Media Website Examples - 5 In-Depth Reviews of Sites That Inform
Read our reviews of a variety of media websites, including pros and cons and desktop versus mobile sites.
"Media" is defined as any outlets or tools that can be used to store and deliver content or information as a means of mass communication. Whatever style of media business you're starting, from a newspaper to a social media site, you will need an online presence in the form of a website. Your website should include high-quality content, strong keyword use, and sections for user engagement.
When designing your site, use Zarla's media AI website builder, which will design a site with AI-generated content for you in less than a minute.
1. Flathead Beacon
Kalispell, Montana, U.S.
The Flathead Beacon is a news publication dedicated to journalism and quality commentary in Northwest Montana. The site features convenient and clear content sections, with an additional menu for more in-depth options.
I found the ad placement was subtle enough not to distract from the content and I liked the style of the site, which reminded me of a traditional newspaper. I enjoyed the browsing experience of the site, but I found myself looking for "next read" recommendations so I didn't have to keep returning to the home page to read the next story.
2. Central Radio
Blackpool, Fylde, & Lancashire; England; U.K.
Central Radio is a local radio station that plays music from the 1970s to the present and also features news, weather, sports, and other information. The first thing I noticed was the site's branding, which stands out and is used consistently across the platform. I also enjoyed that the first bit of information you see is what's currently playing with options to listen live or listen to a past session.
For music lovers, recently played songs are available for download on Apple Music, while the site also provides news stories for visitors to browse. I also found the "How to Listen" section to be a cute addition to the site.
3. WSB-TV/Channel 2
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
WSB-TV, or Channel 2, is a television station in Atlanta that provides local news, weather, sports, and deals. The site features live streaming, which I could resize to better fit the screen or minimize while I was scrolling.
While the site, particularly the home page, is filled with an overwhelming number of videos and news articles, the site is nicely organized into clear content categories. The additional hamburger menu is also very long and a bit overwhelming, so there is a lot of scrolling necessary on this site, but in my opinion, it's all about the live streaming.
4. Cara
N/A
Cara is a social media platform for artists that provides a safe space for artists to share their work. That work will be protected from unethical use in AI generative tools, and Cara also prevents AI-generated artwork from being uploaded to the site. This is a new startup, with the site currently in open beta mode. The site immediately highlights various artworks, and clicking on one brings up the original feed post.
The site has an interesting blog that includes site information and updates, fun challenges and events, editorials, and even open jobs. There is a small additional menu hidden to the right of the page behind the three dots usually used for settings, which includes information about Glaze, an app that protects images from use in AI, and the company's social media and Discord links. Due to the icon used for this menu, I didn't realize it was an additional menu until I clicked on it.
5. Fort Erie Observer
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
The Fort Erie Observer is a bi-weekly community publication that delivers news stories, photos, and events to the community. The site is simply set up, allowing me to find local stories and breaking news for the community. However, the events page didn't feature any upcoming events at the time of this writing.
I liked the addition of a quick-links menu in the middle of the page, but unfortunately, the "Featured 'Shop Local' Businesses" link returned an error message. I also noticed that there is a Facebook and Instagram link at the top of the page, but only a Facebook link in the footer.
