April 9, 2010

Oldsmar, FL -- Web-Est announced the compatibility of Web-Est's auto repair collision estimating software and Apple's® new iPad. Unlike other leading estimating software products in the market, the Web-Est estimating software product has full functionality with the new iPad.

"Imagine being out in the field writing an estimate while wirelessly connected to your estimating software or standing outside a collision repair shop being able to use the new iPad tablet, the two products makes it possible." Seidel continued "Since Web-Est works with Apple's Safari Browser and operates on an online platform it makes writing estimates wireless easy and at under a $1000 for the iPad and $99 a month for Web-Est it makes it affordable."

Common collision estimating programs require the product to be down loaded onto the users local computer, unfortunately none of these brands will work with Apple's® Safari browser or the iPad. Web-Est's body shop software works without any technical problems due the product being web based. Using a light weight iPad with Web-Est's online auto collision estimating software is also ideal for CAT claims and hail damage events. While the iPad will not support a download directly to the tablet, a one-time $7.00 iPad application enables the faxing, sharing or emailing of a Web-est completed estimate to any location around the world.

March 29, 2010

Oldsmar, FL -- Web-Est, LLC released Auto Parts Connect, a new program designed to aggressively expand data feeds from auto collision parts providers, making access for auto body shops much easier. The data will be integrated into Web-Est's online estimating platform used by over 1,200 small to mid size body shops nation-wide. Part providers can participate in Auto Parts Connect free of charge, but must provide data in an industry format and are responsible for submitting monthly updates or can provide real-time updates depending on their IT capabilities.

An expanded version of the program, Auto Parts Connect Plus is expected at the end of the year, which will enable Web-Est users to programmatically place a parts order with qualified vendors. Qualifying vendors are required to provide discounts to Web-Est users and will pay an administrative transaction fee.

"Auto Parts Connect and Auto Parts Connect Plus are expected to create savings for parts vendors and Web-Est collision estimating software users alike" said CEO/President, Eric Seidel. "Taking advantage of real-tim e ordering of parts eliminates manual steps, we expect to pass these savings on to our Web-Est customer base."

A full description of Web-Est's new program can be viewed at Web-Est's Auto Parts Connect page.

Oldsmar, Florida. Web-Est, LLC, a provider of online collision repair estimating software, announced today the company is going green in their accounting department. The change is expected to reduce their carbon footprint by 20%. The company also sees the move as a way to keep costs down for its customers.

"By moving away from paper billing, it reduces the growing costs of operations in invoicing, mailing, data entry, all of which continue to be a burden we are forced to pass on to our customers," said Eric Seidel, President/CEO of Web-Est, "Every month our customers must take the time to write their checks & mail them. This will save them time should they decide to use this new online payment tool. Our customers will still be able to print out an invoice and mail in their payment if they wish, but now they will have the option of paying it online within their own Web-Est account, saving them time and expense of mailing and postage."

Effective the end of November, the company will no longer be mailing paper bills to their customer base. Customer can pay their bill via credit card, bankcard or using their business checking accounts all online.

Oldsmar, FL. Web-Est LLC, provider of online collision estimating software, just announced the release of two new blogs to their site that will be focused on providing training and strategies to maximize the performance of their customers' businesses. "The two blogs that we're releasing, 'Auto Body Marketing' and 'Shop Profit Training,' are designed to offer our customers new ways to bring in more business, as well as maximizing their shop's profit," said Eric Seidel, CEO of Web-Est. In addition, Web-Est opens up "Shop Profit Training" to some of their customers to provide different tips on increasing a shop's overhead.

"Auto Body Marketing" is designed to provide customers with information in the area of marketing their shop for more service leads, particularly through the use of the Internet. With two Google^TM AdWords Professionals on staff, Web-Est bloggers will offer their insight on how to make the most of different Internet marketing strategies for body shops. "Shop Profit Training" has been re-released by Web-Est so as to generate a more user-friendly experience to its visitors. In addition to having bloggers on staff that have managed body shops in the past, Web-Est opens up their blog to some of their customers to share their thoughts on increasing their profit and performance. With these two new additions, as well as their Web-Est Blog, Web-Est remains focused on the small- to mid-size body shop by providing helpful training and low cost collision estimating software at $99 per month.

Oldsmar, Florida. Web-Est, LLC announced today the addition of frame data to their Web-based estimating product. The new data is now available to its customer base of collision repair shops nationwide.

Web-Est, LLC markets small-to-mid-size body shops and small regional insurance companies its online collision repair estimating software. Web-Est has integrated the new frame data into its online platform.

"We are excited to offer auto frame data to our growing national customer base," said Eric Seidel, President/CEO of Web-Est, LLC. "With a click of a button, our customers can now add this service to their existing account." Seidel continued.

The addition of frame data is part of Web-Est's growing success at offering online body shop software at an average of 40% to 50% below the normal market price. Web-Est leverages the low operating cost of the Internet and passes those savings onto their customers. The pricing of the new frame data is following the same low-cost, high quality market approach as their other products.

Oldsmar, FL.  Web-Est just recently posted new training for collision repair shops on marketing their business online. As a follow-up to their first piece on Search Engine Marketing, Web-Est President, Eric Seidel, promoted the use of Google Maps as a means of advertising their business to potential customers in their area. "Today, many people go to Google and click on the 'Maps' link to find a service provider that is close to their home," said Mr. Seidel. He also goes on to say that the Google Maps product acts as "both a search engine and geo-locator" for consumers using Google to search for local repair services.

Included in the training is a link to a two-minute video from Google that equips users with knowledge on how to start and manage an account on Google Maps. The account is free to begin and easy to maintain. View the full story on Shop Profit Training.

"Web-Est adds Free Training information to their "Shop Profit Training" web site, the information is geared towards helping body shop's get leads using Google Search Engine."

Oldsmar, FL.  Web-Est announced today the addition of new content to their "Shop Profit Training" web site; the information can help the smallest of collision repair shops get their name in front of consumers using Google to find a local repair shop.  The new content is part of Web-Est's on-going series to help body shops build their sales.

"The information on our web site can really help local shops keep up with larger collision repair shops who are mastering advertising online."  Stated Eric Seidel, President/CEO of Web-Est, LLC "According to Google, last month over 1 million people went online and were looking for a body shop.  So few consumers use the phone book to find a shop today; we want to help the small-to-mid size shop secure some of those potential jobs." Seidel continued.

The full content can be viewed at:

Body Shop Repair Leads from the Internet: A Step-by-Step for Beginners

"About 41% of Small Collision Repair Shops Feel Market Conditions Have not Improved Over the Last Year."

Oldsmar, Florida. Web-Est announced results of a recent survey taken on market conditions affecting the small collision repair segment of the industry.  The survey indicated most shop owners feel business conditions for the small shop market remain unchanged from the last six months compared to current sales & revenues.

Of the respondents, 41% stated business was the same as it had been most of last year: with no improvement.  About 32% stated the conditions have gotten worse.  On the brighter side, the survey results indicated 27% responded that the current market conditions have improved.

An overwhelming number of respondents, 50%, felt business is likely to return to "pre-economic down-turn" conditions by early 2009.  THe survey was taken from May 10 to May 15, which included over 800 shops.  Of the respondents, 74% identified themselves as having three of less employees.

To view the details of the survey, please view the most recent post on our Blog.

Oldsmar, Florida. Web-Est, LLC announced today the re-launching of their web-site, www.web-est.com.   The new site has been structured to help small-to-mid size shops build their revenues and profits.    Loaded with information to help their customers and the Collision Repair industry in general, the new site has many pages such as Shop Profit Training, Industry News, a new blog and most importantly, a page on Web-Est's lead program Consumer Repair Network.  The CRN is designed to help collision repair shops secure potential repair jobs using an intuitive website interface.  Web-Est customers receive a "Premium Listing."

Eric Seidel, Web-Est's President and CEO commented "We are very excited to roll out this new resource for our current customers and for the collision industry as a whole.  There is a tremendous amount of information on the Internet for shop owners.  Our efforts will focus on building & collecting information that deals with helping shops build revenues and increase profits.   Once on the site, shops will also find helpful tools and links to other industry-related sites and information pages."  Seidel continued, "Our website primarily focuses on the needs of the small to mid-size shop owner.  These shop owners represent the backbone of the collision industry.   We feel that developing this platform for these shops is a natural step for Web-Est as a leading provider of low-cost, high-value estimating tools."

The company is further dedicating resources to find industry success stories from independent shops and will place them on the new web site or plans to post back-links to those stories already on industry sites.  Web-Est will also look to include revenue growth ideas, information and discussions from shop owners to be featured on the Shop Profit Training pages.  Those wishing to contribute content can email their ideas and information to profitcenter@web-est.com or post them on the company's new Blog.

About Web-Est, LLC:

Web-Est, LLC is a provider of online auto estimating software for the collision repair industry.  Web-Est licenses their collision repair data from Mitchell International^TM and configures the information into its online platform.

Web-Est's services cater to the small to mid-size auto collision repair market by providing a low-cost, high-value, logic-based collision repair estimating software solution. The company's estimates are accepted by most major insurance companies.  Additionally, Web-Est provides services specifically developed to meet the needs of independent collision repair shops in the area of online Internet marketing.

Privately held and based in the Tampa Bay, Florida Area, Web-Est is located in the community of Oldsmar. The company also maintains satellite offices in Columbus, OH and Atlanta, GA.

Contact us at:

Web-Est, L.L.C.
4033 Tampa Road, Suite 100
Oldsmar, FL 34677
www.web-est.com  
Toll Free: (888) Web-Est-0 or (888) 932-3780

Oldsmar, Florida, Web-Est, LLC announced today the launching of the Consumer Repair Network (CRN). The program establishes a national network of body shops that are marketed directly to consumers seeking collision repair shops on the Internet. Each collision repair shop has taken a "Consumer Friendly Pledge"; pledging to the consumer they do not work for the insurance company but work for the consumer. The pledge ensures the repair shop will not compromise the quality of a repair to satisfy cost savings required by some insurance companies Direct Repair Programs or to pay a commission/discount to a third party claims administrator.

The network is not "anti-insurance company", however its network shops remain independent from outside influences that may have a competing interest with the consumer. The goal of the Consumer Repair Network is to provide a quality repair and a reasonable price.

Network member shops are provided a web site as part of their membership in the network and their service area is included in the database of the CRN web site. The Consumer Repair Network web site has been optimized for many of the leading search engines on the Internet, such as Yahoo!®, GoogleTM and others. The network site has many helpful tips for consumers in choosing an independent collision repair shop.

The Consumer Repair Network is part of Web-Est's Premier Service.