analysis of regional magazine websites

1. ANALYSIS OF
REGIONAL WEBSITES
By Georgia Hardy

2. The masthead is in a
bold font at the top of
the page which allows
the audience to easily
identify the name of the
website/magazine.
The page varies in
content, this will
appeal to the target
audience as it gives
them a wide range of
subjects to choose to
find out information on.
The main article has
been placed in the
middle of the page and
draws the most
attention. Therefore
this will be the first
article the audience
see.
The links to the social media accounts will
appeal to the target audience as it is another
platform for them to find out information on the
magazine. It also shows the younger target
audience that the magazine is modern.
A quiz allows the readers to become more
active and involved with the magazine.
This will appeal to the target audience
as the activity will engage their
interest in the magazine/website.
The most read and
comments section will be
appealing to the target
audience as it allows
them to see what their
peers enjoyed and may be
similar to their own
tastes. It also relates
to the uses and
gratifications theory of
‘personal relationships’
as the audience can
become part of a social
group by discussing the
articles with their
peers.
This leads to the
magazines digital
versions, which will
appeal to the target
audience as it shows the
magazine is modern as
digital versions are
becoming popular. The
deal of “£14.95 for 4
digital copies” will
also grab the attention
of the audience and
engage their interest in
the magazine.
The latest blogs section will appeal to the target
audience as it allows them to quickly access the
new content of the magazine. This relates to the
uses and gratifications theory of ‘surveillance’
as they’re gaining new information.
This shows the audience where they are able to
subscribe to the magazine. This will appeal to the
audience as it provides them with a quick an easy
way to access the magazine.

3. The masthead is in the boldest font
at the top of the page which allows
the audience to easily identify the
name of the website/ magazine.
This shows the audience where
they are able to subscribe to
the magazine. This will
appeal to the audience as it
provides them with a quick an
easy way to access the
magazine.
The search bar will appeal
to the target audience as
it allows them to find a
specific article in a quick
and simple way.
The widget section will appeal to the target audience as it allows the reader to find
more information about the magazine as well as allowing the audience to interact with
the magazine on several different platforms. This will particularly appeal to a younger
target audience as they are more than likely to have several social media accounts. It
also shows the target audience how the magazine is modern and ‘up to date’ with
technology.
This shows that the articles
on the website are varied.
This will again, appeal to the
target audience as it shows
the website has a wide range
of content. This also relates
to the Uses and Gratifications
theory of ‘surveillance’ as
the reader is able to gain
information by reading these
articles.
The website varies in content, which
will appeal to the target audience
as it covers a wide range of topics
and is therefore more interesting
for the reader.
The main article has
been placed in the
middle of the page and
draws the most
attention. Therefore
this will be the first
article the audience
see. This also includes
a competition, ‘win a
eight-day cruise with
Viking Cruises’. Which
makes the read more
involved in the magazine
as they believe they can
get something back from
this magazine/website.

4. The masthead is in
the top left corner
of the page which
makes it easily
identifiable to the
audience.
The widget section will appeal to the target audience as it allows the
reader to find more information about the magazine as well as allowing the
audience to interact with the magazine on several different platforms. This
will particularly appeal to a younger target audience as they are more than
likely to have several social media accounts. It also shows the target
audience how the magazine is modern and ‘up to date’ with technology.
The readers are able to
make their own personal
accounts. This will
appeal to the target
audience as it allows
them to become closer
to the product. This
relates to the Uses and
Gratifications theory
as it creates a
personal relationship
with the audience.
Time Out is a free
magazine and therefore
generates its income
in other ways. This
adverts is one of the
magazines source’s of
income.
The website varies
in content, which
will appeal to the
target audience as
it covers a wide
range of topics and
is therefore more
interesting for the
reader.
The main section of
the website has the
most important/
popular article. It
is the biggest image
on the page which
will grab the
reader. The sub
heading “London’s
best cupcakes” will
grab the audiences
attention with the
use of superlatives.
This shows that the articles on the website are varied. This will again, appeal to the
target audience as it shows the website has a wide range of content. This also relates to
the Uses and Gratifications theory of ‘surveillance’ as the reader is able to gain
information by reading these articles.

5. The masthead is in the top left corner
and the white text stands out against
the black background, this makes it
easily identifiable to the audience.
The magazine covers a wide range of content, this
will appeal to the target audience as it shows that
the magazine focuses on various subjects rather than
being restricted to just one.
The search bar will
appeal to the target
audience as it allows
them to find a specific
article in a quick and
simple way.
This shows the audience where they are
able to subscribe to the magazine. This
will appeal to the audience as it
provides them with a quick an easy way
to access the magazine.
Absolute is a free
magazine and therefore
advertising in both
their magazine and
website is their source
of income.
‘BREAKING’ directs
the reader to this
article. The article
is also paired with
a picture
underneath. This
makes a visual
connection between
image and article
for the reader. This
is also the main
article as it’s the
largest image and
its paired with the
heading ‘BREAKING’.
This shows that the
articles on the website
are varied. This will
again, appeal to the
target audience as it
shows the website has a
wide range of content.
This also relates to
the Uses and
Gratifications theory
of ‘surveillance’ as
the reader is able to
gain information by
reading these articles.
This section here shows the main articles and underneath there is a
small snippet of the article. This will lead to the reader being
more likely to click on the full article and read it all. Again this
relates to the Uses and Gratifications theory of ‘surveillance’ as
the reader is able to gain information by reading these articles.

6. Conclusion:
After researching into regional magazine websites I found that the
codes and conventions include:
 Masthead - Usually in the top left of the corner, making it
easily identifiable to the audience.
 Main Section – Where the most important article will be shown.
 Widget Section – So that the audience are able to view the
magazines social media sites.
 Advertisements – A source of the magazines income.
 Links – To link the audience to other pages, for example, to
digital versions of the magazine.
 Subscription – a button or link for the reader to subscribe to
the magazine, to make the magazine company money.