MarketWatch has a new look

The online financial news site MarketWatch unveiled a new look for its Web site on Wednesday, and editor Dave Callaway explained the changes in a column.

Callaway wrote, “The mock-ups of the MarketWatch front page for our first major redesign in five years came in all shapes and sizes and explored all varieties of Internet news display. There were vertical story headlines, horizontal scrolling news, embedded video, featured product modules — you name it. But in the end, only one look really stood out.

“That’s the look that gives you more news and information, and we proudly present it to you today.

“Unlike most site redesigns, which seek to cram more promotions and bells and whistles onto the home page, we’ve expanded the amount of space on our front page for breaking news, analysis, commentary and personal investment tools. After all, that’s why you come to MarketWatch.

“And we’ve done so without dramatically altering the things you love most about us — from the large headline at the top of the site; to the Latest News module, with more than 1,400 headlines, Market Pulse items and stories rolling through per day; to the Today Inside MarketWatch column with all your favorite writers, like Bambi Francisco, Jon Friedman and Herb Greenberg.”

Read more here. Like the redesign of the Bloomberg News web site last week, I think this is a great improvement, although I would like to see a link to Bambi and Herb’s blogs on the home page and can’t find it easily if it is there.