Local Campaign Website Basics

Choose a Domain Name

In choosing a campaign website domain name, simple is often best. And what could be simpler than your own name! If your name is John Jones, go with johnjones.com. If your name is already registered, try a variation of your name (eg. johnqjones.com).

You may want to avoid the words "elect" or "for xxxxxx", or the elected position name in your domain name. What if you win? You may still want to use your website after the election to keep in touch with constituents and recycle the domain for future elections. Again, simple is best.

Don't make your domain too long. Even though you can have over 60 characters in your domain name, how many users will actually remember to type a domain name like electjohnjonesfortowncouncil.com?

TIP: Select several domain names, just in case your first choices are already taken. 

While it's possible to register the domain name of an opponent, we don't recommend doing so. Underhanded tricks like that are easily brought to light and can backfire against you -- particularly in smaller campaigns. Also, registering the legal name of an opponent and using it maliciously could get you into legal hot water.

At the same time, there isn't much use in trying to purchase all of the domain names that could possibly used against you. Instead, spend your efforts promoting your own message.

Basic Campaign Website Features

Here's a quick checklist of pages that any campaign website should have:

• Candidate Biography: Background information about the candidate.
• Issues pages: Stake your positions against those of your opponent.
• Endorsements: These can be included as their own page, or scattered throughout the website. If you link directly to the source material, it's even better.
• Campaign news page or blog: Featuring campaign news that is regularly updated.
• Contact or volunteer form: This should be included along with 'real-world' contact information. A good volunteer form suggesting multiple ways that a volunteer can help may spur more responses. Someone might not want to do door-to-door solicitation for you, but they might put a sign in their yard or agree to send postcards to neighbors.
• Secure online fundraising..
• Voter registration information: If running for political office, be sure to link to your state's online registration application.
• Contact Information: This can be for the organization and for specific campaign members (volunteer organizer, etc).

Some additional features:

• Ability to upload and download content: This provides easier distribution of policy papers, forms, ect. Let supporters print their own materials!
• Privacy policy: Most people don't read 'legalese', but a good privacy policy helps build trust, particularly with potential donors. It's best to be restrictive with your privacy policy and promise not to sell or share visitor information with anyone.
• Refer-a-friend Link: This allows a visitor to e-mail an invitation to others so that they check out your campaign website. This is one componenet of viral marketing, which is discussed further below.
• Printable Pages: Allow your visitors to print pages in a printer-friendly format.

Who should be running the campaign website?

Everyone has a role in a local campaign. Generally, the candidate should focus on campaigning, the campaign manager should be running the campaign behind the scenes, the volunteer coordinator should be organizing the volunteer team, etc. Your campaign may want to recruit a volunteer web coordinator to post website updates, help compose send e-newsletters, set up your fundraising page, and handle your online advertising. Whoever maintains the campaign website will have the responsibility of working with others to maintain the campaign focus and theme online.

The above was an excerpt from the e-book Running for Office as an Online Candidate, included FREE with your Online Candidate package.

Back to the article index

Create a powerful presence with Online Candidate!

Subscribe for free campaign tips and ideas.

Name:

Email:

Customer Support Is Great!

"This system was very easy to use. I was able to get the site up in one day. Making updates, attaching files and photos was very easy to do. Their technical and customer support is great."

- C. Jablonski