ANALYZING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAS WEBSITE
The websites purpose is to inform those who come across it more about the national museum of Australia. It gives information to its users about the structure, location and the collections found in the museum and in case of any new arrivals the users of the website are notified. The website has also used a variety of colors which include red, blue, yellow, green and purple among others in order to create an a appealing picture so that anybody who comes across it is attracted by the colors and thus ends up reading the information it contains. The homepage of the website also has links which can lead its users to the other pages containing the other details.
The website has a variety of audiences which include tourists from other countries who would visit the website to find out whether the museums collection has items that will interest them before they visit it. There are also maps and directions to guide them to the museum. Secondly, students and educators in arts such as history and geography could visit the website since the content of the museum is relevant to them. There is information on the collection as well as for research. Kids are also audiences to the website and hence the simplicity of the language used in it. There is information for the kids and their parents on the kids page.
One can know the audiences according to the display of the website, colors used and the links provided. For example from the link labeled kids we can deduce that parents and kids are users of this website.
The information is well presented because first of all as was stated earlier there is a use of a variety of colors and links which are used to navigate through the website. In addition there is the use of other communication techniques which include diagrams such as maps. In the visit page after clicking the visiting the museum link one gets the map and the directions on how one get to the museum. Images are also used in the website. For example in the home page there is a picture of the museum which shows that the museums structure has different shapes. This could lead to many people wanting to visit the museum to have a look at it. The language used in the website is simple English which can be understood by all the audiences.
The website has a number of benefits. Due to the links provided the work of the readers is made easy since they can navigate easily and get the information they need quickly. The use of the website is interesting due to the images and colors used. When using the website one would also get a lot of information without necessarily reading a lot of literature by using the pictures.
Some of the website users would object to the fact that not all the items in the collection are accessible to them online. However this should not be made known to the website users. They should only discover for themselves after visiting the museums collection that there are some new items they had not viewed online. They therefore have the urge to visit the museum more often.
The National Museum of Australia is a famous organization or facility which has a good reputation and therefore more people are likely to use the website. In this information age it is also clear that many people in the society are technologically informed and they can therefore access the website without problems. They can use the links to lead them from one page to the next. In case a web user requires amore refined search there is a provision for this. He or she can type want he wants to search.
According to Peacock (2002) web log analysis can be used to understand the experiences of the web users in order to gauge the effectiveness of the website. This information can be used to understand the weaknesses and strengths of the website in a view to improve the website. It can be used to show how many users were able to use the web well and those who failed. He continues to state that qualitative analysis is used to measure whether the customers are satisfied with the performance of the website or not. If the customers are not satisfied the comments they provide go a long way in assisting in making improvements on the website.
The website for the national museum of Australia is effective since it has been in operation since1995. The museum has been using the digital technology since its inception .It is technologically advanced and has radio broadcasting and a television. The radio facility helps in the production of webcast information. This is a benefit because the users of the website know that it is credible because it has survived to this far. This is also a benefit since there is a lot information available to the web users to fit their divergent needs.
Another consideration that is important to be made on gauging the effectiveness of a website is its usability. This deals with the issues of motivations and needs of the users. This is always important in pointing out whether the customers are satisfied with the effectiveness of the website. Sterne (2001) provides some ways that can be used in measuring the effectiveness of websites. Inan (2002) also does the same. They both feel that if the web users cannot be able to use the website on their own it is therefore not an effective one.
Hein (1998), states that there are some usability tests that can be used to show how often and in what manner the people interact with the computer. This enables in the improvement of the website because if the website users cannot navigate freely within the website there is a problem. The links should be revised to enhance quick access in the website. A website should meet the needs of its users or else they may never visit it again. Falk and Dierking (1992), state that the website users are looking for some information which should be in the website.
Teather (1998) states that though user studies are expensive they should be conducted in order to ensure that the views of the website users are featured in it and thus enhancing its effectiveness.
In a concluding remark the internet has enabled the museum users a number of means or ways to get information about the National Museum of Australia website. However it is important to be able to evaluate the usefulness of the website in order to ensure that the website meets the users needs.
Web log information is one important tool to do this evaluation. However it has its own limitations that should be borne in mind. There are other means or ways. This evaluation is done to ensure that the website conforms or changes in relation to the dynamic user needs. Technological advancements may not be enough without ensuring that the information contained in the website is up to date easily accessible and free from any interference. It is in view of these points that I come to a conclusion that the National Museum of Australias website is effective. However this is achieved through the hard work of the staff in the organization that should be recommended for their efforts. They should continue with their good works.
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