You need to be online to be relevant in today’s digital market. But having a website isn’t something you can set and forget.

Beyond the constant need for maintenance to guarantee reliable uptime, your site needs regular updates to ensure you consistently present a strong, engaging brand.

Here are three reasons you need to refine your IR website today.

1. First Impressions Matter

When it comes to first impressions, they matter just as much on the Internet as they do in real life. And like many face-to-face encounters, it doesn’t take long for visitors to get a feel for your company through your IR site.

On average, people make these subconscious decisions in about 10 seconds. That means you have to make an impression in less time than it takes to brew a cup of coffee.

With a timeline like this, a first impression has nothing to do with your performance on the market, and everything to do with design.

After all, people can’t do a thorough background check and comparison of your financials in 10 seconds, but they can assess whether your site looks good and performs well.

Talk to an IR firm about how you can improve your site with beautiful and functional design. They’ll help you craft a clear message and support it with smooth, attractive navigation so people want to click beyond your homepage.

2. Investors Expect to Use Your Site

Your site does a lot of heavy lifting in attracting new investors. According to Brunswick Group’s Digital Investor Survey, a company’s IR site is the most used and most trusted source of info when investigating an issue or making an investment decision.

Your IR site pulls out in front of Google search results, Wikipedia, and YouTube. It leaves behind newsletters and podcasts as the most commonly visited source of information amongst investors.

More still, investors rank corporate IR sites as the most reliable sources of information over other traditional news sources:

With investors placing this much trust in your site, it’s crucial you ensure your website meets their expectations. You’ll want to curate your content in a way that enhances your brand story and clearly outlines your value proposition.

Again, speaking with an IR service specialist can help you design a site that shines a spotlight on all the relevant information without compromising on SEC and GDPR compliance.

3. The Right IR Site Gives Invaluable Insights

Your IR site is more than a vehicle for engagement with new investors and current shareholders. It’s also a backend tool that delivers vital analytics.

A well-designed site identifies and tracks your visitors so that you can understand whether your messaging is making the right impression. And with the right tech, these analytics are easily integrated with existing IR tools.

When you partner with an experienced company to install such a comprehensive IR package, you can also trust that your new IR site comes with appropriate security. Expect no less than SOC-2 Type 2 certified data management to safeguard your site activity.

Bottom Line

In today’s highly connected age, having a functional website is the bare minimum requirement. To capture investor’s interest and convert them into shareholders, you need to elevate your design and content to meet their needs. Consider this a sign to review your site and make sure it’s up to the challenge soon.