Viriginia Republican Party Website Analysis
In reviewing the website of the Virginia Republican Party there have been changes since I last looked at the site. The welcome message is now much friendlier to those who are not politically active. It also imbues a tone of educating the public rather than toting the party line. Offering links to other websites was smart and carries the tone of informing and educating the browser to what the Republican Party stands for and what it means to the person.
In reading the welcome message from the party chair the only thing that it failed to do was resonate to the user about the state of Virginia. It touted what it meant to be a Republican and what the party stands for, which is great on the national level. This message should have been tailored to be more about what does it mean to be Republican in the state of Virginia and how issues that matter to them affect them on a state-wide level. I’m sure President Bush is doing a great job nationally, but what is he and the Republican Party doing for Virginia. Voters think this way and will vote this way-n how it will affect me. Their world is not global, national, or even state-wide. It is things that are in their direct vicinity and path that should be brought up such as jobs, healthcare, and education.
One thing that the website should do which the Virginia Democratic Party is stop focusing on the party chair and to focus on the Republican Candidate for Governor. They treat Kilgore as an afterthought rather than putting the focus on him right now. If the focus of the state party is to keep power and maintain power than they should educate the public about whom the Republican candidate is. The website needs to be another strong arm in the gubernatorial race, lavish plenty of pictures of rallies with supporters with other VA Republicans and other recognizable politicians.
Both of Virginia’s senators in the U.S. Senate are Republicans and we need to have them involved in the website as well. Have them write up testimonials about what it means to be Republican and what they are doing for Virginians.
The Agenda on the website is misleading to those who want to know exactly what the Virginia Republican Party is going to do for the state it instead has links to the events, contributions, and joining the party. This is dangerous since we have not given the user any reason or incentive to join in the first place. This will only annoy the user since they will think that this is an actual agenda of the party.
Also the sight neglects to inform the user of their impact on the races that are going on. The website states what races are going on in the state, but it does nothing to motivate the user into becoming involved in these races. It simply directs them to the direct site. Understandably the most effective place of those who want to volunteer would be in direct contact with the campaign, but what if they want to volunteer through the party on these specific campaigns. The site should offer this.
The site contains a lot of information, but is not organized in an aesthetically pleasing manner. It seems to busy or to cluttered in many places and even repetitive. The message of the party should be instantaneous and easy to follow. The website currently just has so much information without a clear message or even agenda posted for users to see.
This website is such an important front in Virginia politics. It needs to be working with everything else not independently of everything else. This lack of synergy could cost the Virginia Republican Party dearly if they appear apathetic to the concerns of the voter.
In reading the welcome message from the party chair the only thing that it failed to do was resonate to the user about the state of Virginia. It touted what it meant to be a Republican and what the party stands for, which is great on the national level. This message should have been tailored to be more about what does it mean to be Republican in the state of Virginia and how issues that matter to them affect them on a state-wide level. I’m sure President Bush is doing a great job nationally, but what is he and the Republican Party doing for Virginia. Voters think this way and will vote this way-n how it will affect me. Their world is not global, national, or even state-wide. It is things that are in their direct vicinity and path that should be brought up such as jobs, healthcare, and education.
One thing that the website should do which the Virginia Democratic Party is stop focusing on the party chair and to focus on the Republican Candidate for Governor. They treat Kilgore as an afterthought rather than putting the focus on him right now. If the focus of the state party is to keep power and maintain power than they should educate the public about whom the Republican candidate is. The website needs to be another strong arm in the gubernatorial race, lavish plenty of pictures of rallies with supporters with other VA Republicans and other recognizable politicians.
Both of Virginia’s senators in the U.S. Senate are Republicans and we need to have them involved in the website as well. Have them write up testimonials about what it means to be Republican and what they are doing for Virginians.
The Agenda on the website is misleading to those who want to know exactly what the Virginia Republican Party is going to do for the state it instead has links to the events, contributions, and joining the party. This is dangerous since we have not given the user any reason or incentive to join in the first place. This will only annoy the user since they will think that this is an actual agenda of the party.
Also the sight neglects to inform the user of their impact on the races that are going on. The website states what races are going on in the state, but it does nothing to motivate the user into becoming involved in these races. It simply directs them to the direct site. Understandably the most effective place of those who want to volunteer would be in direct contact with the campaign, but what if they want to volunteer through the party on these specific campaigns. The site should offer this.
The site contains a lot of information, but is not organized in an aesthetically pleasing manner. It seems to busy or to cluttered in many places and even repetitive. The message of the party should be instantaneous and easy to follow. The website currently just has so much information without a clear message or even agenda posted for users to see.
This website is such an important front in Virginia politics. It needs to be working with everything else not independently of everything else. This lack of synergy could cost the Virginia Republican Party dearly if they appear apathetic to the concerns of the voter.
