NZX Top 50 websites to undergo annual scrutiny

NZX Top 50 websites to undergo annual scrutiny

New Zealand’s best and worst investor websites will be revealed on 4 September 2009.

Now in their third year, the Wired Best Investor Website Awards (BIWA) are designed to encourage the improved usability of New Zealand’s top 50 listed companies’ websites – a significant and under-estimated factor in companies’ investor relations performance.

The survey is conducted by Wired Internet Group in conjunction with usability consultant, Christchurch Polytech lecturer Bruce Russell.

Key aspects are how well a website communicates a company’s purpose, how well it helps users find content and the degree to which it enhances interaction between investors and the listed entity.

NZX Markets Development Manager Geoff Brown said NZX commended Wired Internet Group for their work analysing how NZX 50 Listed Issuers use their websites as a tool to effectively communicate with investors.

“Through this channel companies can provide information to investors as it is available, improve their understanding of the company's story and financial performance and extend reach to new investors," Mr Brown said.Bruce Russell said that at a time when investors are uncertain, companies should be focusing on attracting the attention and increasing the understanding of investors by considering their needs on line.

“Unfortunately New Zealand’s top companies typically focus their websites on marketing and bury their investor relations content,” Mr Russell said.

“This is despite international best practice suggesting that online marketing and investors relations should be separate but equally important strategies online.”

Mr Russell said this year’s survey would show significant movements by those who were getting it right, but a large number of companies are failing to capitalise on the increasingly critical online channel.

Usability is the recognised method of measuring a website’s efficiency in relaying information, its ability to engage its target audience and its effectiveness in eliciting the desired response. In the case of listed companies, this equates to investor support.

ENDS

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