Launched over a decade ago, Health24 has always been a trusted source of health information and is the “go-to” portal for nearly a million monthly unique browsers (January 2013 international Effective Measure stats). This month, it received a facelift to provide additional editorial tools, multimedia and a focus on interactive elements for users.
The mammoth task of mining the over 300 000 Q&A’s answered by medical experts (600 000 answered by other readers), collapsing the content sub-sections into a simpler navigation bar, enhancing the Expert Forums and simplifying the Condition Centres has resulted in a new site that offers much more functionality than previously offered.
“Health information is ‘lean forward’ information. Users are intently keen to understand medical conditions when it affects them and their families, or find healthier ways to live,” says Health24 managing director Dr Danie Pauw. “We now have a stronger focus on lifestyle sections, daily health news and tips. Our popular Condition Centres around common ailments and Wellness Centres provide our readers with up-to-date and in-depth health content.”
Gustav Goosen, CEO of The SpaceStation, the digital media sales company who exclusively represent Health24, says the changes have also resulted in an “increase in Search Engine Optimisation and for advertisers, more strategic positioning of their brands with a bigger advertorial canvas and new ad spot opportunities, such as a larger leaderboard, that allow appropriate brands to “own their category”.
Editor Adele Hamilton believes health encompasses everything from weight loss to schizophrenia. “The new site has been designed with ease-of-search in mind, enabling users to easily access the most comprehensive answers to their questions in an online environment. In our opinion Health24 provides the best possible platform for both users and advertisers to engage.”
