Small businesses in the UK have been given an easy way of getting onto the internet with a complete package launched today by Virgin.
The Richard Branson backed service – www.virginbiz.net – hopes to double the amount of small businesses with a web presence by the end of the year.
The UK has one of the lowest proportions of small businesses online: just 3% of companies with less than 20 employees have a web site. Branson said: “I began my business from a public telephone back in 1972, and an awful lot has happened since then. If only the internet had been around for me.”
Businesses will be able to choose from a range of packages that will include web access, a web site designed for them, a merchant number to sell online editorial content and a support line to give them monthly progress checks.
Managing director of Virgin Biznet, Mylene Curtis, said: “The time and costs involved in setting up online are too high for many small businesses. But research has shown that the internet will be as important to a business as a fax machine was – soon it will be essential.”
Users of the service will have a web site up and running within a week, with the most complete package costing a company around £1,300 for the first year.
Many companies have found it difficult to set themselves up on the web, despite understanding its benefits. Initial costs to develop an e-commerce site are around £6,000.
Marketing director for Virgin Biznet Afam Edozie said: “Businesses will be able to come to us and get a completely functioning web site within a week. We will register the domain name and businesses will be contracted to us for 12 months, but after that they can walk away with the domain name and the web site if they wish.”
The Virgin Biznet web site will also act as a small business ‘portal’ site, with a full directory of all the businesses that sign up.
EGi News 14/10/99
