Benefits
Benefits of online annual reports
In 2006 the Australian Government ruled that listed companies need only send printed copies of annual reports to investors who specifically request them and that the online annual report available from the company website would be the default option.
Online opens the possibilities
Online reports are beginning to take the lead as the shareholder communication channel of choice. With improvements in internet accessibility, connection speeds and computer performance, the possibilities for a fully interactive and multimedia experience are increasing.
The days of a large PDF document download are over. These are too time consuming to download, difficult to view on screen and wasteful to print out. Producing an interactive online annual report can save money and time by reducing print run and postage requirements. The bonus is that online reports are also environmentally friendly.
Most stakeholders prefer online reports as they are accessible at all times, whether at work, at home, or on the bus. Improvements in mobile communications provide access to information at any time, anywhere.
Benefits of HTML annual reports
The online annual report should be more than just a replica of the printed document. The benefits of the online medium allow the document to bring additional content, functionality and services.
- Fast-loading pages
- Easy to access and read online as a web page
- User-friendly navigation and hyperlinking to relevant sections
- Easy to search for keywords
- Copy, paste and share content easily
- Added-value information can be provided, such as Excel financial downloads
- Page analytics to track viewer reader habits and referring links
- Added functionality with page scripting and Flash interactive graphics
- Engaging multimedia – video and sound, Flash interactive presentations
- Interconnection to the entire internet – blogs, social bookmarking, Twitter, etc
A PDF file of the annual report is ideal for when investors want to print out and read, or store offline, and should always be provided as easy-to-download sections of the report.
How do I encourage interest in the online report?
Precinct can design a communications plan that will encourage uptake of your online report by shareholders, analysts and others. We can show you how to notify shareholders when the online report will be available. You can encourage email address sign-up by issuing a personalised communication from the Chairperson. You should take the opportunity to offer a dedicated e-communications section within the investor areas of the site. Revisits could be encouraged by offering new and timely content updates. And finally, offer multiple options to “opt in” to the online report.