BEST OF THE WEB
You'll see that the top companies worked hard to make their sites places potential customers want to visit time and time again. Coke uses online sales and outside links. Sony shows its sense of humor. Sprint provides information for sports enthusiasts. The companies' messages are wrapped around these services almost seamlessly.
 Coca-Cola |
The Coca-Cola Web site contains all the elements of a good corporate site. It presents information of interest to both consumers and shareholders, it's well-organized, it provides opportunities to interact with the company. But beside
s that, the site gives you the feeling that there is a human being behind it. The site is updated frequently -- as the webmasters say, whenever the mood strikes.
One especially nice feature is the sitetree, which presents an overall organizational look at the site. To go there, click on the shoe tree at the bottom of each page.
Besides the standard corporate offerings -- a message to shareholders, corporate mission statement and profile -- the site features a Trading Post with a Netalogue for Coca-Cola products, a Pin Exchange, Olympic Game goodies, and Coke collectibles. The re's a Pavilion, with a Tour du Jour, the history of the company, and two places with great links: It's a Mystery and Sport & Entertainment. The links take you both inside and outside the Coca-Cola site. Go to the Road Rally and try to get the Olympic fla me from Los Angeles to Atlanta in time for the games.
Oh, and if the site doesn't start you humming the Coke jingle, that's okay. Go to the Soda Fountain, and then to Take a Byte and download one of several versions of the Coca-Cola jingle. Whether you like Hip Hop or Country, it will have you singing.
 Sony Online |
Do you know the history of Mr. Potato Head? Did you know that 11 percent of people who have tried Prozac would like to see Dan Quayle make a comeback because "Al Gore just isn't funny enough?" Do you have a Murray (the dog) T-Shirt? D
o you know how to become a contestant on Jeopardy?
If the answer to these questions is no, you need to visit Sony Online. This Web site offers everything in the entertainment world from music to movies and everywhere in between. Each of Sony's divisions -- Music, Pictures, Electronics, Interactive, Gea r, and SW Networks (radio) -- could be a site in itself.
Among the best offerings is the opportunity to download a MusicScreener -- Sony's new 30- to 40-second music video clips that you can use as screensavers or in two games you can preview at the site. Visit the TV section to read all about the "Mad About You" set. SW Networks highlights Sony's radio offerings, from jazz to classical music to the new Mario Cuomo show. And be sure to visit TV Nation for more off-beat facts from that show's poll.
 Sprint |
Designed like an old-time gas station, Sprint's site offers a full-service Web station where it tells the Sprint story, introduces other parts of the Internet, and makes the pitch for Sprint to handle all your Internet needs.
Along the way are all kinds of activities. Visit the Rec Room where you'll find the Sprint Sports Stop, with information on the U.S. Ski Team and Route Fore for golf. Sprint is broadcasting college basketball live through the University of Kansas radio station KJHK. You can listen to KJHK's broadcasts of University of Kansas home games and other NCAA games and special events using CU-SeeMe, Maven, or NetPhone. You can use those programs to see as well as hear select games. The site has complete informa tion on downloading these programs and instructions on how to use them. They say things will really heat up as the season progresses and information on the broadcast of future NCAA games will be coming to the site soon. Drums is the world's first virtual production studio. With its interactive digital production network, it lets participants create, edit and finish print and video productions, allowing for "unprecedented levels of collaboration" between creative teams in different geographical areas. E Pa trol is a non-profit organization giving kids a forum for discussing and learning about the environment. Test your knowledge of telecom terms by taking the Telecom Quiz.
In Sprint Stuff you can read about Sprint's residential and business services, job opportunities, and press releases. Internet Ahead features Internet products and services including freeware and shareware for PCs and Macs, search engines, Net advice and some great links. Check out the Diner and Table for a variety of political topics, a netiquette discussion, and Net advice.
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| 4. IBM WWW Home Page |
IBM's Web site is packed with information. Its Newsfeed features current company news, show dates, job offerings, and stock quotes. On the lighter side, you'll find Electric Origami -- puzzles and games -- and the Sports Page. Industry Solutions featur e custom solutions for different industries, and the IBM store in What We Offer is also worth a visit.
| 5. Compaq Computer Corp. |
Compaq's site gives you a choice of text or graphics mode and is chock full of information on its products and services. Service/Support has patches and other files to download to keep your Compaq running well. In Additional Information, you'll find ex tensive information on Compaq's training programs and events.
| 5.(tie) Ticketmaster |
Ticketmaster Online is a great site if you want to know about upcoming entertainment and sporting events. It is well-organized and easily accessible by venue, city, artist and type of event. Backstage features news, interviews, a chat area, and Showcas e. Company information is extensive, and upcoming plans include selling tickets online.
| 5.(tie) Mobil Corp. |
Mobil's Web presentation has extensive information for consumers and shareholders, including stock prices and details of its Dividend Reinvestment Program. Products and services are prominently featured, with information on over 600 products. Leave you r comments in the Dear Mobil section, and let your Congressmen know your views with Congressional E-Mail.
| 8. AT&T |
Clearly organized, AT&T's home page gets you directly to the information you need. It features daily news briefs, plenty of shareholder information, and details on all of AT&T's products and services. Take a look at WorldNet -- the company's Internet s ervices -- and go to Sneak Peek to read about what's new on the Internet for adults and kids.
| 8.(tie) The Buick Showroom |
The Buick Showroom is a nice place to visit even if you aren't in the market for a car. It features product information on Buick's full line, and it also features PGA Tour results and Buick Open and Challenge information. If you are looking for a new c ar, you can request brochures on your favorite Buick model.
| 10. MCI |
At the MCI site you'll find lots of company information for consumers, shareholders, and business customers. Its well-designed graphics include an excellent map of the site.
| 11. Adobe Systems, Inc. |
Read Me First tells you how to download the Adobe Acrobat reader so you can read the many reports for investors and consumers that are featured at Adobe's Web site. You�ll learn about Adobe products and how customers are using them in Customer Spotligh ts.
| 11.(tie) Ford Worldwide Connection |
The Ford Showroom presents the Ford brands -- Ford, Lincoln/Mercury, and Jaguar. The site includes a dealer locator, interior/exterior photographs, specifications and pricing, as well as corporate information.
| 11.(tie) Southwest Airlines |
If you are looking for flight information, fares, and special airline promotions, you'll find them at the Southwest Airlines site. Unfortunately you still have to make a call to purchase tickets, but Southwest says you'll be able to buy online soon.
| 14. Bell Atlantic |
For its customers, Bell Atlantic features special offers, product updates, an Electronic Yellow Pages, and plenty of details on all of its residential and business services. Check out the tips on telephone fraud and the technology updates.
| 14.(tie) Ragu Presents -- Mama's Cucina |
Visit this site if only for the quote of the day. My recent favorite: "All problems in life get simpler after some rigatoni and meatballs." Mama will talk you through this site, offering coupons, nutritional information, and, of course, motherly advice as you go. Enter the contests and check out the recipes in Mama's Cookbook along the way.
| 16. Pontiac Excitement on the Web |
Pontiac's site delivers as promised with its Cyber Showroom. There's lots of information here, nice graphics, and an opportunity for feedback through the online suggestion box. You can request more information on any Pontiac model via e-mail.
| 16.(tie) Valvoline |
The Valvoline site has a nice mix of product information, the world of racing, and a section for Mechanics Only -- the latest news for professional mechanics. Valvoline Racing presents information on the Indy 500 and Racing History, and features the Va lvoline Racing Store with an assortment of apparel. Valvoline's environmental services company, First Recovery, cover issues involved in properly disposing of Valvoline's products.
| 16.(tie) Churchill Communications Corp. |
Churchill Communications' site is an excellent marketing tool for the company, which assists other companies in communicating with their shareholders or customers. The site features clear, concise presentations of Churchill's products and services.
| 19. Cadillac |
The 1996 lines are featured at Cadillac's site as well as upcoming events like auto shows, the Senior PGA Tour, the Olympic Games, and harness racing. You can request a catalog online, locate a dealer, or check out other links in Site Seeing.
| 19.(tie) Software Publishing Corp. |
Software Publishing Corp., the makers of Harvard Graphics and other software, provides at its site information on job opportunites and detailed product information and pricing. There are links for downloading demos, tips for each of its products, and s upport information.
| 21. General Electric Home Page |
Each of GE's businesses is featured in their site as well as stockholder information, products and services, worldwide opportunities, and company highlights. One of the more interesting parts of the site is the NBC area. Join the NBC Viewer's Club and check out upcoming shows, sports, and news.
| 21.(tie) Welcome to Intel |
Intel's site features two magazines: PC Explore Magazine for home PC users, and Directions Magazine for advanced computing trends. The site features practical and technical information, and corporate information such as financial data, job opportunitie s, and press releases.
| 23. Eastman Kodak Co. |
Well organized, Kodak's site features information about the company and its products. However, the Photography page is the best part of this site. In the Guide to Better Pictures, you�ll find terrific tips to improve your photographs.
| 23.(tie) United Media |
United Media is the leading licensor and syndicator of news features and comics, including Dilbert and Peanuts. The site features the Web's largest collection of comic strips and editorial cartoons. There's information on its subscription service and l icensing information. Visit the Dilbert store while you're there.
| 23.(tie) Ad Age -- It's All About Marketing |
Begin at Ad Age's Big Picture, where you'll find background information on the company and links to each of the company's magazines with editorial and business profiles of each. Daily Deadlines presents advertising industry news from today's Advertisin g Age.
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