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by The Notified Team on May 15, 2024 8:38:03 PM
Does your investor relations website need an update?
According to recent research, while 80% of IROs said IR sites are an effective tool for engaging investors, only 65% of investors said they find these sites useful when looking to invest in a new company.
Although IROs and investors have complaints, there is overwhelming agreement that IR websites are key to corporate storytelling success. But even still, some sites are missing the mark.
An outdated or poorly designed site can hinder your ability to effectively communicate. This could make investors lose trust in your company – which could be reflected in your stock price.
To help you decide, we pulled together an essential checklist featuring the latest best practices.
IR Website Design Checklist
By following these steps, you can secure a true partner who follows the latest best practices and provides exceptional service - not just another vendor.
✅ Accessibility
Does your website meet the latest accessibility standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and navigate your site without barriers?
Why Is Accessibility So Important?
Accessibility is crucial for IR websites because it ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and navigate the site, promoting inclusivity and inviting a broader range of investors.
Furthermore, having an accessible website reflects positively on your company, demonstrating your commitment to diversity and equal access, which in turn enhances trust with investors and stakeholders.
Accessible financial information fosters transparency, boosting investor confidence as it becomes easier for everyone to access crucial data, thus attracting potential investors.
✅ Branding
Does your IR website accurately reflect your current brand identity - including your company's logo, color scheme and messaging?
Why Is Consistent Branding So Important?
Branding establishes and maintains a strong corporate identity, fosters trust and ensures a consistent experience for investors and stakeholders.
A well-defined brand identity actively implants trust and credibility, making it easier for investors and stakeholders to actively recognize and differentiate the company from its competitors.
Consistency in branding across all platforms, including the IR website, actively cultivates familiarity and reinforces the company's values and messaging. A strong brand presence enhances investor engagement by offering a visually appealing and user-friendly experience.
✅ Engaging Content
Is your website user-friendly, visually appealing and engaging for visitors? Is the information on your IR website up-to-date, accurate and informative for investors?
Why Is Engaging Content So Important?
Gone are the days when making information downloadable is enough. Investors want facts at their fingertips and are voicing a clear preference for digital interactivity and in-page content.
A recent Brunswick survey ranked the top four areas of IR sites starting with the highest in terms of importance:
- Stock price
- Digital interactive quarterly/annual reports
- In-page ESG materials
- Interactive investor presentations
To get the most from your site, you need to make a quick impression, be visual and make life easy.
✅ Mobile Friendly
Is your IR website user friendly for mobile users?
Why Is a Mobile-Friendly Site So Important?
As more people spend the majority of their time on smartphones and tablets, ensuring that your IR website is mobile-friendly becomes essential.
✅ Scalability
Can your website handle your company's growth and increasing traffic without compromising performance or functionality?
Why Is Scalability So Important?
Scalability is vital for IR sites because it ensures your website can accommodate the company's growth and increasing traffic - without compromising performance or functionality.
As your business expands and attracts more investors and stakeholders, the IR website must be capable of handling the additional traffic and potential updates seamlessly.
Without scalability, the website may experience slowdowns, crashes or functionality issues during periods of high demand, leading to a poor user experience and potentially damaging the company's reputation.
✅ Analytics
Do you have robust analytics tools in place to track user behavior, website performance and key metrics such as page views, bounce rates and conversion rates?
Why Are Robust Analytics So Important?
Receiving important data about how your site performs, such as how many people visit and how long they stay, helps you see what's working well and what needs fixing. This information helps you make smart choices about how to make your website better in the future.
It helps you evaluate the impact of IR efforts, track the success of investor outreach initiatives and demonstrate the value of your IR website to stakeholders.
✅ Security
Does your platform offer robust security features, such as SSL/TLS encryption, to protect sensitive data and ensure the privacy and confidentiality of investor information?
Why Is a Focus on Security So important?
In an era of increasing cybersecurity threats – such as deepfake scams - prioritizing website security is essential to protect against potential breaches or unauthorized access to confidential financial data, sensitive communications and other proprietary information.
Maintaining a secure IR website not only protects the integrity of investor information but also upholds the company's reputation for trustworthiness, reliability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Failure to prioritize security can result in severe consequences, including financial loss, reputational damage, legal liabilities and erosion of investor confidence.
If you answered "NO" to any of these, it might be time to consider a redesign.
A modern IR site can:
- Enhance investor confidence with a professional and user-friendly experience.
- Improve communication and engagement with stakeholders.
- Increase website traffic and brand awareness.
- Comply with accessibility standards and regulations.
And with Notified, you can partner with the undisputed IR communications leader.
Today, we support 3,100+ client websites – including some of the world’s largest brands and newest IPOs.
Choose Notified for Your IR Website Redesign
When you work with Notified, you get:
- Best-in-class, modern design
- Enterprise-level security
- 24/7/365 service and support
- Experienced in-house team
- Complete services for earnings and investor communications
Contact us today to learn more!