The site redesign will be undertaken by Rounddot.com, 10Media’s in-house design agency, and will aim to increase the site’s accessibility features for mature web users while continuing to expand its range of ad formats.

The redesign will concentrate on promoting the changing content of the site, which is updated daily, while increasing the options open to advertisers. More prominent skyscrapers and better integrated channel offers are high on the redesign agenda.

50Connect believe the site’s redesign will be a key factor in increasing visitor numbers to the site from its current 947,000 unique monthly visitors.

50Connect also plan to introduce a personalised element into the site redesign so that users can choose which type of content – from travel guides to pet advice - they want to feature more prominently on the site.

The redesign will also enable 50Connect to use less bandwidth and load faster, as well as offering compatibility with all future web browsers.

“Redesigning the site to meet the needs of our users, while also widening our appeal to advertisers, will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to our continued success,” comments Mike Hawes, 50Connect Operations Director.

50Connect, whose current advertisers include Tesco, Udate and Lloyds TSB, will also look to make the new site more compatible with rich media ads, a format not traditionally used to target mature web users. 

“As the over-50s become more accustomed to the web and various forms of online advertising, the opportunities to run more sophisticated campaigns like rich media are likely to increase,” continues Mr. Hawes. “The redesign will make the site more compatible for running such campaigns in the future.”

The newly designed site is planned for launch in early July 2005.