Evaluation of Save The Children Website - Essay Example

[Lecturer] Evaluation of Save The Children Website (www.savethechidlren.org) One may argue that the purpose of awebsite is to convey the corporate mission, identity or even message of the organization putting up such a website, regardless of whether the organization is a non governmental entity or commercial enterprise. Within the analysis of the Save The Children website the plight of the children in need should be placed at the center of the websites message and structure. By analyzing the layout and functionality of the above mentioned website it can be seen as adequate in providing a pleasing interface for the viewer thereof. The landing page provides sufficient navigation options in its top level navigation menu, specifically that of the About Us, Donate, Sponsor, Gifts and so forth. Four main key areas are further highlighted within the main view or so called "above the fold", namely that of the Donate Now, Become A Sponsor, Join the Campaign, and Take Action respectively, with the balance of the landing page, and below the fold, providing both the latest news and developments as well as reporting upon the latest results and achievements of the organization and their efforts within this field. Specifically from a functional perspective the site seems adequate enough to enable the site visitor to navigate to any desired area in seeking information about the organization, the efforts within which they are active as well as areas where they, the site visitor, may become involved in. Specific to the subject of trafficking, and where children are exploited and exposed to this activity, there is no immediate reference provided within any of the main menu items on the landing page. Only upon searching, via the search functionality of the site that trafficking is returned within these search results. Therefore the issue of trafficking is not highlighted and does not seem to be prioritized within this website. The organization of Save the Children and the very name itself lends to the description and explanation of what the organization does and its respective efforts specifically to help children, however as previously mentioned the aspect of trafficking is not described or stated anywhere that is easily accessible from the landing page. The fact that this area is, for all intensive purposes missing from the front page suggests that the issue of trafficking is not that high on the list of priorities of this specific organization. Suggestions in educating the visitor to this website would be to include a featured item, within their main page regarding this global phenomenon. Educational aspects could be incorporated within the main visual presentation area, highlighting the effects upon children caused by trafficking. Such visual representation can have far reaching impacts upon the visitor if conducted correctly, and could really illustrate the current situation that is happening on a daily basis. Graphic and visual representation of the children caught up within this heinous activity may further prove to be somewhat disturbing to an online audience, which therefore needs to be kept in mind, in the extent to which photographs and images are published. The current layout and use of visual aids for the site in question is sufficient in highlighting the needs of the children, but as previously stated the human trafficking is not prominent, and does not appear as a significant priority to their efforts. Specific statistics, in lieu of too graphic pictures could be used to highlight the current situation, so that people visiting the site may gain a better understanding of what is really going on. One has to take into account or at the very least establish how hard hitting such a campaign maybe, as one would want to appeal to the values of site visitors, and essentially not drive them away from the site due to harsh visual aids, or statistics. The current use of the menu items, previously mentioned and specifically that of "Become a Sponsor" and "Take Action" make good use of appealing to the values of the reader, in that their addition of Make a Difference and Ways you can help respectively, appeal directly the morals and call for help in specific areas, where the reader may become involved in the mission of save the children. The use of current visual aids, and specifically pertaining the images of the children, highlights the current projects, inclusive of the children that have been helped via this organization. There is however the trafficking element that is missing from the front page of this website. This aspect further confirms that the trafficking issue is not a prioritized activity for this specific website. If one compares this site and that of The Protection Project (www.protectionproject.org), one will notice a significant number of articles (or content) that is specifically referenced towards the trafficking issue at hand. The website by virtue of its featured menu items, directly below the images has a strong call to action, specifically to those areas that the organization is prioritizing. These include the donation perspectives of the readers, the sponsorships of children in various parts of the world. Based upon the fact that this type of organization largely relies upon donations and support from government bodies, the need for such donations and support must be prioritized to the website visitor, which in this instance seems to be adequate, but does not address the trafficking issue. There is no doubt that the website in question, being that of Save The Children (www.savethechildren.org), provides a functional and well structured website and visitor experience. The priorities of the organization are highlighted within the landing page, and significant menu navigation to the entire site is easily accessible via the top level navigation bar. These menu items lead to the entire site and allow for easy access to the various areas of concern. In addition to this aspect and just below the featured image component, the design and layout of the site provide emphasis upon the focus area of the organization, specifically pertaining to much needed support via external involvement and donations. However, specific to the issue of human trafficking a more graphic approach may well have more of an impact upon the visiting public. One of the main problems here though is the use of graphic images may prove to drive away visitors due to the shocking nature thereof, which would for all intensive purposes defeat the object of the exercise. Another additional problem may be realized by the fact that the protection of minors is often emphasized and the use of these graphic images may well be disallowed under current legal framework and policies for relevant countries, where applicable. The main issue here that needs consideration is the social marketing aspect of the trafficking phenomenon and current statistics. A more prominent option upon the landing page should be provided, together with a warning of the possible graphic nature of the section in question, this is due to the fact that it will be doubtful that any visitor to the site, unless specifically wanting to seek out information on trafficking, will be able to come across any specific information on the issue of trafficking unless they specifically search for it through the mentioned search functionality. References Save The Children (Online). Save The Children Website. Accessed online on November 6th 2009 via http://www.savethechildren.org/ Read More