Web2.0 Online Magazine Analysis
Posted by sarahsmart on February 24, 2009
This is an assignment from my online magazine course.
FLARE
Flare magazine uses many web2.0 tools on their website. They offer their users RSS tools which will send updates to the user regarding new content on the website. As well, there is a budget calculator, bookmarking tools, chat forums that discuss celebrity gossip, health and fashion, streaming radio, and a pop culture blog.
The web2.0 tools that Flare uses on its website encourage the magazine reader to visit often. The RSS updates that the user receives tell her of new content that would be of interest to her. Because she is aware of this new content, she is more likely to visit the website often and read the articles. The editors of the magazine are better able to get across the information they want to the user and have their work read. As well, because the user can bookmark interesting articles and go back later to read them, the magazine is ensuring that she is able to access the editorial content on her own time.
CHATELAINE
http://en.chatelaine.com/english/index.jsp 
The website for Chatelaine magazine offers online users the opportunity to read multiple blogs dealing with topics that are often found in the magazine. As well, there are many video feeds regarding topics such as food prep, fitness, DIY, and beauty. There is a calorie counter, a BMI calculator, streaming music, and RSS tools. As well, there is a huge section devoted to chat forums. Every possible topic you can think of is listed and there is a general forum just in case the one you wish to discuss is not covered.
Chatelaine gives the online magazine users access to chat forums where readers can discuss any topic that they feel is pertinent. These chat forums encourage the reader to return to the website often as they can create a sense of community for the reader. This sense of community and belonging translates into branding. The marketers of the magazine want the reader to feel like she belongs and to associate Chatelaine with something that is comfortable and a place where she can freely voice her own opinions and read those of others. The user feels loyal to Chatelaine because of those feelings and will buy the magazine in order to continue feeling this way. The magazine marketers are capitalizing on people’s desires to belong and feel like they are a part of something.
LOULOU
http://www.louloumagazine.com/ 
Loulou magazine offers its online users RSS tools. These tools provide updates to the user regarding new content on the website that may be of interest to them. Other web2.0 tools found on the Loulou website include an editor’s blog, a virtual model that the users can adjust to look like themselves and dress up in various clothes, and video content of various topics that the user may find interesting.
The web2.0 tools found on the site encourage the user to spend a lot of time there. There is a lot to play around with and watch in addition to the articles that the user likely came there for in the first place. Because the user is spending so much time on the site it is advantageous for the advertisers. The longer a person spends on the site, the more likely they are to see the banner or link advertising a certain company. The more times a person sees the company name or logo it increases the chance that they will visit the company’s site or try out that company’s products in the future.
