Independent unveils new-look website

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 23-Jan-08, 12:25

LONDON - The Independent has relaunched its website with a fresh design, improved navigation and more features, including a sound and vision section.

The new site, which was developed by Netherlands-based agency Getronics, aims to let users interact with the brand more easily, as well as the journalists and commercial partners.

Independent.co.uk now has several new sections, including art and architecture, fashion, gadgets and tech, and health and wellbeing. It will also be extending its use of images across the site, with an expanding range of galleries and graphics.

The functionality of blogs, forums, user-generated polls and video has been improved, while The Independent's iconic 50 Best features and the daily 10 Best series have been brought together under an IndyBest microsite with exclusive video and audio content.

Monthly music magazine Independent Music will now be promoted online with an audio player featuring music from the magazine and a download service provided in partnership with 7 Digital.

Other affiliate partners that Independent.co.uk has signed up include: Viagogo, which will provide a secondary sports and arts ticketing service; Green.tv, which will supply a range of environmental films; Nestoria, which runs an interactive property search; and Experteer, which will run an advanced recruitment search for senior executives.

Independent executives said the improvements to the site are just the beginning of its online expansion.

Bill Swanson, general manager of Independent's New Ventures division, said: "This is very much the first step of many to come. The technology and platform will create an environment, which allows us to continue to improve content and functionality.

"It will transform the user experience and will provide more flexibility for our advertisers to reach The Independent's unique online audience with a larger inventory, and new ways to interact with users."

The site was due to relaunch late last year but was delayed reportedly due to technical difficulties.

Simon Kelner, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said: "I am very excited about the launch of the new Independent website, which, as well as showcasing the best of Independent journalism, has a wealth of new features and multi-media additions that are a valuable extension to the paper's print offering."

The site will look familiar to readers of the Irish Independent, also owned by Independent News & Media, with the Irish website using a similar design since May 2007.