With the 2024 U.S. presidential election on the horizon, the digital sphere will once again be a battleground for both candidates and the news outlets that cover them. It's an exciting time to be at the intersection of news and technology, but without a solid plan, you risk getting lost in the shuffle.
During the 2024 election season, experts predict a surge in overall site visits and a change in the ways users interact with election-related content. According to the Pew Research Center, more than eight-in-ten Americans rely on digital platforms for news, with news websites and apps being the most preferred way to get digital news.
Professor (and director of sales engineering) Dave Hantz shows you when it's time to think about revamping your news website.
The upshot: The increase in traffic and advertising impressions around the U.S. presidential election—and other major events throughout the year—is a gold rush for those prepared to make the most of it. Is your site optimized to take advantage?
Freshen your site's design
Imagine your website as the front door to your election coverage. You want it wide open, welcoming, and easy to walk through. By choosing the best CMS for news organizations, you're already positioned for year-round digital success. But all sites sprout a few weeds over time, and technology is always barreling forward. If it's been more than two years since you've redesigned, it's probably time.
An inviting, modern, and intuitive design keeps users on your site longer, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement. And with mobile news consumption expected to dominate this year's election cycle, it's critical that news organizations optimize their content to deliver a seamless experience on all devices.
Don't have the time or expertise to tackle a redesign yourself? Our turnkey redesign packages are a quick and affordable way to ensure that you're putting your best foot forward for every visitor, on every device.
From the first days of the campaign to the final vote count, BLOX Elections Stats makes every election moment an engaging journey for your audience.
Augment your stories with data
The heart of election coverage is data—races, results, and stats—served up in near real-time. BLOX Elections Stats is an add-on for BLOX CMS that helps you deliver this information in a way that's efficient for your team and engaging for your audience.
With BLOX Elections Stats, you can turn complex data into captivating, easy-to-understand visual stories complete with up-to-the-minute election graphs and analysis. It simplifies the process of managing and updating election statistics, freeing your team to focus on reporting.
With BLOX Elections Stats, you'll provide unparalleled election coverage that keeps your audience smashing the "Reload" button.
Plan for monetization
When freshening your design, it's critical to keep monetization in mind. A bit of advance planning will set you up to capitalize on traffic spikes from elections and other major news events.
Remember, if your site has a paywall or meter, the goal is to deliver the right offers at the right time, keeping visitors engaged and driving subscriber growth. If your meter isn't properly configured, you're leaving money on the table. And optimizing your programmatic ad map will turn increased views into increased revenue, making the election a win for both democracy and your bottom line. (If you use BLOX YieldUp for your managed programmatic, we've got you covered.)
Don't worry if you lack the on-staff expertise to fine-tune these elements—BLOX Digital is here to help, ensuring your site is optimized for success.
Now is the time to prepare
In the fast-paced world of digital journalism, keeping your site fresh and engaging is a necessity. As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, now is the perfect time to ensure your digital presence is optimized to handle the surge in traffic and deliver top-notch coverage. Let us help you revamp your site with a sleek, modern design that captivates your audience. Pair this with BLOX Elections Stats, and you'll transform complex data into compelling visual stories that reinforce your role as a trusted news source.
Don't wait for the first ballots to be cast. Contact BLOX Digital today to kick off your redesign process and get started with BLOX Elections Stats. When election traffic starts rolling in, you'll be ready.
