http://www.freedemowebsite.com/blog/View Free Demo Website's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.freedemowebsite.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:8b8f91a9-5cf1-4567-a9fe-b1d08b848130urn:uuid:9fa3117d-777e-428f-bc35-5aba834ecf50Does the new blog stuff work?Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:55:49 -0600Does the new blog stuff work?urn:uuid:bcae2911-ccdd-4c6e-b7d4-f4b936efb475,my first classThu, 23 Jun 2011 18:48:59 -0500,my first class<br />urn:uuid:996f299f-aeca-4c0a-b676-41496166beecHelloTue, 23 Nov 2010 12:32:48 -0600Hellourn:uuid:2398bfb1-fa89-4e56-85c3-c7de08f75077Test Blog.Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:20:41 -0600Test Blog.urn:uuid:309def58-72a1-46c3-881d-c250a90ed7574Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:43:49 -05004urn:uuid:5443b362-2e4a-4b49-98b9-d884ddf9caecLast BlogMon, 18 Oct 2010 21:50:08 -0500Last Blogurn:uuid:6af0f246-6648-4a93-8a9b-d03e7cd313ecHello.Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:21:17 -0500Hello.urn:uuid:547e2ea0-f410-4c2e-91fe-863da9bcd54cBlog test.Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:13:26 -0500Blog test.urn:uuid:a6b8dbb3-67c0-4c30-bc83-59feae75af81<img src='http://www.regular-expressions.info/img/rxb.gif' align='left' />Basically, a regular expression is a pattern describing a certain amount of text. Their name comes from the mathematical theory on which they are based. But we will not dig into that. Since most people including myself are lazy to type, you will usua...Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:36:21 -0500<p>Basically, a regular expression is a pattern describing a certain amount of text. Their name comes from the mathematical theory on which they are based. But we will not dig into that. Since most people including myself are lazy to type, you will usually find the name abbreviated to regex or regexp. I prefer regex, because it is easy to pronounce the plural "regexes". On this website, regular expressions are printed as <tt class="regex">regex</tt>. If your browser has proper support for cascading style sheets, the regex should be highlighted in red. </p> <p>This first example is actually a perfectly valid regex. It is the most basic pattern, simply matching the literal text <tt class="match">regex</tt>. A "match" is the piece of text, or sequence of bytes or characters that pattern was found to correspond to by the regex processing software. Matches are highlighted in blue on this site. </p> <p><tt class="regex">\b[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}\b</tt> <a href="http://www.regular-expressions.info/regexbuddy/email.html"><img width="16" height="16" alt="Analyze this regular expression with RegexBuddy" src="http://www.regular-expressions.info/img/rxb.gif" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /></a> is a more complex pattern. It describes a series of letters, digits, dots, underscores, percentage signs and hyphens, followed by an at sign, followed by another series of letters, digits and hyphens, finally followed by a single dot and between two and four letters. In other words: this pattern describes an <a target="_top" href="http://www.regular-expressions.info/email.html">email address</a>.</p>urn:uuid:45018e3e-e213-4b36-bbea-7d1bdfdfd55bblog entry hereThu, 05 Aug 2010 13:01:35 -0500blog entry hereurn:uuid:7b6d6391-2c85-4f07-92fb-aefac60de0ceBlog!Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:18:48 -0500Blog!urn:uuid:a591adf1-b68d-4832-a08a-788fc40010ddThis is a test.Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:24:14 -0500This is a test.urn:uuid:69618528-c4d3-4070-acf5-e252beb5c980Test Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:04:36 -0600Test urn:uuid:51a46393-2d56-4c28-a5b1-454201cc4510A blog, orginally called a "web log", is a chronological online journal.  In a business setting, blogs are best used to provide valuable information to consumers on subjects relevant to the product being offered.  For instance, an auto insurance agen...Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:25:44 -0600<p>A blog, orginally called a "web log", is a chronological online journal.  In a business setting, blogs are best used to provide valuable information to consumers on subjects relevant to the product being offered.  For instance, an auto insurance agent could use a blog to offer safety tips to drivers, what to do in the event of an accident, and so on.<br /> <br /> By providing information that is directly relevant to your agency's services and products, you are providing keywords to search engines that potential customers search for when shopping for your services.  In addition, keeping fresh content on your website is one of the most effective ways to increase your page ranking with search engines.  <br /> <br /> <strong>How to Start a Blog<br /> </strong>Blogs are another way to brand your agency.  Therefore, to receive the most benefit from a blog, it should be integrated within your website.  The blog should have the same domain name and the same look and feel as your current website.  <br /> <br /> There are several blog products available.  There are very elaborate blog software packages available, however, initially you may want to sign up for a free blog through a service such as <a href="http://http://wordpress.org/" target="_blank">Word Press</a> or <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Google</a>. While your abilities will be limited with a free blog service, they are a cost-effective way to get your feet wet.<br /> <br /> Our gold plan members that subscribe to our Insurance Website Builder package enjoy built-in blogging capabilities with enhanced features on their websites.  Additional information can be found by visiting <a href="http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/">www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com</a>. <br /> <br /> <strong>What to Blog About?<br /> </strong>The subjects available to an insurance agent are endless.  Take a moment and think about all of the questions you are asked on a daily basis.</p> <ul> <li>Is anyone covered to drive my vehicle? </li> <li>Do I have a grace period? </li> <li>What can I do to lower my premium? </li> <li>Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value </li> <li>Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Flood? </li> </ul> <p>You are answering these questions consistently.  Now all that is required is to sit down and write out those answers.</p> <p><strong>Advertise Your Blog<br /> </strong>Let people know you have a blog.  Tell your customers, your companies, casual contacts, etc.  Advertising your blog can be as easy as including a link in your email signature, a note in letters sent to customers, or mentioning it in your on-hold message.  Also, using social media venues, such as Facebook and Twitter, to advertise your blog and blog posts is a very effective way to increase traffic to your website.<br /> <br /> Initially creating a blog can appear to be an overwhelming and time consuming task, but it doesn't have to be.  Share the responsibility among your staff.  What better way is there to learn then to have to prepare to teach?  Assign each staff member a topic and give them time to research the topic.  There will be staff that are reluctant because they lack confidence in their writing abilities.  Writing is perfected with practice and blogging is the perfect opportunity to practice those skills.<br /> <br /> Having an blog for your agency offers a list of benefits - increases your website traffic, develops loyalty and trust with customers and prospects, and expands your knowledge as you and your staff research topics.  The time you invest on your blog will offer great returns.</p> urn:uuid:e0a059a2-22fd-495c-adc1-379c48ef27d5This is a sample blog entry. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:33:57 -0600This is a sample blog entry. urn:uuid:65aee394-94bd-44ff-94a0-af361df8861d Ten years ago, less than fifty percent of the population used the Internet. Five years ago, users of the Internet consisted primarily of business professionals. Today, retirees are the largest growing demographic of Internet users. Seven out of ever...Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:40:05 -0500<div id="body"> <p>Ten years ago, less than fifty percent of the population used the Internet. Five years ago, users of the Internet consisted primarily of business professionals. Today, retirees are the largest growing demographic of Internet users. Seven out of every ten people you meet in America uses a computer at least once a week. Considering this continual growth, agencies across the nation have begun to embrace the marketing potential the Internet has to offer.</p> <p>To take advantage of these growing marketing opportunities upon the Internet, agencies must first develop an effective and visually appealing website. Your website must be more than just a business card on the web; it needs to be a functional tool that benefits both potential and current customers. To create a successful web presence your website should include the following:</p> <p>Agency Information</p> <p>Include information about your agency such as company origins, community reputations, testimonials and noted success.</p> <p>Agency Offerings</p> <p>What does your agency offer? Why do your product offerings standout from your competitors? Your website should convey your complete product offering such as each line of business and any additional services that would benefit your target customer.</p> <p>Customer Service</p> <p>A website is open for business, even when you are not. Provide your customers the ability to request quotes or policy change requests anytime, day, or night. Include a mailing list feature that allows your customers to receive your agency's newsletter.</p> <p>Contact Information</p> <p>If for any reason your new website cannot fulfill your customers needs you want to make it easy for them to contact you. Your website should include all forms of communication methods including local and toll-free phone numbers, fax numbers, driving directions, and e-mail.</p> <p>Useful Experience</p> <p>Build a useful consumer resource that will repeatedly draw customers back to your website. Incorporate helpful tools such as an insurance terms glossary, a frequently asked questions page, company links, document libraries, and a newsroom.</p> <p>Once your website is up and running you must begin to market it as more than "just a website". Notify your customers that your website is a resource available to them twenty-four hours a day. Advertise the functionality of your website, not just the fact that you have one. To effectively market your website you should follow the</p> <p>Printed Materials</p> <p>Include your website address on all printed materials such as business cards, letterhead, and brochures. Include a brief statement promoting the fact your website is open 24/7.</p> <p>Example: For policy service any time, day, or night, visit us on the web at...</p> <p>Voicemail</p> <p>State your website clearly in your outgoing voicemail - Inform customers and prospects calling your office outside of business hours that information about your agency as well as customer service options are available twenty-four hours a day via your website.</p> <p>Yellow Pages Advertising</p> <p>Maximize your yellow page presence by including your agency website along with phone numbers. By including your website address your yellow page ad opens your business up to possible business, even outside the hours you normally answer your phones.</p> <p>Advertise for a Good Cause</p> <p>Make a donation of school supplies to your local schools and have them imprinted with your agency web address.</p> <p>Storefront Advertising</p> <p>Prospects may drive by your office every day and may see the name of your agency and a phone number, why not your website as well? Many prospects are more likely to remember a website name than a phone number.</p> <p>Search Engine Tricks</p> <p>Include important links on your website. Search engines look for websites that link to other sites. Be sure to include links to the companies you write with, organizations you are involved with, links with information about your community, and insurance industry related news. Make reciprocal agreements with organizations to incorporate your web address on their website as well.</p> <p>By combining these offline and online marketing initiatives with an effective website your website traffic will soar, right along with your business.</p> </div> <div> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Insurance Technologies Corporation,<br /> Agency website solutions at </span><a href="/" id="link_74" target="_new"><span style="color: #800080; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 13px;"> - Agency rating solutions at </span><a href="http://www.turborater.com/" id="link_75" target="_new"><span style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.turborater.com</span></a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> urn:uuid:647ad68a-761f-4ed2-b820-f46aeee62265 89% of e-mails received by insurance agents today are classified as spam. That means that only one out of every ten emails is a legitimate business communication! Over the course of a year, financial losses can really add up through the lost product...Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:38:45 -0500<div id=body> <p>89% of e-mails received by insurance agents today are classified as spam. That means that only one out of every ten emails is a legitimate business communication! Over the course of a year, financial losses can really add up through the lost productivity of you and your employees. However, the greatest threat to computer networks today is from malicious programs such as trojans, zombies, and viruses, which hitch a ride within many spam. Once upon your network, these programs can potentially mine customer data from your systems sending their confidential data to unscrupulous parties looking to steal the identities of your customers!</p> <p>1/2 the way there.</p> <p>The traditional way to decrease the number of spam received by an insurance agency is by installing an application that contains a spam blocker. Often these applications are bundled within an antivirus program. These programs do help; however, they are not always the most effective solution for curbing the flow of spam into your organization. These programs require constant updates to keep up with the latest spam signatures and techniques. These updates are rarely kept up-to-date after the initial subscription period expires. Additionally, these programs must download the infected spam to your machine before it can classify it as malicious. This download allows the infected item into your organization unrestricted before the program is able to quarantine the item.</p> <p>Stopping the Attack</p> <p>To effectively block spam and other malicious email, organizations are employing a new generation of spam blocking tools. One of the more effective ways being used today is through the use of spam firewalls. Prior to your mail server, incoming mail routes through your spam firewall's gateway which analyzes your mail for spam and other malicious code. Items classified as spam are held for further review within a quarantine folder, thus keeping an infected item from ever entering your organization. Furthermore, the firewall's spam signatures are kept up-to-date upon a single device, no more worrying that all computers are running the latest definitions.</p> <p>For Insurance Agencies with less than fifty email users, many online providers offer hosted spam firewall protection. For larger organizations, your own spam firewall will easily pay for itself through productivity improvements and decreased downtime.</p></div> <div> <table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td vAlign=top> <div class=sig id=sig> <p><font size=2>Insurance Technologies Corporation, Agency website solutions at </font><a id=link_78 href="/" target=_new><u><font color=#800080 size=2>http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com</font></u></a><font size=2> and Agency management solutions at </font><a id=link_79 href="http://www.insuranceproonline.com/" target=_new><u><font color=#0066cc size=2>http://www.insuranceproonline.com</font></u></a></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>urn:uuid:fd04c75e-4f65-42a2-a870-f9d6f4f4535d A fully functional online presence has become a required asset that every agency should possess. By having a website, you enable your agency the ability to offer your products and services to prospects and customers twenty-four hours a day, seven da...Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:25:54 -0500<div id=body> <p>A fully functional online presence has become a required asset that every agency should possess. By having a website, you enable your agency the ability to offer your products and services to prospects and customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Today, a website has to be more than just a business card on the web. It needs to have a complete offering that includes automated customer self-service and informational resources that repeatedly hold the visitors interest.</p> <p><b>Beyond Quoting, Offering Customer Self Service</b></p> <p>Do you remember walking into an airport and waiting in long ticket counter lines? If so, you have seen firsthand how technology has changed the way consumers interact with business. Less than ten years ago, as you entered an airport, long lines greeted you at the ticket counter. Now you are welcomed by self-service terminals that offer a quick check-in experience speeding multiple customers through at a fraction of the time. No longer do you need to speak to a customer service agent, you can simply do it yourself. Not only does it expedite the customer, self-service lowers the employee resources required by the business.</p> <p>This trend of customer self-service has begun to spread to every industry, including insurance. It began with online quote requests, via an online form. Next was the introduction of online rating. Recently, companies began offering customer self-service options to compliment the online quoting. These options included online payments and policy self-service.</p> <p>What started with the carriers has now migrated down to the agents themselves. Whether it be the ability to request an ID card, report an accident or remove a vehicle, your website must offer the customer the ability to service their policy directly. Like the airline industry, this automation of your customer service will appease the consumer's desire for quick service while lowering the overall resources required by your agency.</p> <p><b>An Informational Resource</b></p> <p>Although banks were one of the first industries to embrace customer self-service through the usage of ATM machines, they were slow to develop their online presence. In the recent years, they have made up for it! Banking websites offer virtually everything these days. Buy stamps, lookup ATM locations, view product offerings, pay your bills, print your statements and even request copies of checks, all from an easy to use website. By providing this complete experience, banks customers return often to this one-stop portal.</p> <p>An agency website needs to replicate this breadth of offerings by presenting the client access to any services that your agency offers. A complete website should include online glossaries, driving directions, location mapping, current newsfeeds, payment options, and links to useful websites such as credit repair and partner mortgage companies. By offering more features your website becomes a portal for which customers will return repeatedly.</p> <p><b>Holding On</b></p> <p>Now that your website offers a complete presence, you want to draw and keep visitors upon your site. Provide the consumer an incentive to come back often. Create quarterly giveaways. Offer gift cards for referrals. Provide links to the latest viral videos. The sky is the limit with a website.</p> <p>Finally, retain your customer's interest, by keeping your site up to date! By updating your site's content, you retain the dynamic and ever changing spirit of the Internet. Buyers will recognize your commitment to technology and will reward you with repeat visits.</p></div> <div> <table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td vAlign=top> <div class=sig id=sig> <p>Insurance Technologies Corporation, Agency website solutions available at <a id=link_74 href="/" target=_new><u><font color=#800080>http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com</font></u></a> and agency rating and management solutions available at <a id=link_75 href="http://www.turborater.com/" target=_new><u><font color=#0066cc>http://www.turborater.com</font></u></a></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>