Magazine Resources

FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog

October 30, 2006

What Do You Want From A Magazine Website?

Interesting article today in today's Wall Street Journal about Time Inc. and its latest attempt at a coherent Web strategy. The piece raises some important issues about what we want from our print media's online forays. Perhaps the most telling paragraph is this one, highlighting what Time Inc has planned for some of its flagship titles:

Time Inc. plans to invest millions of dollars in coming months to build up its biggest sites. The enhancements will include more professional video and portfolio tools for investors at CNNMoney. The company is considering making acquisitions to expand SI.com into social networking and user-generated content. And at People.com, the publisher plans to invest in blogs, video and other features.

Do you want more video from your print titles? Do you want more tools or an opportunity to hang out? Or do you do those things elsewhere? It's a good story to read after this month's Fast Company feature on the digital newspaper guru Rob Curley.

So what do you want from the Web version of your favorite magazines (yes, including Fast Company)?

Posted by David Lidsky at October 30, 2006 2:28 PM | Category: technology + computers | 5 Comments

5 COMMENTS

Posted by: Ed Brenegar at October 30, 2006 5:18 PM

That's easy. Most articles end before I want them to end. Just like DVDs have deleted scenes, I'd like additional content from the article. I want the topic expanded beyond what I get in the magazine. If I knew that I'd get 30% more content, I'd more likely go to the site more.

Posted by: Peter Rees at October 30, 2006 6:20 PM

I think Ed's on the mark.

Richer context. More about the author of the piece, back story, and direct links to the subject of the story.

If the story is being revisited then a link to the previous item.

My enjoyment of the NYT is assisted by their online material.

Posted by: Mike at October 30, 2006 8:34 PM

Easy. I'd like articles on trends, not trendiness. I'd like articles on fundamentals. I'd like articles on pricing strategy ... made interesting. I'd like articles on strategy ... made interesting. I'd like articles on management ... made interesting.

Posted by: Stuart Rock at November 1, 2006 5:05 PM

After years of just having an archive site for our magazine (which is for UK entrepreneurs), we have relaunched the site and are only beginning to address this question. I'm encouraged by Ed's comments, as that is certainly one direction in which we'll be moving.

Posted by: Bob at November 1, 2006 9:52 PM