Belfast Telegraph website posts record traffic

The Belfast Telegraph's website has posted record traffic figures, setting new benchmarks for page impressions and unique users.

Independent HBX traffic analysis showed the site attracted 9.3 million page impressions in March compared to 3.1 million in March 2008 — a 200 per cent increase. Unique users for the same period were up from 592,000 to 1.1 million

The results, according to Online Editor Jerome Crolly, were buoyed by strong local news and sport content as well as the launch of the new online jobs site nijobfinder.

“Local and national news forms the backbone of our content,” said Mr Crolly.

“Our coverage of the St Patrick’s Day parade, Holylands disturbances and the Ireland’s journey to Grand Slam triumph combined all the ingredients which set the internet apart as a source of information - video footage, extensive pictorial galleries and a comment platform for users to vent their spleen.”

The continuing growth in user generated content, he said, had helped consolidate belfasttelegraph.co.uk s position as the most popular forum for debate in Northern Ireland. However, the comment facility was “much more than just a soapbox for users”.

“In March we made to decision to offer the facility for a very different purpose.

“Our coverage of the tragic events at Masserene Barracks and the death of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll included an online book of condolence – affording relatives, friends and members of the public the opportunity to pay a personal tribute. Similar books were opened for Natasha Richardson and Jade Goody. Messages are still being posted from around the world.”

The Belfast Telegraph’s digital operation, which was named CIPR News Website of the Year last month, has also been nominated for Electronic News Site of the Year at the 2009 Newspaper Awards.

“This nomination is particularly flattering because it puts belfasttelegraph.co.uk up against some of the some of the best internet news sites in the world including the BBC news, the Guardian and the Times,” said Mr Crolly.

The introduction of our new recruitment site niJobFinder.co.uk also contributed to the increase in traffic on the site.

“With a view to increasing candidate flow the Belfast Telegraph has aligned its recruitment platforms under one brand creating a single proposition for readers and recruiters alike,” said Commercial Director Simon Mann.

niJobFinder runs every Tuesday with Public Sector jobs, every Friday with Private Sector opportunities, in Sunday Life and on www.nijobfinder.co.uk every day of the week.

The focus for nijobfinder is to match employers with employees and jobseekers with jobs. The new look web site offers greater functionality to ensure that job seekers are kept up to date with all relevant opportunities.

"In these challenging times increasing candidate flow for advertisers and enhancing jobseeker experience by making them aware of relevant vacancies is very important,” said Mr Mann

“By combining the power of print advertising both in terms of reach and reputation with emerging digital technology we can now deliver a total recruitment solution in Northern Ireland"