Introduced in January 2005 to help set the Internet’s website standard for a quality, professional, online profile, the ZBest Profile Award is awarded monthly to both one organization and the one individual that has developed and presented the most professional online profile listed in the Ziggs Index. Enjoying rapid global growth, Ziggs now provides people search and profile services for customers in over fifty countries. As a result, Allstate was selected for this honor from a pool of worldwide companies listed in the Ziggs Index of Professionals.

Ziggs believes that Allstate’s agent profiles are an excellent example of a profile style that successfully enables the company to represent their agents in a highly professional method online. The Allstate profiles are anchored with a professional photograph that helps the visitor build trust in the agent and is also valuable for virtual introductions. In support of the photo, every profile provides useful information that enables instant access to the agent. Options include a link to agency hours, location and directions, office phone and fax numbers, plus a link for instant email access to contact the agent.

In addition to the readily available contact information, each profile presents a link to background information on the agent, which details the agent’s community service, civic organization memberships as well as industry awards and recognitions. Combined this information allows the visitor to understand a snapshot of the agent’s qualifications and then instantly access that agent via phone or email. The presentation of this information is inviting and engaging through the use of a backdrop photo of open fields and blue skies.

Each Allstate agent’s details are then positioned within a frame of useful online resources from Allstate. From auto insurance to retirement solutions, all of Allstate’s product categories are provided just below each agent’s photo, with quick links to detailed information on every product. Additional resources presented with every agent include the ability to request a quote online for home, auto or renters’ insurance or access Allstate’s online policy and claim service.

In total, the valuable content provided, combined with the use of color, design and tone in every profile supports the Allstate brand and mission: “To be the best…serving our customers by providing peace of mind and enriching their quality of life through our partnership in the management of the risks they face.”

“Allstate’s online profiles enable the firm to build brand awareness and engage website visitors in a very professional yet personal manner,” said Tim DeMello, founder and chief executive officer, Ziggs. “Each personal financial agent’s profile is a valuable business tool that showcases the company’s most important asset – their nationwide team of professional agents.” To see an example of a representative Allstate profile, people search at Ziggs for “Sandy Reinsch.”

Winners are chosen by Ziggs at the close of a monthly review process that includes an assessment of the professionalism, content value, brand value and creativity of all online profiles in the Ziggs Index. The professionalism measure weighs the overall quality of the entire profile, including the photograph. The content value measure rewards profiles that present the most valuable information to a prospect or client reviewing the profile. The brand value measure assesses the profile’s level of success in communicating the company brand and corporate identity within the profile. The creativity measure seeks to reward profiles that are creative in their efforts to communicate all of the above three elements. In combination, these measurements set the standard for the definition of a quality online profile.

Companies and individuals who wish to submit their online profile for consideration for future Ziggs ZBest Profile Awards can e-mail their profile submission to e-mail protected from spam bots. Entries received by the last date of a given month will be reviewed for consideration for the upcoming month’s award. Winning entries are announced in a press release, presented online at www.Ziggs.com, and receive a ZBest Award for display at their place of business. Help Ziggs help the industry raise the standard for professional online profiles, and submit your quality profile for consideration today.

About Ziggs, Inc.
Ziggs is an online community for people in business who want to promote themselves or their business online and connect with other professionals. Providing the fastest-growing global community of current professional profiles on the Web, Ziggs offers keyword-targeted people search and easy-to-use profile management services that allow companies and individuals to take control of their online presence and professional reputation. Launched in October 2004, Ziggs is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.Ziggs.com.