When it comes to annual reports, most of us may picture a printed document – pages filled with detailed copy and statistics. But have you considered digital corporate reporting? Were you aware of digital reports? An increasing number of organisations have already made the move, or offer it as an alternative.

No longer just a pdf version of a traditional printed annual report that may have come first, the power and impact of digital reports cannot be underestimated.

We recently worked with the IFoA on the design and build of their annual report, in digital format. Working closely with our client, the team effort was recognised in the Memcom Excellence Awards, winning the Best Annual Report category. Receiving an award from Memcom – the senior leadership network for the professional membership sector – was not only an honour and cause for celebration, but proof of the power of digital corporate reporting.

But if, after years of relying on the traditional printed report format you don’t feel it’s yet time to move to the other side, take a look at the list of benefits we’ve put together below.

1 – Its immediate appeal

A digital report can be accessed by a larger audience, anywhere, faster, or by the curated audience you may have shared a password-protected link with – it’s your choice. A digital annual report creates immediate engagement, and it’s a highly appealing piece of corporate communications thanks to the wide range of possibilities the format offers. A digital report can include multimedia content – video interviews with key stakeholders for example – animated statistics, timelines that come alive, and so much more; the list is endless.

 

2 – They have the power

A digital report lets your audience own their journey through the report, how they experience it. With a website-like navigation that they’ll already be familiar with, audiences can quickly find the topics that matter most to them, sending engagement levels sky high as they interact with the digital report.

3 – Always looking ahead

Choosing a digital report over a printed one tells your audience that you and your organisation look to the future in everything you do, a powerful message that won’t go unnoticed.

4 – Keeping an eye on costs

The benefits of a digital report over a printed one will also reach your budget. With no high volume print runs to consider, or potential mail and fulfilment costs either, your investment in a digital report will go a long way.

5 – The sustainability factor

Without having to explicitly communicate it, choosing a digital report over a printed one speaks volumes, telling your audience that your organisation is committed to sustainability now and in the future.

6 – A real measure

Opting for a digital report allows you to measure how your audience interact with it. Just like with any digital format, you can report on key performance indicators such as number of visits, location of those visits, which device the digital report was accessed from, what sections of the report were most visited, how long visitors spent reading specific content items, what links they clicked on, etc. With all the reporting available, you will be able to make informed decisions on whether certain sections of the digital report should be altered in future editions, or even in the current one.

7 – Attract more

A digital report also offers SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) benefits, so you’ll attract a bigger audience. A digital report, as opposed to a pdf only version that can be downloaded from your website, is seen by search engines as offering a better experience for your audience, with user-friendly website-like navigation and an HTML code build that makes it easier for search engines to crawl, hence improving your ranking position in search results.

8 – Mistakes never happen

No matter how careful and thorough you and your team are, mistakes do sometimes happen. With a digital report, amends can be made in real time as soon as an error has been spotted, almost as it had never happened.

But, if after reading through the list of the benefits of digital corporate reporting you’re still not sure you’re ready to make the jump, you can also count on us to help you with a more traditional printed annual report.