It is very important to catch the audience’s eye in the initial glance of a web site.  Looking at both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama’s presidential websites, I was able to compare and contrast the two and see which one was more visually pleasing, user friendly and appeared to be most credible.

Throughout my research I was able to compare and contrast the content on each political web site of Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, focusing on form, content, and writing style.  Then I focused in on the web sites structure and design to find out if it was helpful in search of political information. My initial reaction while browsing through both Clinton and Obama’s web page was surprising.  I was surprised because I am not familiar with politics online and noticed that both sites were set up very similar; both user friendly from the start and the design was very square, bold and simple.  Clinton and Obama both had big bold tabs up top where you can click on where you want to be directed.  Both sites used the American colors of red, white and blue and had everything simplified for its audience.

Form and Content

Surprisingly again, the content of both websites is similar in that the focus is on making contributions and up to date information on the standings of each political leader in each state.  Both sites list where the race is at thus far between the democratic candidates.  While dissecting Clinton’s page, I noticed that she has, in order of importantance, issues that she would like to step in as a leader and take charge of such as:  strengthening the middle class, providing affordable and accessible health care, ending the war in Iraq, improving our schools, etc.  While reading these key issues that need to be resolved in America, I felt that Clinton’s committee who designed this web page did an excellent job of presenting these issues and organizing them.  Obama’s form and content is also strong like Clinton’s and focuses in on important issues; however Obama has his issues of concern in a different order of importance.  Obama mentions civil rights, disabilities, economy, education, energy and environment, ethics, faith, family, fiscal, foreign policy, healthcare, etc. Although on these sites it does not say that these are in order of importance, as an audience member I would assume that they may be organized in such a matter.

Writing Style

Both Clinton and Obama’s writing style is easy to read and comfortable in a sense that the average American can relate to it.  To be honest, I was most impressed with Barack Obama’s writing style on key issues because he always starts with an inspirational quote and then he stated the current problem in bold first, following with his plan of action in detail listed second.  Clinton’s was written in paragraph form on how she will lead this nation to solve the problem within that particular issue.  I preferred Obama’s method because he made it easy to follow and read in a way of listing and his quotes were thoughtful and to the heart and it is the first thing that the reader reads before continuing on with his lecture on changing the future.

Structure of Information

The structure of both sites I found extremely helpful and easily accessible.  On each page, there are options to easily re-direct you to another page that may be of interest to the audience.  Plus, as an audience member I felt that I was in the loop with the constant updates on each politician’s current involvement.  Also, they have the other communities that you can get involved with like facebook and MySpace, UTube, Flicker, etc. in case you would like to follow up in a more fun and friendly manner.  Some prefer communities like this where they can post comments on politician’s pages, especially the younger generations.  I feel that the structure of both Obama and Clinton’s web design appeals to all audience types and gives the audience plenty of options to choose form in becoming more involved and part of the campaigning process.  Again, both web designs are set up in a way that makes it easy to navigate and successfully find the information needed. 

Hillary for President. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

Obama ‘08. http://www.barackobama.com/index.php