According to publishes DC Thomson, the fully responsive website has a number of technical features, allowing the title to interact better with readers.
The website has an improved online commenting system, making it even easier for readers to discuss breaking news and burning issues, and there are new editorial and sports blogs, allowing readers to interact with journalists and share their views.
www.thecourier.co.uk features breaking news and some exclusive online content including video and audio. Meanwhile, the photo gallery has been redesigned to display pictures in greater depth and detail.
The Courier Editor Richard Neville said the website, which still has its regular mix of local news and features, will supplement and enhance the daily printed edition.
He said, “The Courier website has been redesigned for today’s audience. We feel strongly that reader involvement is an important component of our journalism and we’ve improved many aspects of our website accordingly.
“Our readers can filter content by locale and comment on stories, building an online community regardless of where our readers are based. These developments will help to re-energise the title and allow us to evolve. It also opens up great new opportunities for advertisers.”
More than 6.4M pages have been viewed by over 1M users since www.thecourier.co.uk re-launched in December. Almost 60% are returning visitors, say the publishers.
Richard added, “We already have a strong and loyal online audience but we are confident that the new platform will continue to grow that audience and bring together print and digital into one unbeatable package of news and views from Courier Country.
“The new website will also help us to reach a wider global audience. We have a large expat community and this updated format will open a gateway for our customers across the world and help to grow our international readership.”
The website is fully responsive, automatically adjusting layout and optimising content to suit readers’ digital viewing devices to create a seamless viewing experience.
Head of Digital for Newspapers Kirsten Morrison said, “The widget based website design allows us to update online content quickly. This makes www.thecourier.co.uk more reactive than ever before, and accessible to a wider audience.”
The Courier App is available via the App Store for iPad and iPhone. Readers can subscribe or purchase content on a daily basis.
