Corporate website design standards 'increasing'

Standards of design used in creating corporate websites are increasing, a new Investis IQ report has indicated.

The group suggested that as more firms are working to regain the trust of their stakeholders amid the global economic crisis, they are turning to their websites to improve corporate governance disclosure and investor relations content.

The survey assessed FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies on approximately 200 criteria gauging website performance and quality.

While it noted that standards are improving across the board - with the website for Royal Dutch Shell ranked as the top corporate website in the UK - it suggested there are a number of things firms can do to improve their online presence.

For example, scores for Web 2.0 and interactivity investment for the last quarter remain largely unchanged. Investis director Al Loehnis suggested that clear communication from managers could be key to providing businesses with a competitive online advantage.

The Chicago Tribune reported today that a number of businesses in the city are turning to social media sources as a form of online marketing.

One consultant suggested that taking a casual approach on sites such as Facebook and Twitter is likely to produce the best results.

Written by Tim Dunton