Evaluating Iranian newspapers' web sites using correspondence analysis

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Iranian newspapers' web sites based on the criteria obtained from Alexa Search Engine using correspondence analysis. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 55 newspaper web sites are selected from Iranian Magazines Information Bank (Magiran.com), the number of which, after investigating the web sites one by one, due to their print prevention, cessation or no coverage by Alexa, is decreased to 24 web sites. Findings - Based on data obtained from Alexa, Iran newspaper has the highest traffic rank and the largest number of links among others. Bashirmazandaran newspaper has the largest number of foreign users whilst Karvakargar newspaper has no foreign users. The results of the study also show that most newspaper web sites' visitors come from the USA. Correspondence analysis classifies 24 web sites into three groupings gathered based on some common attributes. Originality/value - The results of this research will be useful not only for administrators of Iranian newspapers' web sites but anyone with a need to increase usage of a web site and an interest in analyzing the use of web site which naturally includes librarians and those in charge of library web sites.