Especially in the area of facts and figures, the digital medium can specifically leverage its capabilities. Compared to traditional tables, diverse content formats such as interactive graphics, animated diagrams, explainer videos, or other visualizations convey complex topics and content faster, clearer, and more comprehensibly.

Numbers are one thing. The people and stories behind the numbers are another; they are the central factor. The digital annual report provides you with an optimal environment not only to present yourself with numbers but also to showcase your story, values, and visions.

With the digital annual report, your figures and information are where they are needed. At any time. In any place. Around the clock. And also for interested parties you might never have considered. This expands your target audience. Furthermore, you can selectively share information on individual topics and areas and no longer have to send the entire annual report. Tailored information. Always and everywhere.

Those who seek will find – without having to flip through many pages. Thanks to search functions, the digital annual report enables quick and precise information retrieval. Data and figures can be easily researched and prepared. Your company becomes more transparent and open. In addition to the search result, you also have the option to directly refer to related and further background information, thus conveying deeper insights.

A digital annual report consumes neither paper nor ink – not even recycled paper and eco-friendly ink – and does not need to be printed. No truck has to drive on the highway to deliver it to the reader. Thus, it fits well into a company’s sustainability strategy.

Given the absence of printing and logistics costs, the hope quickly arises that creating a digitally published annual report will automatically be cheaper. However, this is only partially true. If one were to simply put the simplest version, a plain PDF of the print version, online, this would indeed be true, but almost none of the above advantages would be utilized. Instead, this format would likely deter readers and interested parties.

Leveraging the diverse possibilities requires additional effort in content creation and preparation. Thus, the costs for both variants remain within a similar range – depending on the desired content and scope.

That also cannot be said so easily across the board. For some companies, the target audience of the annual report is very open-minded and internet-savvy – for others, it is rather conservative and hesitant towards online media. Especially for the latter group, it is advisable to additionally point out the digital annual report with all its advantages using a small printed brochure or flyer. But even otherwise, since the annual report is not sent out, companies must actively ensure that readers find and access it. In addition to classic mailings, dedicated landing pages and social media measures are suitable for this.