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Time to Update:

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We are living in the digital age—an era where

technology is advancing at breakneck speeds, and

where yesterday’s perk is now today’s expectation. This

holds especially true with all things online, including your

independent insurance agency’s website. If you haven’t

taken a look at your site lately, chances are you’re

behind the times.

It’s time to take a look, reassess, and make

some changes to get your website back in the

game. This guide will highlight the signs you

need to update, and provide helpful tips for

bringing your website up to code.

signs

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CONTENTSYour site doesn’t adapt ........................................................................... 4

Your page doesn’t move ......................................................................... 5

Your design hasn’t changed ................................................................... 6

Your information is old ............................................................................ 7

Your site can’t be found .......................................................................... 8

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Responsiveness is key. Having a responsive site

means it adapts to different device’s screen sizes, so it

can be viewed with the same clarity on laptops, tablets,

smartphones, and devices yet to be made. It’s more

than just being mobile friendly: responsive sites have

multiple layouts that adjust depending on the device.

Creating a responsive website is easy and with platforms

such as Squarespace, and most modern CSS platforms

allow for easy conversion. However, you should always

preview and test first, working out any kinks before

making it live.

Your site doesn’t adapt

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It’s important to have dynamic elements

on your site, such as videos, social media

feeds, and maps. It’s okay to have static

elements on your website, just make sure

they’re balanced with something that’s

in motion. Many sites now use roll over

options and other interactive elements to

keep users engaged. Get ideas from looking

at other service sites, such as healthcare

providers or real estate companies. Look

for ways to allow users to provide input and

see what others have said through a forum

or feedback section.

Your page doesn’t move

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If it’s been over two years since you created your agency’s

website, you’re overdue for a redesign. No longer are text

and image boxes the norm. Modern sites are now mixing

more sophisticated color pallettes and shapes, to convey

content. Style elements have updates as well, with more

user-friendly controls and engaging graphics to guide the

viewer. Widgets and tiles are taking over as the new menu

navigation. Begin to think about integrating a few of these

key elements on your site.

Your design hasn’t changed

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Your information is oldAlong with including dynamic elements, your

website needs to have new information.

This doesn’t mean changing your content

daily. Instead, create pieces that can be

easily updated. Social media feeds are

great, as is adding a blog or “tip of the

day.” Updating your employee information,

office contact info, and adding new photos

frequently are also relevant. Continual

updates show you are engaged in your web

presence, which reflects well on your search

engine rankings.

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Your site can’t befoundThe worst problem you can have is that your

site has a low searchability. If you’re showing

up on page 4 or 5 for insurance agency search

results, chances are no one will find your site.

You can increase your searchability by following

the above tips to update designs, be dynamic,

and make your site responsive.

You can also boost your relevance in search

results by focusing on keywords, including

in page titles and image descriptions in your

site’s metadata. Local keywords are especially

relevant for independent agencies. Also,

regularly updated, succinct content makes it

easy for a web crawler to evaluate your site and

move you up in the ranks.

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These tips are only the beginning! A great

website stands out, so keep your eye open

for ways to make your agency’s page more

searchable, user friendly, and efficient. We at

SIS know the importance of keeping up with

the best and most effective technology, which

is why we regularly evaluate ad update our

Partner XE agency management system.

Our latest version, Partner XE 2015,

promises a better user experience, enhanced

functionality, and more efficient workflow.

To find out more about the latest updates,

contact us today at sales@sisware.com.

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About SISHeadquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Strategic Insurance Software

(SIS) is the team behind Partner XE—an innovative web-based

insurance agency management system that helps independent

agencies streamline workflow and grow their business. Built on

a foundation of strong technology and exceptional service, we’re

moving forward with a constant eye on innovation that will make

independent agents’ lives easier.

About Partner XESupporting downloads from over 300 carriers, real time interaction,

integrated agency accounting, and much more, Partner XE is a full-

featured agency management system at an affordable cost for the

independent insurance agency. For more information, please visit

www.sisware.com.

4181 Arlingate Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43228 800.747.9273 | www.sisware.com

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