HiQ finalists in online awards

HiQ has been nominated as a finalist in the Retail Website or Campaign category of the prestigious DADI Awards (The Drum Awards for the Digital Industries), which take place at the Emirates Stadium London on 8 November.

The nomination for HiQ’s retail website www.HiQonline.co.uk recognises its marked success following the significant enhancements made to the website in January 2012. The website, which is a core component of HiQ’s ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ proposition, has already attracted over 400,000 visits to HiQonline.co.uk, and over 1.8 million page views up to June  

From January to June 2011 versus the same period in 2012, visits are up by 46.55 per cent to www.HiQonline.co.uk on last year, achieving 48.20 per cent more unique visits, 60.95 per cent more page views and yielding a reduction in bounce rate of 11.90 per cent. Having launched the ratings and reviews functionality this May on www.HiQonline.co.uk, HiQ has received 239 reviews, 188 of which have been five star reviews.  

New mobile website

Responding to customer demand, the website has been further enhanced this month as HiQ unveiled what it says is the first mobile-friendly website in the tyre industry. The development comes after the percentage of customers using a handheld device to access the HiQ Online website rose dramatically from 10 per cent to 30 per cent. Apple devices account for 70 per cent of all mobile devices used, however the greatest increase has been in the use of iPads with an increase of 272 per cent over the last 12 months. 

The mobile site allows users to search for the best tyre to suit the make and model of their car by entering their car registration number if they don’t have their tyre size to hand. Consumers can also browse all MOT, parts and servicing deals then find their nearest HiQ Centres to book their fitting or service.  The mobile site also provides access to the HiQ tyre pressure guide to ensure customers existing tyres are as safe and fuel-efficient as possible.

Geraldine McGovern, HiQ Create demand manager, commented: “We have worked hard to really benchmark HiQ against the retail sector, and as such, being nominated as a finalist in the Retail Website or Campaign category of the DADI Awards has real significance for the team at HiQ.  

“We are constantly striving to make improvements to www.HiQonline.co.uk, and a case in point is the recent development of our mobile site which came about having received 80,000 visits from mobile devices following the improvements to the website earlier this year. 

“We realised that there was real demand for a mobile version – and also a business case.By optimising the purchase journey for customers, HiQ’s new mobile site increases conversion and drives greater footfall to the retail network of franchises, which totals 140 across the UK.”

In a market that was down 12 per cent year on year (source GFK to November 2011), HiQ outperformed the sector by +4 per cent in 2011, and tyre sales increased by 5.3 per cent thanks to the improved website.  More than 6,000 online bookings have also been made since the service launched which can be attributed to users wanting to make better informed decisions before parting with hard earned cash.