For some of us, it's hard to remember a world without the Internet. In the past few years, Internet technology has seemed to explode. Try to go a day without seeing or hearing buzzwords like "online", "email", "www" and "website." Good luck!

According to recent studies by Statistics Canada, businesses are embracing the new technology as much as consumers. Research by the firm showed that 99.9% of public sector businesses use the Internet and 92.4% of these companies have their own Web site. Pretty staggering numbers, aren't they?

Before we get too excited, the financial and insurance industries are lagging a bit behind other industries. In the same Statistics Canada studies, it was found that while just over 90% of businesses in these fields use the Internet, only about 60% of them have their own Web site.

Does your business have a Web site? If you're among the 40% of financial and insurance companies without, you might want to reconsider! The Internet is today as the Yellow Pages once were. If you needed a plumber, you would look for someone with a good ad. On the Internet, you want your clients to see you and your Web site will make that possible. If you don't have a Web site, you are potentially losing clients to brokerages that are online.

You don't need to be an Internet merchant to benefit from a Web site. There are many reasons why a Web site can be greatly beneficial to your company, regardless of size. Let's look at some of the reasons now:

• Your Web site can allow clients to visit your business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Your Web site can act as an online brochure. It can be easily updated or changed at any time.
• You can post your Privacy Policy online, letting clients access it whenever they need.
• Your Web site can improve customer service. It can provide basic information such as location and hours of operation, but also allow for a confidential feedback, online employee directory or frequently asked questions.

Having a Web site can be a cost-effective means of advertising. Telephone book advertisements can be costly with recurring costs. Establishing a Web site can be done without a huge monetary investment.

Of course there are many more reasons why a Web site can help your business. In the insurance world - where products, services and pricing rarely differ too much from brokerage to brokerage - it is your image and reputation that can get you clients. Create a Web site and let the clients click their way to you!