obama posters. And within his site, you can find even more videos on Barack TV. It's divided into 13 sub-channels, and also has Supporter Created videos.
Like Edwards, I found Creative Commons licensed photos in Obamas Flickr pages. Again, I think this demonstrates an understanding of the tools, and makes him seem more authentic. The risk is people will use these pictures for evil, but I think those types would find an image anyway. If I was a supporter, and could use an "official" photo on my blog, creative piece, whatever, I'd get a thrill out of that.
Photo by barackobamadotcom
Overall Impressions
The message I see Barack giving on television seems to be translating nicely to his web site, in both style an substance. Change, hope, youth - all elements of his speeches and interviews come through with his design and content.
His site is my choice for the most visually appealing site of the Democrats, and he (his team) have proven to be effective at branding without going into the realm of gimmicky. I've been impressed with their efforts. How hard is to create some Buddy Icons? It's not. It probably took a volunteer an hour, and if people use them great. They're now branding on your behalf. It's a smart strategy.
------------------------------------------------------
Retired Candidate: Dennis Kucinich
Web Site: www.Dennis4President.com
Sadly, the Kucinich campaign couldn't hold out long enough to make this post. I know Mr. Kucinich had been ignored and excluded from various national televised debates, and that was Not going to happen here. I talking to you Wolf Blizter and General Electric.
I will do my part to try and help him recoup some of the costs of his campaign by pointing out that the Dennis 4 President Store is having a Huge Sale! 50% off all campaign merchandise!
Get a hat for half price! Get a Doggie Scarf for next to nothing!
You can even buy a Palm Beach County Voting Machine that was "used in Election 2000 containing actual chads, a replica butterfly ballot, plus a bonus letter "The Stolen Presidential Election of 2000" personally signed by Dennis Kucinich." Was $219.95 plus shipping and handling, now only $109.98.
This must-have item was for sale in his online store long before he bowed out. If this is the "YouTube Election", I guess Kucinich was the eBay Candidate.
Results and conclusions, to follow.
Next up is the Republicans.
---
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
