What's up with the website?

[Restore-America-NOW]

The campaign is going pretty good at this early stage, but the one thing we're severely lacking in is our website. Let's be honest, it's extremely basic and not very well organized. Just take a look at Newt Gingrich or Gary Johnson's website, everything is well organized and attractive, They're advanced flash websites. Our's unfortunately looks like something from 2004.

Also, a Google search of "Ron Paul" doesn't show the official campaign website until the middle of the second page! Let's get more organized!

 

[chilledfresh]

The official campaign website is the first result for me, but Google search results are different for everybody.

Personally, I think it's better if the website doesn't use Flash, because it's still an unsupported media type for many mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, Blackberry).

Anyway, I'm sure there's more to be said about the site's design, branding and organization... Personally I would like to see more colors, and tighter spacing between the various page elements... but in the long run, I think it's the content that's lacking the most.

FWIW, here are some of my thoughts on ways the official website could improve:

1. Add more photos of supporters, and Ron Paul interacting with them
In 2008, the average voter's perception of Ron Paul could be summed up by this phrase: "I don't want to throw my vote away." The campaign needs to show more photos of Ron Paul interacting with people to help counter the perception that he doesn't have any real support. As it is now, the one photo of Ron Paul on his bio page makes him look rather lonely, don't you think?

2. Focus on the grassroots
Barack Obama's 2008 campaign was successful largely in part due to it's focus on getting people involved. The "Hope" message was catchy, but think about this: when you go to Obama's website, one of the first things you'll see is a "Get Involved" message. In fact, ways to get involved are all over the main page, not just news. This really made Obama look like the "people's choice" compared to every other candidate (see my first point).

3. Focus on educating visitors about Ron Paul's principles, not just the issues
I dare say that Ron Paul's supporters are much better informed about the issues than any other candidate's. However, the issues aren't really what define us... it's the principles we believe in that make those issues important. This is why a lot of people still don't "get" Ron Paul; they don't have a mental framework, or worldview, to process the information we give them. The website needs an "Issues" page, I agree. But it isn't enough. We need a "Principles" page too, with links to resources where people can get educated. Personally, I think the Mises Institute is a great start.

Edit: Now that I'm thinking about it, someone should make a dramatization of "That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen."

 

[Thomas]

the campaign is no doubt working on a first class website as we speak

 

[DirtMcGirt]

The official campaign website is the first result for me, but Google search results are different for everybody.

Personally, I think it's better if the website doesn't use Flash, because it's still an unsupported media type for many mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, Blackberry).

Anyway, I'm sure there's more to be said about the site's design, branding and organization... Personally I would like to see more colors, and tighter spacing between the various page elements... but in the long run, I think it's the content that's lacking the most.

FWIW, here are some of my thoughts on ways the official website could improve:

1. Add more photos of supporters, and Ron Paul interacting with them
In 2008, the average voter's perception of Ron Paul could be summed up by this phrase: "I don't want to throw my vote away." The campaign needs to show more photos of Ron Paul interacting with people to help counter the perception that he doesn't have any real support. As it is now, the one photo of Ron Paul on his bio page makes him look rather lonely, don't you think?

2. Focus on the grassroots
Barack Obama's 2008 campaign was successful largely in part due to it's focus on getting people involved. The "Hope" message was catchy, but think about this: when you go to Obama's website, one of the first things you'll see is a "Get Involved" message. In fact, ways to get involved are all over the main page, not just news. This really made Obama look like the "people's choice" compared to every other candidate (see my first point).

3. Focus on educating visitors about Ron Paul's principles, not just the issues
I dare say that Ron Paul's supporters are much better informed about the issues than any other candidate's. However, the issues aren't really what define us... it's the principles we believe in that make those issues important. This is why a lot of people still don't "get" Ron Paul; they don't have a mental framework, or worldview, to process the information we give them. The website needs an "Issues" page, I agree. But it isn't enough. We need a "Principles" page too, with links to resources where people can get educated. Personally, I think the Mises Institute is a great start.

Edit: Now that I'm thinking about it, someone should make a dramatization of "That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen."

Good insight, I think you could even solve point one and two at the same time.

 

[Matt Collins]

Apparently the campaign has been reading RPF and seen some of the complaints about the official website. Because of this they are expediting their work on it and I've heard that in the next couple of weeks, possibly even sooner, the RP2012 website will have issue positions posted! From what I've heard they have already been drafted and are making the proofreading rounds to ensure no mistakes; they'll go up very soon. There will be other updates to the website too apparently.

This again proves a day and night difference between 2008 and 2012!

 

[steph3n]

Apparently the campaign has been reading RPF and seen some of the complaints about the official website. Because of this they are expediting their work on it and I've heard that in the next couple of weeks, possibly even sooner, the RP2012 website will have issue positions posted! From what I've heard they have already been drafted and are making the proofreading rounds to ensure no mistakes; they'll go up very soon. There will be other updates to the website too apparently.

This again proves a day and night difference between 2008 and 2012!

Return of Teh Collins!

When will they get a facebook editor with 2 clues and a french fry to fill the happy meal?

 

[mugen]

nvm

 

[eduardo89]

Good news that they read RPF, if only they'd listen about a suit that fits Ron...

 

[AuH20]

Where is the issues section? C'mon folks. We have inquisitive visitors drawn from google searches. Chop chop.

 

[puppetmaster]

Apparently the campaign has been reading RPF and seen some of the complaints about the official website. Because of this they are expediting their work on it and I've heard that in the next couple of weeks, possibly even sooner, the RP2012 website will have issue positions posted! From what I've heard they have already been drafted and are making the proofreading rounds to ensure no mistakes; they'll go up very soon. There will be other updates to the website too apparently.

This again proves a day and night difference between 2008 and 2012!

The issue positions are great but they need to explain in simple terms how it will benefit each voter. Less than 1% of population knows wtf kenyesian economics is.......KEEP IT SIMPLE AND EXPLAIN so a third grader will understand. You have to get people emotionally bonded to the issues. Sales 101 guys if you are paying attention.

 

[rbohlig]

Wow, some of the other websites look pretty damn good. Romney's looks amazing. We need something that is similar to this, it is very easy to navigate and looks very good. A good website can be a HUGE advantage as BO showed in 2008

 

[iGGz]

lol ronpaul2012.com was on the SECOND page of Google for me when I searched Ron Paul...

 

[DirtMcGirt]

Another point that should be hammered home is RP's experience. He should mention this in every debate. Obama was elected 8 years too early (he's JV) and the inexperienced republican chumps can't hold a candle to him.

"In times of uncertainty we need someone with experience and consistency"