Political Parties Use of Javascript for Website Navigation

JavaScript is an incredible scripting language which is widely used to perform tasks not possible with HTML alone. It can be used to add additional functionality to websites; particularly when used in conjunction with XML to create interactive web applications (e.g. AJAX). One of the most recent (and powerful) examples of AJAX is Google Maps and Flickr - both which tap into the Asynchronous JavaScript and XML to improve the overall interactiveness of the user experience. For more information on AJAX, make sure to read Jesse James Garrett’s article, Ajax: A New Approach to Web Applications

The Down-side of Using Javascript

There are however, some disadvantages to using JavaScript to control certain elements of a website, particularly those elements that are essential to the core operation of the website (e.g. website navigation, contact forms, e-commerce etc.) These disadvantages stem from the fact that Javascript is a client-side scripting language that runs directly in the browser. This reality means if the browser is mis-configured or the user intentionally turns off javascripting (possible for security reasons), the intended effect on the website is rendered useless.

A Quick History of Javascript

While javascript has been around since the early days of the Internet, its use and the complexity of its implementation has increased considerably over time. This increase can generally be attributed to the insatiable demand for great interaction and website functionality from the many internet users and companies who use the Internet. Along with the increased use of Javascript among Internet users and the private sector, political parties have also increased its use on their party and campaign websites. Unfortunately, political party websites are not immune to the many problems associated with Javascript.

The Analysis

Below is a quick assessment of the use of JavaScript in terms of navigation for national party websites of the major political parties in Canada.

The Results

Looking at the results above, you can see the websites of the New Democratic Party and Green Party were the only sites that did not implement any javascript into the navigational elements, and thus avoided the complications that often rise with its use. In the case of the Bloc Québécois, Conservative and Liberals party websites, the website navigation was only partially affected, however, significant postions of the website were unaccessable.

The Consequences of Javascript Use

Considering available browser statistics list anywhere from between 5 percent to 10 percent of Internet users have Javascript turned off in their browser, a considerable portion of visitors to the Conservative, Liberal, and Bloc Québécois websites would be unable to use those party websites in an effective manner. It is also important to consider that many of the Internet search engines spiders, which are used to collect important information about the website, are unable to read javascript - which means a party website that uses Javascript in their navigation is not going to get the proper exposed in terms of search engine results.

Conclusions

No website - whether political or commerical - should use Javascript in navigational elements. Javascript has its place on the Internet, but it should only be used when the pros and cons have been carefully weighed. Political parties should remember that a website is more than just a communication outlet. In many cases, the party website is the only real interaction a party may have with a potential supporter. To provide a website that is not functional to 5 to 10 percent of users is a major oversight.