Campaign Websites and Political SEO

With the rise of social media, the role of the political campaign website has shifted somewhat from being the bulk of a candidate‘s online presence to more of an informational hub. Regardless, a website is still critical as both an online platform and as a place to reference in your advertising. While a campaign website contains the core message and branding, people follow candidates and campaigns through a variety of methods – from blog feeds to Facebook and Twitter updates.

Some confuse having a website with having an online strategy. A website is only one component of a greater online campaign. You would not pin your candidacy on just having a website any more than you would pin your campaign on a single tri-fold flyer or a snazzy bumper sticker. In other words, you not only need a campaign website, but also a plan to develop and market it effectively.

In this section, we will go through the creation of a campaign website – from choosing a domain name to design considerations to building out the site. Learn the what’s possible, the potential pitfalls, and how to deal with it all.

Module Sections

• Choosing and Registering a Domain Name
  Getting the right name is important for now – and in the future.
• Political Domain Squatting and Other Dirty Tricks
  What to do if someone takes your name or attempts to hold your campaign hostage.
• Renewing Domain Names
  How to do it, and what to look out for from shady operators.
• Running a Slate of Candidates
  The pros and cons of running multiple candidates from a single campaign website.
• Microsites Extend Reach
  What are they, when should you use them, and what does it take to create them?
• Planning Your Campaign Website
  Ideas for planning the initial content of your website.
• Writing For The Web
  It’s different than writing for print. Tips and techniques for more effective communication.
• Critical Pieces of Text Needed In Your Campaign Website
  Here is a list of things that should always be spelled out when building out a political campaign website.
• Essential Website Disclaimers
  The three essential disclaimers your campaign website needs – and how to create them.
• Optimizing Your Web Content
  An introduction to search engine optimization, or SEO.
• Authoritative Linking
  Improve your SEO and increase your credibility.
• Preparing Text and Images For The Web
  The best techniques for getting your content ready for production.
• Designing a Campaign Website
  Find out the common design elements and conventions of current campaign web design.
• Website Hosting
  Not all hosting is the same.
• Setting up Search Engine Accounts
  Find out why these account are important, and how to get them started.
• Setting Up Website Analytics
  You are going to want to know who is going to your site, and what is bringing them there.
• What To Do With Your Campaign Website After the Election
  

More…

• Find sites and tools in the Resource Directory
• Discuss Campaign Websites on the Member Forum