FTAdviser.com

Advertising

Plus points...

This website has a simple design and is easy to navigate. It gives the right amount of information and covers most things in a concise and clear way. Contact details are clearly visible on the front page and include a mobile phone number for the practice principal. Qualifications of the advisers are also given. There is a section that lists the different services. In the mortgage section, the website gives a brief outline of the different repayment options available, there is a mortgage calculator and the firm also highlights they expect payment either by fee or commission. There are other online tools such as a jargon buster and an online enquiry form. The literature on the website suggests a friendly and personalised approach to the way the firm conducts its business. The website stresses personal and independent financial advice. There is also a magazine review of the website that gives the firm added credibility. The website appears top of the list when searched for using Google, Yahoo and Ask.

Could do better... Unfortunately the website does not have any client testimonials, which would be a benefit. Also the mortgage section could be a bit broader in its scope of mortgages and might actually confuse someone who is just looking for an introduction into all the options available to them.

Rating 3/5 stars

West Riding Personal Financial Solutions Ltd, Castleford, www.wrpfs.com

Plus points... The front page of this website offers a lot of information about the advisers and their background and how the firm works. A fairly long introduction explains what an IFA is, how the process of getting advice works and how they expect to be paid, by fee or commission. The firm offers 24/7 advice, which is unusual, claiming they will answer calls from clients any time of the day or night. The website has a section that lists and explains the FSA guidelines for treating customers fairly and there is a list of the services on which they can offer advice. A whole link is dedicated to explaining exactly what being an independent adviser actually means and it also offers online calculators. There are thorough contact details for the firm, including an online enquiry form. To enforce the firm's reputation, there is also a selection of client testimonials that sing the praises of West Riding. The website appears top of the page when searched for using Google and Ask.

Could do better... Information wise, there is little this website could do to improve itself. However, the design and layout could be better. The text is rather heavy to read and the colour scheme is dull and off-putting. The layout occasionally feels a bit cluttered but these are just design flaws that could be easily rectified. The website did not appear on Yahoo.

Rating 4/5 stars