12 tips for creating an investor-friendly IR website

Investor relations (IR) is an essential part of any company’s strategy to communicate with its investors and maintain a healthy relationship with them. One of the key channels for IR is the company’s IR website, which serves as the primary source of information for investors looking to understand the company’s financial performance and strategy. In this article, we’ll explore the top 9 points to consider when creating an effective IR website that can help your company engage with investors and achieve its capital markets objectives.

1. Allow straight-forward access to the IR section from the company’s website

To ensure that investors can easily access the IR section of your website, it’s important to make it prominently visible. This can be done by including a link to the IR section in the main navigation menu or by including a button or call-to-action (CTA) on the website that brings the investor directly to the IR section. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that your IR section has a clear and logical structure, with information being organised in a way that is easy to navigate. Findability of information will be part of the investors’ decision-making process.

2. Make information easy to find

Investors are primarily interested in obtaining key information, and if the website is difficult to navigate or the relevant information is challenging to locate, it can create a negative impression. Therefore, ensure that the website’s landing page features a “Latest publications” section that includes the latest investor presentation and annual report, as well as your most recent press releases.

3. Keep it simple

Overloading your IR page with unnecessary information can be counterproductive. Only include information that’s essential for investors, as most of them are likely to be interested in getting a quick overview of your investment case or latest publications.

4. Provide relevant information that aligns with your investor’s journey

Understanding your investors and how they are aligned with your investment case is mission-critical in providing relevant information. Publish analyst consensus of your most important financial figures, alongside your guidance, to help investors understand your business’s financials.

5. Avoid generic language

Generic language can turn off investors. Your equity story should be precise, avoiding technical jargon that may confuse potential investors. Mention specific and measurable goals to ensure that investors understand your industry and strategy.

6. Consider using videos to communicate financial results and other essential information

Using videos to communicate financial results and other important information can be a great way to get investors involved. Animated numbers and visual representations of financial data can be more appealing than traditional press releases.

7. Showcase your ESG efforts

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are becoming increasingly important to investors. Providing information on your company’s ESG efforts can help demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. This information can include your company’s policies, targets, and initiatives related to ESG factors. Additionally, consider providing links to relevant reports or resources on your website to help investors better understand your company’s stance on ESG issues.

8. Provide a section for frequently asked questions (FAQs)

An FAQs section on your IR website can be helpful in addressing common questions and concerns that investors may have. This section can cover a range of topics such as financial results, corporate governance, and strategy. Providing clear and concise answers to these questions can help investors understand your company better and make informed investment decisions. Additionally, having an FAQs section can reduce the number of inquiries that your IR team receives, freeing up valuable time to focus on more complex or specific questions.

9. Make your contact details easily accessible

Investors often want to connect with the company’s management to learn more about its goals, strategy, and vision. Therefore, the website should provide easily accessible and comprehensive contact information of the IR team.

10. Ensure that the website is mobile-friendly

Investors are constantly on the move and need easy access to information, even on their mobile phones. Ensure that your website is visually appealing and smooth to navigate on both desktops and mobile devices. 

11. Provide a financial calendar

Providing an investor relations calendar on your website is a must-have nowadays. This calendar should include all relevant events such as earnings calls, roadshows, conferences, and other key dates that investors may be interested in. Having this information on hand can help investors plan ahead and stay informed.

12. Engage with investors to gain feedback on your IR website

Ask about their experience and any issues they may have faced. A website evolves continuously, and feedback can help improve the investor experience.

In conclusion, an effective IR website is critical to communicating a company’s financial performance, strategy, and vision to investors. By considering these 12 top tips, you can create an IR website that engages investors and helps you in achieving your capital market objectives. If you want to learn more about improving your IR website, get in touch with us, and we’ll analyse your IR section and provide you with recommendations.