Producers without an agency Web site are probably losing potential sales from online buyers, and one major auto insurer is offering to remedy that competitive disadvantage.
Progressive, citing a recent survey of auto insurance buyers indicating how valuable it is for an agency to have an effective Web site, said it has partnered with Web.com to give the company's agents a discounted price to create an online presence.
The "2009 comScore Online Auto Insurance" survey found that while a vast majority of consumers look online for car insurance, a significant number eventually buy from an agent, Progressive noted.
Unfortunately, according to the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based carrier, while having a Web site today is as important as having a sign or a business phone number, the company found that more than half of its independent agents don't have Web sites.
"This means agents without Web sites are missing out on a huge business opportunity," Matt Marko, marketing process manager for Progressive's agency business, said in a statement. "We think Web.com can help solve that problem."
Progressive said it is working with Web.com to give its agents who don't have a site or are unhappy with their existing site the opportunity to create or improve their online presence at a discounted price.
Web.com has designed and created hundreds of thousands of Web sites for small- and medium-sized businesses, facilitating the creation of millions more through their do-it-yourself "SiteBuilder" product, Progressive noted.
The technology company also provides search engine optimization and search engine marketing solutions–both valuable tools that make Web sites more visible in online search engines, Progressive observed.
"We're committed to helping our agents grow their businesses, and a key part of that is giving them the tools they need to communicate with and serve their customers in today's market," said Mr. Marko.
"Agents need to be engaged in developing and maintaining their sites, but Web.com will provide the professional expertise they need to ensure the sites are high-value and high-quality," he added.
The Progressive-Web.com package for agents includes:
o A discount off Web.com's base price.
o A professionally designed Web site with a unique domain name.
o An agent RSS news feed providing regularly refreshed content relevant to independent agency customers and prospects.
o Sixty minutes per month of consultation with Web.com professionals for site changes or SEO modifications, and the ability to make do-it-yourself changes anytime.
o A scorecard measuring real-time results, including leads in the form of calls, e-mails and Web clicks.
o Listings on all major search engines and directories.
o Progressive's real-time agent quoting and servicing banner.
Progressive agents who want to learn more about the program can visit www.independentagent.web.com.
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