Post 2: URLs

http://stuaff.clemson.edu/redfern/
http://stuaff.clemson.edu/redfern/medserv/content/women_faq.php

I chose to evaluate two websites that are very beneficial to Clemson students, the Redfern Health Center and the Women’s Clinic websites. Some of the strengths of the Redfern Health Center’s website were its organization. You can clearly see what site you are on based on the contrast of colors from white to purple in the banner at the top of the page. The text it flush right allowing the viewer to see the other commonly used “Division Links,” helpful links regarding the Redfern Health Center, and "Hot Topics" associated with the Redfern Health Center. The use of white space is effective in that although there are a lot of links on the page it doesn’t seem too cluttered. Some of the weaknesses the Redfern Health Center website has are that the links are not clearly detected and that you have to scroll down to view the entire page. The links are all colored in purple, however some of the text mixed with the links are in black and look like links but are not. This is confusing because there is not enough contrast between the color of the links and text. The other weakness of scrolling down the page to view the entire page is problematic. One of the most important links, “After Hours Care” is hidden until you scroll down. I believe if you need urgent care when the Health Center is closed that would be one of the first links you’d like to see on the website, instead of a link about insurance. I also feel the graphics are nice to look at but if they wanted to use optimal space the graphics could go.

The second URL I chose was the Women’s Clinic website, which might I add was difficult to get to from the Redfern Health Center website. The Women’s Clinic website’s strength includes its conciseness. There are essential questions listed on the site and answered brief and accurately, such as essential information like hours of operation and a telephone number. You do not have to scroll down to see the entire page. And like the Redfern Health Center page, the contrast of the purple banner and the white space allows the viewer to know exactly what page they are looking at. Some of the major weaknesses of this site is that it does not specifically say what sort of services the Women’s Clinic provides. It says that it offers a wide range of services but it does not specifically say what kind. If a student needed a service in particular they would have to call the women’s center and request more information. This is particularly unfortunate because the people who use this service are young and possibly embarrassed or are too scared to ask for certain services like pregnancy tests or a test for STDs.

When comparing the two websites they both have similar strengths. They have a good use of contrast in the banner and the contact information is apparent on both pages. When the main audience of students look at these pages they can easily find the information/links without having to read too much. In terms of weaknesses, both websites are not specific enough in the information they provide. Its nice for a busy college to student to glance at the page and find links and brief information, but when it comes to a student’s health when they are far from home they are going to want to know a lot more about the services the Health Center and Women’s Clinic provide than information on "faculty/staff" and "parents and visitors."