A new era for the Island’s leading news website has begun following the completion of a series of significant investments over the past 6 weeks.
Readers will know that a new version of the website – which sees up to 3million page views a month – went live at the end of August, marking the first makeover for www.islandecho.co.uk in over 6 years.
The new website offers a refreshed, cleaner design that is more in tune with modern trends and expectations. Responsiveness and accessibility have been key considerations in the site’s development over the past 12 months and care has been taken to ensure that advertisements don’t hinder the user experience.
A commitment to not introducing a paywall has been reaffirmed, ensuring that news is accessible to all without charge.
Island Echo has also recently moved to a new home, maintaining a presence in the company’s hometown of Ryde by joining the thriving business community at Fortis House. The new, modern newsroom is geared up for the planned expansion of the editorial team, which in turn will only enhance the news offering.
Rounding off the recent series of investments is the appointment of the company’s first-ever commercial manager. Carl Atkinson-Goffe joined the company at the start of September and will lead Island Echo into 2025 and beyond, working with both new and existing clients to ensure their marketing strategies excel.
Carl, who has worked in the local media industry for the past 8 years, brings with him a wealth of experience and innovative ideas.
Darren Toogood, Editor/Publisher of Island Echo, says:
“The trio of the new offices, new website and our first-ever commercial manager will help take Island Echo to the next level, at a time when the local news market is changing at rapid pace.
“Our investment will ensure we continue to deliver all the latest Island news as it happens – first, fast and free – for many years to come. Whilst others are diminishing, we are only growing and cementing our position as market leaders. A new era has begun.
“We continue to diversify our output to include more community, heritage and sport coverage, but remain true to our roots by publishing breaking news as it happens, 24 hours a day. Last year alone we published a staggering 6,500 news articles”.
