Websites Review: Model of Online Sport Communication (Research Paper Sample)

Model of Online Sport Communication
Student Name
Institution
Model of Online Sport Communication
This paper sets out to evaluate five selected sports websites through the Model of Online Sports Communication (MOSC) alongside other elements of a good sports site. Through this evaluation, the paper will determine whether the selected sites meet the needs of their consumers.
Web Analysis Form
Name of Sport Entity: Dallas Cowboys
League, Affiliate, or Association (if any): National Football League
I am accessing the web-site via a:
____________Wi-Fi connection _________________high speed connection (Cable/DSL/T1)
I am accessing the web-site via:
_______Internet Explorer _________Netscape _______Mozilla _______Mobile Media ______Other
1. Type in the name of the sport entity into the address bar in your web-browser. Does the web-site come up immediately? ___________Yes __________No
2. Search for the sport entity’s name using the following search engines and indicate whether the web-address appears within the first 3 results of the search.
Google __ _Yes _____No
Yahoo __ _Yes _____No
AOL ___ __Yes _____No
Excite _ __ Yes _____No
On a scale of 1 (poor); 2 (below average); 3 (average); 4 (above average) to 5 (excellent/superior) rate the web-site based on how well it meets/addresses the respective needs of the online sport consumer.
Branding
__5.__ Overall branding effort
__5.__ Consistent with franchise, league, or association colors
__5.__ Consistent with league or association image
__5.__ Links to league or association web-site
__5.__ Consistent “theme/design” throughout site
__5.__ Core values and messages are clear throughout the site
Performance/Fan Identification/Interaction
__5.__ Live Scoring/Feed
__5.__ Message Board/Blog (AD Blog)
__3.__ Live Chat
__5.__ Ability to “sign up” for email information (weekly newsletter, upcoming events, etc.)
__5.__ Ability to retrieve biographical information on players and coaches (readily available)
__5.__ Information on upcoming community/public appearances readily available
__4.__ Download a video clip, engage in a live chat, or download a podcast – rate the speed of the download
__5.__ Now, rate the quality of the information provided in the download
Commerce
__5.__ Information regarding ticket packages readily available
__5.__ Information regarding seating readily available
__5.__ Game schedule readily available
__4.__ Arena information (parking, handicap seating, maps, etc.) readily available
__5.__ Contact information readily available (phone numbers, emails, addresses, directories, etc.) No handicap Ability to email with questions or feedback readily available
__5.__ Ability to purchase single game tickets
__5.__ Ability to purchase season tickets
__5.__ Ability to purchase team merchandise
__5.__ Lack of pop-up ads
__5.__ Ads/Links to sponsors
Design
__3.__ Overall graphic appeal
__3.__ Attractiveness of color scheme
__3.__ Layout is graphically pleasing
__5.__ Web-site is easy to navigate
__5.__ Search tool available
__2.__ Navigation Bars Adequately Direct and Guide you to different areas on the site
Content
__5.__ Overall availability of information on the franchise
__3.__ Current news articles
__5.__ Quality of the information provided
__5.__ Franchise Background Information
__3.__ Current Statistics
__2.__ Links to Rules and Regulations
__5.__ Other Pertinent Information to you was readily available
Perceptions
__3.__ Your overall perception of the site
__3.__ Your overall rating of the site (based on all categories)
Usability
__4.__ Efficiency
__4.__ Learnability
__5.__ Memorability
__1.__ Errors
__3.__ Satisfaction
Model of Online Sports Communication
Individual level of involvement with team
The Cowboy’s official website (dallascowboys.com) is a communication platform with their followers. The site has 8 primary pages, each offering a service to the fans. It is expected that a high number of fans will visit the club website as they seek more information on the team. Motive for internet useThe Cowboys being among the top teams in the NFL implies that both supporters and opponents are highly likely to visit the website looking for any new development in the team that may affect the team’s performance. The website also has “Fans” and “Community” functions where the supports interact.
Content
The content on the site does not rank well as there is not a recent top story to attract traffic. The main article on their home page is an item on Brandon Carr on the team’s 2015 season. This lack of current or dynamic material implies a content deficiency of the website.Design
The website has implemented the team colors on all pages of the site. The team logo further enhances this scheme. Large images have been used to attract user attention. Every page has quick links to the top stories as well as links to the side gallery allowing the fans to stay easily updated. The team stadium is also used as the background image throughout the website. Performance
The Cowboys have an efficiently working site. Relevant information is readily available to the users. This information is available in different forms – video, text, and mailing.
Usability
The site is structured in a way that users can easily navigate from one page to another. The links at the top and bottom ends of pages also support easy navigation.
Commerce of site
The commercial function of the Cowboy’s site is supported by the “Tickets” and “Shop” features. Being a relatively well-performing team, their supporters can show their support through merchandise and ticket purchase on the website.
Implications and recommendations
The club runs a fairly interactive site. However, the shortcomings in current information or linking with other related sites makes the user experience incomplete.
The Cowboy ought to improve the user experience by the addition of links to the relevant authorities in NFL. Provision of basic game rules for new fans would also help cultivate the understanding of the team among its supporters. Above this, there ought to be a live support function that offers help and direction to users who are stuck. On the website or in any other relevant way.
Overall Ratings:
Content: __4.__ Design: __3.__ Performance: __4.__ Commerce: __4.__ Usability: __4.__
Other Ratings:
Branding: __5.__ Perception: __3.__
Total Rating: __4.__
Web Analysis Form
Name of Sport Entity: Texas Rangers
League, Affiliate, or Association (if any): Major League Baseball
I am accessing the web-site via a:
____________Wi-Fi connection _________________high speed connection (Cable/DSL/T1)
I am accessing the web-site via:
_______Internet Explorer _________Netscape _______Mozilla _______Mobile Media ______Other
1. Type in the name of the sport entity into the address bar in your web-browser. Does the web-site come up immediately? ___________Yes __________No
2. Search for the sport entity’s name using the following search engines and indicate whether the web-address appears within the first 3 results of the search.
Google __ _Yes _____No
Yahoo __ _Yes _____No
AOL ___ __Yes _____No
Excite _ __ Yes _____No
On a scale of 1 (poor); 2 (below average); 3 (average); 4 (above average) to 5 (excellent/superior) rate the web-site based on how well it meets/addresses the respective needs of the online sport consumer.
Branding
__5.__ Overall branding effort
__5.__ Consistent with franchise, league, or association colors
__5.__ Consistent with league or association image
__5.__ Links to league or association web-site
__5.__ Consistent “theme/design” throughout site
__5.__ Core values and messages are clear throughout the site
Performance/Fan Identification/Interaction
__5.__ Live Scoring/Feed
__5.__ Message Board/Blog (AD Blog)
__1.__ Live Chat
__5.__ Ability to “sign up” for email information (weekly newsletter, upcoming events, etc.)
__5.__ Ability to retrieve biographical information on players and coaches (readily available)
__5.__ Information on upcoming community/public appearances readily available
__5.__ Download a video clip, engage in a live chat, or download a podcast – rate the speed of the download
__5.__Now, rate the quality of the information provided in the download
Commerce
__5.__ Information regarding ticket packages readily available
__5.__ Information regarding seating readily available
__5.__ Game schedule readily available
__5.__ Arena information (parking, handicap seating, maps, etc.) readily available
__5.__ Contact information readily available (phone numbers, emails, addresses, directories, etc.) No handicap Ability to email with questions or feedback readily available
__5.__ Ability to purchase single game tickets
__2.__ Ability to purchase season tickets
__5.__ Ability to purchase team merchandise
__5.__ Lack of pop-up ads
__5.__ Ads/Links to sponsors
Design
__4.__ Overall graphic appeal
__4.__ Attractiveness of color scheme
__4.__ Layout is graphically pleasing
__3.__ Web-site is easy to navigate
__1.__ Search tool available
__5.__ Navigation Bars Adequately Direct and Guide you to different areas on the site
Content
__5.__ Overall availability of information on the franchise
__4....