Over 200,000 Subscribers Say The Which? Website Is Worth Paying For

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 11, 2008 – Contrary to conventional wisdom, which.co.uk (http://www.which.co.uk ), has been successfully charging subscribers for access to some online content since it was launched in 1996.  This year it enjoyed impressive subscriber growth, approaching 20 per cent, in the face of growing numbers of review and comparison websites.  

This week which.co.uk (http://www.which.co.uk ), announces a site redesign, which will give subscribers(‘members’) and other visitors access to a sophisticated interactive site. There will be more advice, more reviews and the opportunity to compare prices and buy the products they’ve found out about, all through a single website.  

Traditionally, Which? has kept most of its premium content behind a subscription barrier. Following the redesign all visitors to the site will be able to access much more of Which?’s product information.  Paying members will continue to have access to full testing information, ‘first looks’ at new products and exclusive up-to-date content**.

Jess Ross, Editor, which.co.uk (http://www.which.co.uk ),, says:

“It’s a really exciting time to be at which.co.uk. Membership and visitor numbers continue to grow and the redesign will offer people the chance to find the best products at the best price and make sure they get the most from Which? advice. It’s all about putting the consumer at the heart of our online offering.”

Chris Gardner, Commercial Director, Which?, says:

“Which? is not for profit, and we don’t take advertising, so we need to charge for our information to ensure we can continue to research and campaign on behalf of all consumers.  The continued rise in which.co.uk’s membership demonstrates that, despite there being more information available for free online than ever before, people are willing to pay for information that they value.

“Which? research is the most robust and the most reliable you’ll find, and we’re independent, so people know they can trust our reviews to be completely honest. We’ve used the redesign of which.co.uk to make our advice and research accessible to more consumers, and to make the shopping experience more convenient so they can now purchase products, all at the click of a button.”  

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Notes to editors

For further information or an interview with which.co.uk, contact Nicole Sheinman on 0207 770 7564 or nicole.sheinman@which.co.uk

*Total figure is 216,723, including 21,904 trialists.
**Product and services reports that are published solely for subscribers to which.co.uk

Which? is the leading independent consumer champion in the UK, providing up to date, impartial, expert information on thousands of products and services to help make individuals as powerful as the organisations they have to deal with in their daily lives.  To find out more visit www.which.co.uk