Member Article

Small businesses offered free web presence

Following on from the news reported last week in The bdaily that one in ten small businesses still do not have an online presence, small companies can now take advantage of a free web domain name and website. The ‘Beta’ trial period for Microsoft Office Live, a set of internet-based tools tailored for small businesses, has now finished and firms currently lacking a web presence can sign up for free.

Tim Kimber, head of Office Live in the UK, said: “The internet offers small businesses a fantastic opportunity to reach out to new markets, raise their profile and compete on a level footing with larger competitors. However, many lack the in-house expertise or funding to match the technology budgets of these larger organisations.”

Small businesses can create a website, use company branded email accounts and manage their customer databases and calendars all through one online account. The basic package also includes tools to monitor web traffic and purchase keywords in line with advertising budgets. More than 30,000 small businesses in the UK tested the software during its beta programme and alterations have been made according to feedback received. The software now includes additional web templates and the ability to modify and import HTML to create more sophisticated sites.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .