IFAP urges IFAs to ensure consumers looking online for independent financial advice can find them
Over two thirds of IFAP member IFAs are not ensuring consumers searching online for independent financial advice can find their details online and access their web address and email
Unbiased.co.uk received over 574,000 online requests for an IFA in 2006, representing 92% of IFAP’s total fulfilments (with over 50,000 online requests being dealt with in January 2007 alone)
IFAP is offering non-subscribing members the chance to try its Online Marketing Package at a discounted price until the end of March
IFA Promotion (IFAP), the organisation promoting the benefits of independent financial advice, asks IFAs ‘Why have a website if people can’t find it?’ A third of IFAP’s members have now signed up to its Online Marketing Package (OMP), but those IFAs that haven’t signed up, are not getting their e and web links put in front of people using www.unbiased.co.uk and the 56 ‘Find an IFA’ versions of the IFAP search currently running on partner websites.
By subscribing to IFAP’s OMP, IFAs can ensure that their web and email address are displayed and enabled. This allows an enquirer to click straight through to their website or contact them online. IFAs entries are also enhanced, making them stand out on the list of IFAs presented by IFAP to an online enquirer. Enquirers are given the option to waive their confidentiality (by their own choice) and request that IFAs call them back directly. This happens by way of an email alert straight into the IFA’s inbox.
Over 3,000 member IFAs have already subscribed to IFAP’s OMP and statistics show that IFAs subscribing to the package are more than twice as likely to have their entry viewed by consumers using IFAP’s searches, than those who have not subscribed (source: Orchestra 2007).
Members who subscribe to IFAP’s Online Marketing Package also receive a monthly report from IFAP detailing how many enquirers using IFAP’s online searches have viewed their entry, requested a call back or clicked on that IFAs email or web address links.
The current discount offer* entitles new subscribers to a 10% discount until the end of March so IFAs interested in the OMP are encouraged to subscribe without delay by calling the member hotline on 0870 325 9020 or by signing up online at www.unbiased.co.uk/ifa/.
* 10% discount 224 + VAT per annum (monthly DD payment options available).
David Elms, Chief Executive of IFA Promotion, commented: “Consumers researching online are invariably using search engines to match sites to keywords they enter, or visit their favourite sites and use links from content and articles that they find there. With our Online Marketing Package, member IFAs can cost-effectively connect their company details, email address and website to the tens of thousands of consumers using IFAP to search for local independent financial advice.
“This is not the future – as far as the research process is concerned (which includes finding local IFAs) the online revolution has already taken place. Member IFAs need to make sure they’re not missing out on the wealth of business opportunities available, and make the most of their online offering today.”
IFAs who require more details or who would like to subscribe to the Online Marketing Package should visit www.unbiased.co.uk/advisers or call the member Hotline on 0870 325 9020
For further information please contact:
David Elms | Laura Wood/Jonathon Grove |
Chief Executive | Lansons Communications |
IFA Promotion | 020 7294 3689 / 020 7294 3653 |
020 7833 3131 |
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For expert comment or case studies from over 200 media-friendly IFAs, journalists should call IFA Promotion’s Media Services hotline on 020 7294 3682 or search online at www.unbiased.co.uk/media
1. Independent Financial Adviser Promotion
IFA Promotion, is the organisation established in 1989 to promote the value and accessibility of independent financial advice to the public. It represents around 9,000 firms of independent financial advisers across the UK, incorporating over 17,000 registered individuals. These individuals hold over 20,000 incremental qualifications which are each individually verified by the awarding body. IFA Promotion welcomes the prominent display of incremental qualifications and further developments into the credentials of independent financial advice.
IFA Promotion is sponsored by 31 leading financial institutions, and in the past 12 months, over 600,000 consumers and businesses used unbiased.co.uk to find local independent financial advice.
IFA Promotion believes Independent financial advice should be:
Affordable. The option to take independent financial advice should be available, by right, to all- not just the wealthiest in society.
Convenient. IFAs should be available in the location of the consumer’s choice, wherever they live in the UK.
Transparent. It must be clearly transparent to consumers who is able to offer independent financial advice and who is not.
2. Independent Financial Adviser Promotion’s sponsors
Aberdeen Asset Management | Lincoln Financial Group |
Abbey | Mortgage Express |
AEGON Scottish Equitable Plc | National Savings & Investments |
Alliance Trust | NatWest Business Banking |
AXA Life | New Star Investment Funds |
Bright Grey | Norwich Union Life |
BUPA Health Services | Prudential |
Canada Life Ltd | Scottish Life |
The Children’s Mutual | Scottish Life International |
Clerical Medical Investment | Scottish Widows Plc |
Defaqto | Skandia UK Group |
Friends Provident | Standard Life Assurance Company |
GE Life | UnumProvident |
Invesco Perpetual | Webline Limited |
Legal & General | Zurich Intermediary Group |
London Mortgage Company |
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Registered Office: IFA Promotion Ltd, 90 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. Registered in Scotland: No. 114606