Hui's JOMC221 Journal

===http://www.greyhound.com===

1) How does it identify its publics?

This Web site identifies customers from different countries (Mexico, the USA and Canada) by using icons of national flags. It seems very intuitive. The site identifies, in English only, Web pages for English and French speakers.

The site makes much of Macromedia Flash Player, and offers a link to a download Web site. So, this shows consideration for the public that still uses older software. The slowest dial-up modem can load this page fast. Where is the Flash presentation? I do not know.

Yet, the site has no bus on it and relies on the greyhound logo to assure the users that they are on the right Web page. It looks too stark to me.

2) How does it serve those publics?

I chose the English Canada site. It looks spare just like the referring top page. Users are identified further with links for discount travelers, information seekers, and those who wish to contact the company.

Unfortunately, the FAQ link is presented without a context. Does it have information on package deliveries or package tours? In fact, it is a long list of links in an unorganized list.

I imagine that most visitors know what information they want and hope to navigate quickly to it. Other visitors may be more likely to click on the advertisements and promotions. Those serve as a distraction for the first group. The Web site caters to two groups and the information architecture reaches an effective balance. On the other hand, travelers who just want to browse see tempting photos that lead to nothing; in fact, they are mislabeled.

3) How does it encourage repeat visits?

Sorry, no, it does not encourage repeat visits. Ticket selling is a simple transaction on an as-needed basis. The site does not have any ‘Destination of the Month’ or much else to attract browsers.

4) How does it serve specifically the press and news media?

http://www.greyhound.ca/en/company/news/media.shtml is the site that presents links to various media links. It seems complete, if not friendly. The offer seems to be come-and-get-it to those seeking information. They would have done better to organize their press releases on this page, which is already three clicks past the top page.

5) What information is offered? How?

Corporate and financial news releases and parent company information are available. There are many contact telephone numbers and addresses. It is all friendly, but presented in a clumsy way.

===http://www.viarail.ca/===

1) How does it identify its publics?

The top page makes a point of having speakers of eight languages addressed. Too bad for me that the Chinese site was offline.

This site is almost as simple as the Greyhound one, but offers some interesting motion graphics to those who have the browser plug in. Is it Flash or Shockwave? Who cares? None of the graphics are clickable.

2) How does it serve those publics?

Travel Web sites must present a large volume of information in an easily-to-navigate way. This one does. After getting past the fancy top page, it was easy to navigate to most information with just one click. This Web site uses an intuitive index-card motif. Unfortunately, the tabs were ugly, and the colors too earthy and without contrast.

It also has lots of tourist information and was an enjoyable time sinkhole for me. I lost 20 minutes here.

3) How does it encourage repeat visits?

The content is often time-stamped and looks fresh. Browsers are encouraged to return with the prospects of new reviews and bargains. In fact, the Via Rail Destinations magazine page offers a newsletter. That is a smart thing to do because, unless people are hunting for specific information, a travel site is not a swinging Internet location. There is even a contest page.

4) How does it serve specifically the press and news media?

This site has an organized list and catalog of press releases. Again, it has a ‘Information Newsletter’ which is probably the same one that tourists receive. It may be a media-friendly one.

5) What information is offered? How?

Tourist, corporate, investor and recruitment information is offered. It is all organized very well with links and PDF files.

===http://www.united.com/===

1) How does it identify its publics?

There is a very small link to its international sites. United seems to have designed its homepage for the benefit of two main groups: frequent fliers and ticket buyers.

2) How does it serve those publics?

Two-thirds of the front page is devoted to flights and ticket offers. The remainder is for Mileage Plus members.

3) How does it encourage repeat visits?

It does not; however, there is a ‘remember me’ check box for Mileage Plus members. Even if United offers special deals, there does not seem to be any newsletter available on the Home page (There is one! It is just not on the front page for signing up.)

4) How does it serve specifically the press and news media?

There is a link to United Airlines press releases.

5) What information is offered? How?

There is information for shareholders, customers and employees. It is all presented in a chronological list, including an archive. The ‘Contact United’ link is very small, but the page itself is well organized and includes contact information for all three of those target groups.