The Insight Index trade directory was launched in January 2012 to provide the window, door and conservatory industry with a single source of supplier information, and the service is now receiving over 10,000 views per month.

“The window industry is valued at some £3.5billion, yet the only directory of suppliers that existed was a badly out-of-date printed directory with virtually no information and only a handful of suppliers listed” says Insight’s commercial director Helen Costeloe-Hughes.

As the data providers for the industry, Insight Data decided to develop a new online portal that would provide the industry with one central supplier source, continuously updated.

The portal was built from scratch with a specialist team of software designers, SEO experts and web developers along with an entire team of marketing professionals to promote the service.

Suppliers list their company details, products, accreditations, trade names and contact details. In addition, they can provide technical and other PDF downloads, add their latest news and press releases, and feature their company and product videos. Suppliers also have a unique web address so that they can promote their listings on the Index via their website, marketing material and stationery.

Visitors use the Insight Index to find products, services and latest industry news. They can contact suppliers through the dedicated enquiry form or more often, click-through to the suppliers website. The Index adds considerable SEO benefit to suppliers websites.

iPhone App

With over 53% of all internet searches now carried out on a mobile, Insight’s management team decided to invest in a full iPhone App for the Index. Launched April this year, the App was recently showcased by Apple in their Business Section.

“The iPhone App has proved a real game changer” explains Helen; “users can browse the latest product and supplier information while watching TV, read the latest industry news, and even save supplier details to their ‘favourites’ area to revisit later.”

But the biggest buzz around the Index iPhone App is video. Users of the App can watch suppliers corporate and product videos using the iPhone’s video facilities, directly from within the App, then contact suppliers using the integrated contact form.

The Index is backed by an extensive marketing campaign which includes full page press advertising across all the trade magazines, national direct mail, and the industry’s largest e-newsletter – Index Engage – which is delivered to 45,000 recipients across the window and building industry each month, showcasing particular suppliers and products.

Like any new web or online technology the Index has taken time to get established and for people to use it. But it is now gained major traction and Insight Data are already working on the next version of the Index which promises to have even more features.

To visit the Insight Index and search for products and suppliers visit www.insightindex.co.uk or to download the new Index iPhone App, https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/insight-index/id592113433?mt=8