SSP stresses importance of company websites
The UK may be at the forefront of web trading but only 10%-20% of businesses boast good trading websites.
Speaking at a session titled 'Achieving business excellence. The tools and techniques for success', Software Solution Partners executive chairman David Rasche stressed the importance of a company's website which he equated to the look and appearance of its office and sales staff.
He said: "Most businesses have a website – but is it attractive? Does it say much about your business? It's all about giving the right message and the right image."
Said Rasche: "The typical small broker is selling to the SME market place. What they should be aware of is that big insurers and direct writers will be there soon, so they must get involved.
"Maintaining a website is not as expensive as everyone thinks, and is more important than they think."
Key is driving traffic to the website. The URL address everywhere, on stationary and letterheads for example. It needs to be available to search engines as 87% of business to business users will use search engines for research.
Equally important is efficient coding which will facilitate faster downloads.
Citing statistics, he pointed out that the average 21-year-old graduate will have exchanged 250,000 e-mails and text messages, spends 10,000 hours on the mobile phone and 3,500 hours on the internet. These are the people who will buy insurance tomorrow.
Rasche advised brokers to talk to other people who have set up impressive websites. Look at what the competition's website and the type of image they want to present.
