shareUpdate: Results of 2009 User Survey
Date: 11/17/2009
A recent survey found the overwhelming majority of users think is VPAP a trusted, timely, and unbiased source of information about money in Virginia politics.
The 621 people who completed the online survey between October 5-22 also put forward more than 200 suggestions on how to improve the site.
"Some of these suggestions are real head-slappers -- 'Why didn't we think of that before?'" said David Poole, VPAP's executive director. "The survey is like having hundreds of human "bots" scour the site and telling us what we could do better and what else they'd like to see."
VPAP has implemented several suggestions (including making links to legislative district maps more prominent) and is preparing a punch list of further action.
In addition, VPAP staff is following up with smart-phone users to see how VPAP.org might work better on hand-held devices and contacting dissatisfied users to find out what VPAP can do to improve their experience.
Below is a summary of the survey results:
Geographical Breakdown - Virginia Visitors
| Central Virginia | 167 | 29% |
| Northern Virginia | 160 | 28% |
| Hampton Roads | 189 | 15% |
| Piedmont | 67 | 12% |
| Valley of Virginia | 52 | 9% |
| Southside Virginia | 22 | 4% |
| Southwest Virginia | 20 | 3% |
How Long Have You Been Coming to VPAP?
| More than 3 Years | 218 | 35% |
| 1-3 Years | 191 | 31% |
| A Few Months | 73 | 12% |
| This is my first visit! | 139 | 22% |
| VPAP.org is: | Agree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|
| Timely | 97% | 3% |
| Accurate | 97% | 3% |
| Fair and Unbiased | 99% | 1% |
| Easy to Navigate | 96% | 4% |
| Well Documented | 97% | 3% |
| My First Choice for Campaign Finance | 96% | 4% |
Please rank the following new services that VPAP might provide:
| Donors to Congressional Candidates | 878 |
| Total Giving by Company/Employees | 975 |
| More Local Elections | 992 |
| Information About Smaller PACs that Disclose on Paper | 1221 |
| Easier Way to Print Pages | 1454 |
| Easier to Read on Handheld Devices | 1529 |
Note: Lowest Aggregate Score indicates Highest Priority
Do you access the internet on your cell phone?
| Yes | 38% |
| No | 62% |