I decided to review the American Museum of Natural History’s website, mostly because there was a picture of a ladybug on the homepage, and I like ladybugs. At first glance the home page seemed well organized and not too overwhelming, like most museum websites are. My eye was caught by the slideshow at the top of the screen that advertised for the current exhibits and special shows happening at the museum. I easily found the mission statement of the museum, which is: “to discover, interpret, and disseminate- through scientific research and education- knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe.” Like most other museums, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) strives to conduct research and then educate others about the subject matter it specializes in. The mission statement, like the website was simple, yet purposeful.
As I continued to explore the website, it just kept getting better and better. I could probably spend hours on this website- the home page is misleadingly minimal because the rest of the website has so much exciting and interesting information. Not only does the website describe the exhibits on display, it describes them in detail, with interactive animation, videos, and alternative information sources. The page about the butterfly exhibit even had a live webcam! There were also separate tabs for science and education, where both went into great detail about what AMNH scientists are doing and also how students, teachers, and parents can get even more involved. The AMNH website also does an outstanding job of advertising without being too “in your face” about it. They had a page devoted to helping guests plan their visit, with details about pricing, food, and downloadable maps. Also on almost every single page on the website is a prominent link to the visitor info and ticket page. The AMNH website also had an online store where you can purchase keepsakes, souvenirs, and memorabilia from anywhere at anytime. Another aspect of the website I really liked was their news portion. It was almost like a web blog where the museum updates almost daily on events. Overall, the AMNH website was outstanding.
Initially I was not sure if the AMNH website would be a good one because the front page was nothing extraordinary, but once I started to search through the pages, I knew that the website was a good one. Also, throughout the entire website the creators stuck to the mission of the museum. Almost all of the information was about educating and displaying what the museum has done and is doing today. I think that the AMNH website is extremely effective, because it draws in its audience, has efficient advertising, and does not stray from its mission.
As I continued to explore the website, it just kept getting better and better. I could probably spend hours on this website- the home page is misleadingly minimal because the rest of the website has so much exciting and interesting information. Not only does the website describe the exhibits on display, it describes them in detail, with interactive animation, videos, and alternative information sources. The page about the butterfly exhibit even had a live webcam! There were also separate tabs for science and education, where both went into great detail about what AMNH scientists are doing and also how students, teachers, and parents can get even more involved. The AMNH website also does an outstanding job of advertising without being too “in your face” about it. They had a page devoted to helping guests plan their visit, with details about pricing, food, and downloadable maps. Also on almost every single page on the website is a prominent link to the visitor info and ticket page. The AMNH website also had an online store where you can purchase keepsakes, souvenirs, and memorabilia from anywhere at anytime. Another aspect of the website I really liked was their news portion. It was almost like a web blog where the museum updates almost daily on events. Overall, the AMNH website was outstanding.
Initially I was not sure if the AMNH website would be a good one because the front page was nothing extraordinary, but once I started to search through the pages, I knew that the website was a good one. Also, throughout the entire website the creators stuck to the mission of the museum. Almost all of the information was about educating and displaying what the museum has done and is doing today. I think that the AMNH website is extremely effective, because it draws in its audience, has efficient advertising, and does not stray from its mission.
http://www.amnh.org/
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