QUISA Comparison of Applicability of Websites of IRNA, ISNA and Fars News Agencies from User's Perspective

The growth momentum of the number of websites in Iran has been much more rapid than their quality improvement. In conditions that internet-based social media have turned into a significant source of news dissemination, the key news agencies need to, in addition to paying attention to content, consider principles in designing and launching their websites, so that the content would be released in the best way possible. These principles are generally placed in applicability category.
This article is to assess the applicability of IRNA, ISNA, and Fars News Agency websites, while data about the feelings and evaluation of users towards them have been collected in accordance with semantic distinction method by answering questions in quizzes. Then, by calculating the average score for each news agency, and designing profile, the position of each website from users’ point of satisfaction has been compared with the other two. The researchers also analyzed in this paper the theoretical framework of the websites, trying to evaluate and explain the feelings and experiences of users. Based on the findings of this study, it was established that although ISNA scored the highest among the three news agencies in terms of total satisfaction score, the fact remains that the agency has gained only 64 percent of users’ expressed satisfaction. Meanwhile, IRNA and Fars News Agency, gaining 58 percent and 53 percent of users’ satisfaction respectively, have not been very successful in obtaining users’ consent.
In the end, some suggestions have been proposed to improve the applicability of these websites, including optimal use of horizontal menus and removal of animated advertising banners.