The Evening Standard has unveiled a redesign of its website and announced ambitious plans to double its online audience and revenue over the coming year.
The newspaper, which will see the departure of editor Geordie Greig for the Mail on Sunday next month, is hoping to capitalise on the London Olympics and the world-wide attention on the UK's capital.
To this end it has launched a dedicated Olympics section on the website and a new ‘Going Out' section aimed at both Londoners and visitors. Featured critics include food reviewer Fay Maschler, arts and theatre writer Richard Godwin and bar blogger ‘Bar Chick'.
The new Standard.co.uk includes a strong social media element and full integration with Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in and Google+ accounts. After registering, users will be able to comment on articles and rate other users' comments via new digital platform Gigya.
Online editor Neil Hunter said: 'The redesign of the site allows us to give Londoners, and visitors to the capital, all the content they need to experience and explore one of the greatest cities in the world, particularly in the lead up to London 2012."
Zach Leonard, managing director (digital) for The Independent and London Evening Standard said: "The launch of the redesigned site demonstrates London Evening Standard's growth-driven digital strategy and is a natural extension of our status as London's paper.
'This digital evolution provides advertisers with the opportunity to target an increased, quality audience."
Charlotte Ross, Assistant Editor (Features and Online), London Evening Standard said: "We are really excited to bring the best of London Evening Standard into the newly designed site. The ‘Going Out' section will provide an unrivalled guide to the best the city has to offer in 2012."
Standard.co.uk had 4.1m unique browsers in January according to ABC.
Click here to visit the new Evening Standard website. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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