Thursday, 20 June 2013 09:34
New website launched to help consumers seeking online advice
A free consumer website has been launched by industry figure Kim North to help those looking for financial information and advice online.
Guidetoadvice.co.uk has updates, news and information about online financial services products and advice.
Over 110 independent and unbiased financial services websites have been reviewed in a specialist directory and more will be added on a regular basis.
Each website will be critiqued to state the firms' online propositions and what is available for consumers.
Nick Baker, director of Guide to Advice, said: "As the availability of advice on the high street diminishes, we believe online is undoubtedly where consumers will increasingly seek guidance on financial matters, pay for financial advice specific to their needs and look to purchase financial products."
Websites will also be scored by the Guide to Advice team and consumers will be encouraged to give their own reviews of websites they use.
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Consumers can search based on product, type of advice required and whether they can afford fees or not.
Relevant sites will be listed free of charge but firms can pay for a full directory page to expand their online proposition.
Ms North has over 30 years experience in the financial services sector including 10 years spent working as a financial adviser.
She said: "It is estimated that 30 million people in the UK cannot afford, or are unwilling to pay face-to-face financial adviser fees. This we believe will create an advice gap - which the Guide to Advice consumer website will help fill.
"We want to help consumers raise their understanding of financial products and planning, whilst encouraging providers of guidance, advice or financial products to improve their online offerings. Our scoring and comment on the financial websites will help consumers make a more informed choice."
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Guidetoadvice.co.uk has updates, news and information about online financial services products and advice.
Over 110 independent and unbiased financial services websites have been reviewed in a specialist directory and more will be added on a regular basis.
Each website will be critiqued to state the firms' online propositions and what is available for consumers.
Nick Baker, director of Guide to Advice, said: "As the availability of advice on the high street diminishes, we believe online is undoubtedly where consumers will increasingly seek guidance on financial matters, pay for financial advice specific to their needs and look to purchase financial products."
Websites will also be scored by the Guide to Advice team and consumers will be encouraged to give their own reviews of websites they use.
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
Consumers can search based on product, type of advice required and whether they can afford fees or not.
Relevant sites will be listed free of charge but firms can pay for a full directory page to expand their online proposition.
Ms North has over 30 years experience in the financial services sector including 10 years spent working as a financial adviser.
She said: "It is estimated that 30 million people in the UK cannot afford, or are unwilling to pay face-to-face financial adviser fees. This we believe will create an advice gap - which the Guide to Advice consumer website will help fill.
"We want to help consumers raise their understanding of financial products and planning, whilst encouraging providers of guidance, advice or financial products to improve their online offerings. Our scoring and comment on the financial websites will help consumers make a more informed choice."
• Want to receive a free weekly summary of the best news stories from our website? Just go to home page and submit your name and email address. If you are already logged in you will need to log out to see the e-newsletter sign up. You can then log in again.
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