NAMIC Web Site Wins Award

NU Online News Service, Oct. 2, 12:18 p.m.EST?The redesigned Web site of the Indianapolis-basedNational Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, NAMIC Online[www. namic.org] has won an award from a Web marketing tradegroup.

NAMIC's site was selected from among 1,300 entries for theStandard of Excellence Award from among entries in the 2002WebAward Competition held by the Web Marketing Association.

The decision was announced yesterday at the WMA's Internet WorldFall 2002 Conference in New York City.

Chuck Chamness, vice president-public affairs for NAMIC, saidwinning the award validated NAMIC Online's redesign of the site,which was launched July 18.

WMA said the 1,300 sites that were entered and adjudicatedduring this year's competition came from 19 countries.

The award recognizes a standard of excellence for which allcorporate Web sites should strive, according to the WMA. It saidthe annual award competition judges corporate Web sites against anInternet standard and against peer sites within their industry.

Entries were judged on design, innovation, content,interactivity, navigation, ease of use, and use of technology.

Jon Gorman, Online Services manager for NAMIC and the designerof the new site, said, before revisions were made, "Westrategically planned the redesign by measuring success, traffic tothe site, and user satisfaction of NAMIC Online. We felt it wasimportant to redesign the Web site to address numerous issues;however, navigation and ease of use were our primary focuses."

NAMIC Online features news and information on theproperty-casualty and farm mutual insurance industries, as well asNAMIC activities in government relations, public affairs,education, arbitration services, and insurance and employee benefitprograms and educational seminars.

The site also provides information about NAMIC's annualconvention and learning opportunities available through NAMIC, aswell as postings concerning NAMIC conferences, boards, committees,affiliate partners and membership; and NAMIC publications includingProperty/Casualty Insurance magazine, news releases, and publicpolicy papers.

NAMIC said its audience for the site includes NAMIC members,property-casualty and farm mutual insurance company executives andstaff, news media, policymakers, and consumers.

The mission of the site, NAMIC said, is to increase memberparticipation in association services, programs and advocacyinitiatives; inform members daily on insurance industry issues andtrends; and build membership through increased awareness of NAMIC'spublic policy, advocacy and services.

With the revised navigation and appearance of NAMIC Online, theredesign of the site also features enhanced story archives, seminarand event registration, and a specialty newsletter.

The search function now includes a search form on every page,and streamlined and simplified navigation from 21 global topics tofive featuring dynamic drop down menus.

Changes also included individual home pages specific to bothproperty-casualty and farm mutual news and information abouteducational opportunities.

Additionally a site map was added and changes made to the "AboutNAMIC" section, including a members-only resource guide, employmentat NAMIC, and benefits to NAMIC members.

In addition to its work on NAMIC Online, NAMIC said its WebServices has designed and maintained more than 25 sites for memberinsurance companies, state insurance trade associations, andaffiliate organizations.

Boston-based WMA is an independent volunteer organization ofInternet marketing, advertising, public relations and designprofessionals that was founded in 1997 with the purpose ofevaluating, recognizing and increasing the standard of excellenceon the World Wide Web. Its site is located at www.webaward.org.