The Battle of the Budget 2008

With the budget out of the way for another year, we can finally get back to worrying about house prices.

But it's also a good time to look back at how the various media covered the budget, which may or may not show how seriously they are taking their online journalism.

I've been taking a look at the Budget-dedicated websites of the main three business newspapers in the UK: The FT, The Telegraph, and The Times.

We all know who won with the Budget - 90-year-old clean-living, self-sufficient hermits - but who will prove victorious in getting reader's eyeballs glued to Darling's eyebrows? (Figuratively speaking...)

The FT

The FT minisite was easy to find, as it was advertised on the main page as well as having a clear URL.

The FT went all out this year, creating podcasts, videos, polls, a print-out-and-keep Budget paper, a 'win or lose?' calculator, not to mention a whole raft of comment and analysis - including user comments as well.

Their video section is particularly worth checking out. Not only did they have a lot of comment and analysis as the Budget was announced, but they were the only site to have videos previewing the budget.

I haven't heard it yet, but you can listen to the 2008 Budget podcast here.

This all might be expected from the FT - after all, the Budget is one of the only times that they would be able to show off their social media prowess. The only down side was the lack of user comments left on the site- just 18 at the last count.

The FT is also awarded a bonus mark as they used a traditional journalism tactic in handing out special Budget reports that evening, ready for City commuters to read. And I like having stuff to read on the way home.

Overall score: 8/10


The Telegraph

Apart from the horrible URL and the unclear menu listing of the expert comments, the Telegraph did a good job.

They took more of a fun angle - well, as 'fun' as the budget can get anyway. A nice video sits up front, but the rest of the video coverage wasn't as good as the FT's. The key points toolbar on the right hand side was a nice touch, as well as the cartoons - though there were only two and these didn't look through to more. The webchat was a useful tool, acting as a Q&A session with expert advice from Grant Thornton.

The highlight of The Telegraph's minisite for me was the interactive graphic, complete with a wobbly-headed Darlingand a clip- art filled 'Winners and Losers' tool.

Lots of viewer input too, with one area of the site containing way more user comments than on the FT's or The Times' coverage.

Livening up the Budget by trying to mix fun elements with expert analysis, but it wouldn't have been worth it if it wasn't backed up by smart graphics, an ease of use, and a wide range of content that users could interact with.

Overall score: 9/10


The Times

The Budget was nicely advertised on the home page of Times Online and also benefited from the bright blue button that sits on the main menu whenever a special subject is around.

The Times has plenty of comment and analysis on offer, bout to be honest, it all looks and feels a bit boring - especially compared to The Telegraph and even the FT.

Having said that, they do have a wealth of content - a well-hidden podcast, a Budget calculator, tax tables, and a photo slideshow. The Times also uses a reader's vote and offers a Q&A facility, although these are located after a long scroll down to the bottom of the page.

However, there seems to be no videos offering comment and analysis, although I did stop by in the morning and found a live video stream (I'm assuming it was live because when I visited the site in the morning it wasn't live, just running an advert for the company that were due to live stream the event...).

Good, but bit of a disappointment given the quality of the rest of their site.

Overall score: 7/10


So The Telegraph wins it, but only marginally against The FT. A great user experience coupled with great comment and analysis, with a dash of interactive fun for good measure.

How did the rest of you found the Budget 2008 experience? All comments would be most welcome.

Now, I'm off to stock up on booze before the tax hikes kick in...