Critical assessment: newseum.org

Newseum’s website is one of the finest websites around. The ticket page on the website very clearly states the specifications and the prices of tickets for different categories of visitors. The biggest incentive for visitors buying tickets online is the 10% discount that Newseum offers- ‘Purchase tickets online and receive a 10% discount.’ The annual membership schemes have also been advertised on this page. The simple and uncluttered layout of the website gives it a flow while the colours used primarily are white and blue which add to the lucidity of the site.

There is a page called ‘Shop Online’ which works on the format of e-commerce sites. One can view the items on sale and load them onto a cart and go ahead with online shopping. The items available in the Newseum have been neatly classified into categories like Clothing and accessories, books, gifts, mugs and drinkware, music and DVDs, posters and prints, toys and games etc. There are also broad themes of products like Elvis Presley, Clearance, First Amendment, Journalism, Presidents and Politics etc. Classifying the items into categories and themes ensures that a potential buyer doesn’t get confused and can go through the entire shopping process effortlessly.

Most of the products available at the online Shoppe are souvenirs that one would like to take home after visiting the Newseum. For example: DVD – A Glimpse of Life: The Pulitzer Photographs or “Trust me…I’m a reporter” coffee mug. People visiting the site to gather information or ticket details may not be interested. But it certainly is a useful tool for the ones who have visited Newseum. They might have missed out on the souvenirs then or might just go for it for the sheer convenience of buying things online.

On the other hand, selling tickets online is the most convenient way to go about it as most of the people would like to buy tickets without much hassle as and when they are surfing the site. Also, the elaborate information available on the website about the various exhibits and shows in the Newseum provides visitors ease of choice. Newseum.org is a very effective website and reaches out to its audience well. It stands out on the basis of the simplicity of layout and flow of information.

REVIEW: metmuseum.org (THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK)

The MET is one of the world’s most well-respected and recognized museums containing art work that spans across several time periods and from various global cultures. For over a century now, it has successfully managed to preserve and encourage historically crucial artwork.

Apart from being a cyber showcase of some of their striking exhibits, the user-friendly website for MET is being used as an e-commerce and merchandising medium. Through tickets, membership cards, online shopping etc, the MET website is helping publicize the museum, increase profits and the number of visitors by making the process more convenient for the customer.

The MET website allows for visitors to purchase their tickets online. Via a unique feature called the ‘ticketweb’, visitors can search for exhibits, talks, seminars and concerts. Multiple options such as tickets for adults or children, audio tours and group visits are available. A visitor can select a preferred option, pay online and simply collect their tickets from the museum counter on the visiting day, thereby completely avoiding the need to stand in long queues.

The MET online art store, another excellent marketing strategy, could well be a haven for any art lover or curator. It allows customers to purchase books, sculptures, wall art, calendars, etc – some of them being limited edition pieces, which can even be later customized by the user. From special sales, discounts, e-gift certificates, the website brings the museum into the very home of customer.

The website also allows visitors to apply for membership cards. One of its most interesting features is the provision for visitors to donate amounts online above $25. It provides options and information to corporate houses and trusts that wish to sponsor, donate or host exhibits. This is a wonderful way to gather funds and popularize the museum showcases.

From being user-friendly, convenient, attractive and interactive – the MET website is an excellent medium for marketing the museum. Its effectiveness lies in the fact that it reaches out to an audience world-wide and can make them involved in the process. Be it students, teachers, curators; the site has correctly managed to identify its target audience and provides them the necessary information and incentives. Through easy, accessible ways it can raise funds, seek donations from across the globe and allow people to purchase artifacts from straight within the museum.

By the very look of it, one can make out that the website tries to portray a theme that involves educating and creating awareness amongst the audience in a very new-age interactive manner. With use of new media tools like Facebook and Twitter, the MET is keeping up with the new digitalized world and providing its audience with options that were unfathomable before.