“Explore three of your favourite websites (any sites you are interested in) on your mobile device and compare and contrast their functionality and the ways that they provide access to social tools. For each site list features that you consider provide a good mobile experience, and suggest any improvements that could be made. 400 words.”
Buzzfeed
Buzzfeed is a digital media company built for the collaboration and sharing of pop culture content.
Functionality:
- The layout is optimized for mobile devices, with catchy headlines and thumbnails to catch the interest of mobile users quickly.
- Members (free to sign up) of the Buzzfeed Community can create and submit their own content in the hope of it being published on the site. Buzzfeed has gamified this process with a tally board showing Buzzfeed’s “top contributors”
- Members can comment on and rate posts. All content can be automatically shared to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter (X), via email or generate a hyperlink.
- A mobile app is available, and the website will prompt users to open the app for a better viewing experience.
The Guardian
The Guardian is an independently owned newspaper with half its revenue obtained from millions of digital supporters across 180 countries, which allows the website to be viewed for free (Guardian, 2023).
Functionality:
- The website automatically directs me to Guardian Australia and displays country-specific content first.
- Options to share articles on Facebook, Twitter (X) or through email, reflecting the user demographic who are considered mature, well-educated and affluent (Guardian, n.d.).
- Option to sign up for specific e-news based on preference – political, sport, lifestyle.
Improvements:
Source: The Guardian
I find the constant prompts to log into the site so they can tailor articles to me or become a financial donor of the Guardian frustrating as the message covers the article text. Although you can close the prompt, I regularly close the website in frustration.
Libraries Tasmania (LT)
As part of the Department for Children, Educational and Young People, the LT website is primarily an information tool with barely any opportunity for collaboration or interaction between users.
Functionality:
- Users can choose the language they wish to view the site in.
- Condensed menus and tiles are listed vertically for easy viewing (no need to scroll left to right).
- Compatible with screen reading software for accessibility
- The most important tabs are at the top of the page – search the catalogue, my account, menu, and links to library locations.
- Some catalogue records include a reviews tab, which pulls from the Library Thing website rather than Libraries Tasmania member reviews.
Improvements:
When viewing catalogue records, a button to share directly to a client’s social media account would allow easier promotion of collection items.
(386 words).
References
Buzzfeed, Inc. (2023). About Buzzfeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/about?edition=au
Guardian. (n.d.) The guardian and observer reader profile. https://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2012/08/22/Printreaderprofile.pdf
Guardian. (2023). About us. https://www.theguardian.com/about
Libraries Tasmania. (n.d.) About us. http://www.libraries.tas.gov.au
I think the way you’ve laid out this post is creative and thoughtful, providing the information in a readable form. Thanks for sharing!