Kerrang web home page and front cover analysis

On the magazine front cover there are no adverts for anything other than the stories inside. On the homepage there are adverts for things that could appeal to the target audience eg converse footwear or O2. This is a technique called cookies. Some adverts may be of a pop up style.

Both the magazine and the website have a clear sectional layout and directions to other places in the magazine and on the web. The website uses a clear uncluttered navigation bar and the magazine a content page. Some sections may be similar in theme or content. Images may also be similar between versions.

Both print and web page versions add a feel of audience exclusivity eg ‘World exclusive’ or ‘Access to all areas’.

The website uses sound by offering podcasts of musicians interviews eg Fall Out Boy, which is a level of interactivity for music fans that print magazines cannot offer- this is why the future of print versions of music magazines are  possibly under threat from easily available internet options. The podcast has a greater impact than the 2 page spread on page 36 and 37.

'SWAG’ is a play on words used on the website as the area for winning prizes- located centrally on the homepage. On the magazine the reader has the opportunity to win a £700 guitar- this is in the right hand pug position.

The online version has direct links to single downloads and music videos for fans.

Colours are of a consistent house style in the magazine and website- mostly white on black with splashes of yellow and red. Font style is also consistent as are Logo/ masthead.
Both refer to each other print version lists the web page address eg www.kerrang.com. The website has a front cover image of the latest magazine version.

The online version doesn’t repeat the same text. Multimedia features can be quickly updated on line. Viewers can have all the latest news and music gossip.

On line versions can offer a higher level of interactivity for the reader for example direct links to blogs, social networking sites or online shops for merchandise or tickets.  Viewers are encouraged to vote on the website for the Kerrang awards.

Image led links and hyperlinks on the online version of the magazine allow easy access to linked sites eg Kerrang radio is referred to several times on the home page.