Because i am having to include 2 hyperlinks on my webpage, i am looking at the sports section of the Subury mercury to see how they have layed things out and how sections are presented.
Firstly, the page is set out with different sub-headings, for example, rugby, cycling and also the Colchester United Football club. This helps the reader because its easier for them to navigate around the page.
Also, under each sub-heading there are small sentences to show the reader what the hyper link is about, for example,'Town isnt having two upront' this hyperlinked sentence leads on to a page explaining why Ipswich Town didnt have two people upfront.
From these two examples from the web page, i have thought of a few ideas of what i am going to include on my website, for example, i am going to use the idea of having different sub-headings on the sports page, to seperate out all the information.

Research on the Sudbury Mercury

I have researched the Sudbury Mercury due to it being another popular local newspaper and webpage.
Firstly, news feed of the main stories in the Mercury are typed continuously at the top of the page. This catches the readers attention as its the only thing that moves on the website.
Another thing that catches the readers attention is the big black masthead of the Sudbury Mercury at the top left hand side of the web page. Similar to the Halstead Gazette are the colours that are used. Black and red are used in the Sudbury Mercury, this maybe to get the effect that the Halstead Gazette has of connotations of urgency and important, however, the Sudbury Mercury has the colours on the different catagories, not just on the mast head. This may be to make the page look more serious and important.
On the other hand, The main story has a big picture in the top middle of the site, which gets the readers attention and it makes clear to the readers what is going on in their local area.
All the different catagories are positioned at the top of the page under the masthead. The main thing that makes the catagories eye catching is the black background, this is because black is a very outstanding colour. Also, when someone hovers the mouse over a certain catagorie it turns the background to red, to show what the reader is about to click on, this is clever because it makes the website more interesting.
Finally, There are all different advertisements at the left side of the page, this is different because its something that people can use for themseleves, wether they want to find a new job or a new home.

Research on the Halstead Gazette website

On the Halstead Gazette website,I have found 5 different things that i can identify that are things that i am looking for and I can use on my newspaper website.
Firstly, The Masthead is put in a good place because its the first thing that draws the reader’s attention as it stands out as it is big and bold. Also, the colours that have been used for the Masthead also have their own connotations. For example, black is a connotation of seriousness and importance, and similarly, red is a connotation of urgency. Both of these colour represent that the website and newspaper are essential for people to read.
Similarly, the date is displayed at the top of the page, which shows the reader that it is up to date and will have new and recent news and information for people to read.
Also, at the top of the page there is a little point that tells people to send in their pictures, videos and news. This makes the website more local due to people from the local area being able to put their own information for people to see or read.
On the other hand, below the Masthead, there is all the different catagories for the website, however, this is a good place for them to be, as the first thing that people see is the masthead. There isnt too many catagories for people to go through, but this may be a good thing because the different catagories lead to the main points that people want to know, for example, 'sport' and 'local info'.
Finally, the main story of the halstead Gazette is Matt Cardle in the X-Factor, this is made clear by the main picture placed in the centre at the top of the page. This also makes it clear to people that he is a local guy and that people in the local village are supporting him and want him to do well.