This applies to the text only version of its website. Whilst the site was designed with good usability as a priority, ‘WC3’ accreditation recognises the Mortgage Board’s extra effort in making its site accessible for visually impaired users and those with slower computers and older software and browsers.
The website was relaunched in 2002 following a complete re-vamp, which saw the site divided into three separate sections for consumers, mortgage practitioners and the press. Since then it has grown significantly in popularity, and now receives some 25,000 unique visitors per month. In May alone, these visitors generated a record 1.25 million hits.
The most popular downloads are ‘You and your mortgage’ leaflet and The Mortgage Code booklet. The average visitor stays on the site for around eleven minutes, highlighting the interest and value of the information it contains.
Luke March, chief executive, the MCCB, said: “We are delighted with the WC3 accessibility accreditation – it is recognition of the Mortgage Board’s effort in making the website user-friendly to all our visitors. The success of the website has been proven with a record number of hits for May and we are extremely pleased that consumers continue to turn to the site for important information, along with the press and mortgage advisers.”
