Category Archives: Domain Names

Abuse, B2b, Domain Names, Hosting, Internet, Online, Services, Web

Fasthosts Warns Businesses Not To Copy Others Website Material

Fasthosts Internet Ltd, has warned UK businesses not to be tempted to copy material from other companies’ websites.

This warning comes off the back of findings by the web hosting provider which showed that there was an 89% increase in the number of content disputes reported to its in-house Abuse Department from April 2008 to April 2009. The problem varies from the occasional image being used, right through to entire website designs being replicated. The practice can lead to consumers becoming confused, or even being misled into purchasing from the wrong company.

In many of the cases Fasthosts investigated, the offending businesses stated that they did not realise that copying items of online material could land them in trouble.

A recent Fasthosts’ commissioned survey of 152 UK businesses also found that ‘web envy’ can be a real temptation for time-stretched business owners, with 39% admitting they are presently envious of the website of a closely competing business. Additionally the survey showed that 1 in 4 companies are actually considering reducing their use of external website design services in order to cut costs despite the average company only rating their own website at just 6 out of 10 for effectiveness, yet aiming to treble its online revenue in 2009. At a time when there is a huge amount of pressure on small business owners’ to maximise their use of the web, the temptation to take shortcuts by duplicating material from other companies’ websites can sometimes prove overwhelming.

Steve Holford, CMO Fasthosts Internet, said: “Particularly in a challenging economic climate, business owners may be tempted by the quick-fix of copying another firm’s work. Replicating material for commercial use often breaches copyright. Always obtain permission before using anybody’s website material.”

Significantly, the Fasthosts survey also found that 10% of participants had at least one item of their own company website copied by a third party between March 2008 and March 2009. The issue actually proved to be twice as common as cyber-squatting or other online security breaches. As a result Fasthosts is advising all affected users to contact the offending website hosting provider who should then intervene on their behalf.

Holford added, “Website envy is not new, but the tough economy appears to have led more companies to act unfairly upon it. Businesses will gain a better foothold on the Web and earn most value through a regular output of their own compelling material, and applying time to their website in small manageable steps”.

About Fasthosts
Fasthosts is the UK’s number one web hosting company. Based in the UK and operating 24×7 from their dedicated UK data centres, Fasthosts keeps over 1 million domains running smoothly and ensures over 6 million emails are delivered safely each day. All Fasthosts services can be self-managed through the award winning Fasthosts web-based control panel that provides customers with unparalleled online control, enabling them to manage hosted services including domain name registrations, shared web hosting, business-class email, dedicated servers, software-as-a-service, internet merchant accounts, reseller web hosting and unlimited broadband. Fasthosts’ highly successful reseller channel has recently been rated Number 1 for reseller hosting by industry portal Web Host Directory.

Via EPR Network
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B2C, Domain Names, E-mail, eCommerce, Free Stuff, Hosting, Internet, ISPs, Services, Wi-Fi

Free 20Mb/s Broadband Boost By BT

BT has announced that millions of homes and businesses are set to enjoy a free broadband boost as BT will more than double the headline speeds for its residential and business customers.

broadband

Given BT is the UK’s largest retailer of broadband with 4.8 million customers, the move, which comes in advance of Lord Carter’s Digital Britain Report, will lead to an increase in average broadband speeds.

Over 60,000 consumers already have the faster speeds through a BT trial and the upgrade to ADSL 2+ technology will be available to other homes in the summer. BT Retail broadband customers already enjoy speeds of up to 8Mb/s. The plans will see consumers and business in enabled areas receive faster speeds of up to 20Mb/s as part of their broadband service at no extra cost.

Based on BT’s 21CN platform, the faster speeds will initially be available from 549 telephone exchanges, serving more than 40% of UK homes and businesses. BT plans to extend that coverage to 55% by March 2010 subject to customer demand.

As well as boosting download speeds, upload speeds will increase to up to 1Mb/s. The faster service will enable customers to surf, upload or download data in a fraction of the time, even when several users are on the same connection. This means less waiting around for complex web pages to download and graphics to upload. It is also good news for BT Business Broadband customers looking to use rich media or boost their websites.

BT research has shown that one of the major causes of slower broadband speeds lies in customers’ home wiring. To address this, BT is also set to offer the BT Broadband Accelerator (BT I-Plate) that eliminates electrical interference from telephone-extension wiring, and can improve broadband speeds and reliability. BT will be giving away the devices free to consumers (subject to £2.50 P&P) and businesses that are likely to benefit. Crucially, this will mean more customers with marginal broadband speeds will exceed the 2Mb/s threshold required to benefit from the full range of new internet services, something Lord Carter’s report is set to address.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT Retail said “Unlike other providers, BT is upgrading customers to 20Mb/s for free. High-speed broadband provides a faster and more reliable service that will transform the way we live, work, learn and play. We believe the true value of broadband is in helping customers enjoy the exciting new services that it makes possible. In line with the Government’s Digital Britain review, we will be making higher speeds more widely available.”

In a separate move, BT Retail will begin the first trials of up to 40Mb/s super-fast fibre-based broadband in Whitchurch, South Wales and Muswell Hill, London this summer. Openreach is already delivering speeds of up to 100Mb/s to customers in the Ebbsfleet Valley in Kent, using fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology.

New or re-contracting BT Business Broadband and BT Total Broadband customers in an enabled exchange area will automatically be eligible for the ADSL2+ service at no additional cost. The new ADSL2+ service will be available to business users from the initial launch, and non-business customers from early summer. The BT Business Total Broadband tariff remains the same and includes BT Openzone Wi-Fi minutes.

About BT Business
BT Business understands the challenges that businesses face in the current climate, and supports cost control, improved productivity and winning business through product collections including business broadband & internet, domains & web hosting, data & voice networks, IT solutions and mobile services.

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Domain Names, E-mail, eCommerce, Hosting, Internet, Links, Online, Secure Hosting, Services, Social Networking, Web, Web Design & Development

BT Business Has Launched The Online Starter Kit, A Service Designed To Help Small Businesses Promote Themselves Online

BT Business has launched the Online Starter Kit, a service designed to help small businesses promote themselves online, offering a professionally-built web site and profile in the BT business networking community for £199 including 12 months of web hosting*.

web design packages

For the first time BT Business has brought together all of the essential ingredients for creating an online presence into one low cost bundle. For businesses looking to combine this with their broadband commitment, the Online Starter Kit is also available at just £5 per month with BT Business Total Broadband Option 3.

The bundle includes a web site design consultation and professional web site build, logo design, advice around web site copy and keywords, web hosting, domain based webmail and a BT Tradespace profile – all designed to work together to boost a business presence on search engines such as Google.

One in five small businesses don’t have their own web site, despite £78 billion – 25% of UK retail spend – in this year projected to come from online sales. According to BT Business research the vast majority that do are also not getting the most out of their websites or using them effectively to attract customers. Just one in over 3,000 web sites use keywords in the content they post on their sites, despite the use of keywords increasing the chances of search engines picking up web pages. 42% have websites with bad pages containing broken or invalid links**.

“Every business needs an effective online presence that works well with search engines, but this can sometimes be a daunting step for start-ups,” said Jerry Thompson, Director Business Products and Online. “By bringing everything together in one low-cost bundle BT is helping small businesses take the vital steps to getting online hassle-free. 20% of small businesses now also use social networking sites to win new business, so getting your company web site to work more effectively with social business networks such as BT Tradespace is becoming more and more important.”

BT Tradespace is a dynamic online community for sales and marketing and offers a comprehensive directory of small business products and services. It allows members to use the latest social media tools – podcasts, videos and blogs – to promote themselves, engage with customers, partners and suppliers and sell goods to consumers over a secure and safe trading platform.

* Based on 12mths contract. The Online Starter bundle costs £199 ex VAT. This comprises monthly costs of £5 per month ex VAT for a web hosting service plus a one-off cost of £139.
** Conclusion of an investigation of 70,000 websites released by BT Business in March 09.

About BTTradespace.com
BTTradespace.com is a 350,000-member online community, which enables businesses to sell products and services and connect effectively with other people – in order to build business and customer relationships. BT Tradespace provides social networking for businesses and free website set-up.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

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B2b, Dedicated Servers, Domain Names, E-mail, Hosting, Internet, Secure Hosting, Services

Innovative New Reseller Platform By Fasthosts

Fasthosts Internet Ltd, a leading UK web host, has launched a brand new reseller platform for its UK reseller partners. The solution offers a highly effective platform for structuring and performing a reseller hosting operation.

Reseller Platform

The Fasthosts Reseller hosting package delivers access to a range of customisable web solutions including hosting, domains and email products at discounted reseller rates and features unlimited web space and bandwidth. Presently, new resellers will benefit from a 6 months free offer, allowing them to build their reseller business with no subscription costs. Fasthosts’ new platform sets a new standard in enabling resellers to develop a profitable business in this growing sector.

Reseller web hosting offers a highly profitable business opportunity for IT professionals and entrepreneurs. Resellers can combine re-branded white-label web solutions with their own services, such as web design, programming or IT advice, to create tailored services for niche markets. Users earn recurring profits on items they sell, can set their own price points and may charge for free elements such as unlimited web space, website traffic and email accounts.

Fasthosts’ new reseller platform provides a market-leading level of usability, transparency and control for a reseller. It also offers a high degree of freedom as resellers can create a customised package for each end customer, design and create their own range of packages or simply resell Fasthosts’ off-the-shelf packages. This flexibility means resellers can tailor their services closely to customers’ needs and remain competitive.

Fasthosts’ Reseller Control Panel has been re-engineered to reduce administration for resellers and improve efficiency. The custom branding tools enable resellers to customise their customers’ control panels, webmail and SiteBuilders.

Stephen Holford, Chief Marketing Officer, Fasthosts Internet said “We are focused on making sure our resellers can grow a successful and profitable business, even in this tough economic climate. Our service enables them to not only create their own brand, but also create their own packages. The new platform itself is designed to satisfy the technical needs of a demanding hosting provider and also inspire the complete beginner”.

Fasthosts’ philosophy is designed to free resellers to achieve the best possible business model, with both Linux and MS web hosting, a comprehensive range of domain name registrations and award winning MS Exchange email packages for resale. Other reseller web hosting providers can place limits on web space per end customer and levy expensive charges for bandwidth used. Fasthosts removes these risks with its unlimited web space and bandwidth. While resellers are free to make whatever charges they wish, Fasthosts’ resellers will never face their users being cut-off or unexpected charges from their provider.

In recent months, Fasthosts has promoted reseller hosting as a low risk and profitable way to develop an IT related enterprise. Recent research conducted by the company showed that 80 per cent of companies that begin to resell web hosting in addition to their regular products or services earn a profit from the practice within 1 year. By offering web solutions, many can bolster their revenues and prolong client relationships.

Holford added, “As a reseller hosting specialist, Fasthosts aims to deliver its resellers unrivalled support and innovation in equal measures”.

About Fasthosts
Fasthosts is the UK’s leading web hosting company. Based in the UK and operating 24×7 from their dedicated UK data centres, Fasthosts keeps over 1 million domains running smoothly and ensures over 6 million emails are delivered safely each day. All Fasthosts services can be self-managed through the award winning Fasthosts web-based control panel that provides customers with unparalleled online control, enabling them to manage hosted services including domain registrations, shared web hosting, business-class email, dedicated servers, software-as-a-service, internet merchant accounts and unlimited broadband. Fasthosts’ highly successful reseller channel has recently been rated Number 1 for reseller hosting by industry portal Web Host Directory.

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B2b, Dedicated Servers, Domain Names, E-mail, Hosting, Internet, Secure Hosting, Services

Survey Finds 1 In 3 UK Businesses Have No Time To Improve Website

A new survey of 145 UK businesses by Fasthosts Internet Ltd, a leading web hosting company, has revealed that whilst 69% of firms realise certain aspects of their website may require attention, 32% repeatedly neglect making the changes in favour of spending the time on other aspects of the business.

Fasthosts Internet Ltd

According to the survey, the average small company rates their website at 6 out of 10 for effectiveness, but also aims to treble the income generated by their website during 2009. The research suggests a clear discrepancy between business owners’ online ambitions and how much time they currently invest.

As their shop window to the world, the majority of UK companies recognise that having a web presence is a vital aspect of modern business. However, 27% are unhappy with their website design and a further 25% are concerned that their website does not allow feature sufficient methods to communicate with customers. The research also showed that 1 in 10 businesses would like to replace their website entirely.

Whilst there are plenty of products and services on the market to help enhance business websites, 1 in 3 owners admit to being floored by a lack of time. During the first quarter of 2009, a further 32% of business owners repeatedly sidelined changes to their website. The figures are alarming in contrast to the tough targets the same businesses have set themselves for online activity this year. 71% aim to increase their overall visibility on the Web during 2009, while 55% aim to grow the size of their website and 22% intend to begin online advertising.

Currently, the average business earns 10% of its total sales revenue as a direct result of its website, but in 2009, businesses are hoping to increase this income to 21%-30% of total sales revenue.

Steve Holford, CMO Fasthosts Internet, said: “In challenging economic conditions, business owners are more stretched for time and resources than ever. However, it is important to remember that often the simplest improvements to a website can make a noticeable impact on sales conversion rates. Even a modest business website must receive regular attention to fulfil its potential.”

Fasthosts’ research suggests that UK businesses risk missing their online targets unless they can prioritise the work that their websites require. The issue is further supported by the fact that 26% of respondents admit that tough operating conditions has either already led or may lead them to cut-back on external consultants such as web designers or IT advisors.

As UK online spending continues to snowball, business owners clearly recognise the value in investing in an online presence. 94% believe that every size of enterprise should have a website, and 79% would not wish to go back to the days of solely off-line trading.

Holford added, “Businesses can often find the Internet to be as challenging as the high street. However, a big flashy website is not a prerequisite to achieving online sales growth. With a realistic online strategy and a consistent commitment of time and resource, every enterprise can better achieve their online potential this year.”

 

About Fasthosts
Fasthosts is the UK’s number one web hosting company. Based in the UK and operating 24×7 from their dedicated UK data centres, Fasthosts keeps over 1 million domains running smoothly and ensures over 6 million emails are delivered safely each day. All Fasthosts services can be self-managed through the award winning Fasthosts web-based control panel that provides customers with unparalleled online control, enabling them to manage hosted services including domain name registrations, shared web hosting, business-class email, dedicated servers, software-as-a-service, internet merchant accounts and unlimited broadband. Fasthosts’ highly successful reseller channel has recently been rated Number 1 for reseller hosting by industry portal Web Host Directory.

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Domain Names, Hosting, Internet

Web Host Easyspace offers .TEL for General Availability

Easyspace, one of the largest web hosting and domain name providers in the UK, is now offering the popular .TEL domain extension during its General Availability launch stage.Having just complete its Sunrise and Landrush launch periods, the .TEL has proven to be a highly sought after extension, generating several thousand sales despite the premium price attached to it during those phases.The .Tel domain name Landrush period closed (and general availability opened) at 11.59pm, Monday 23rd March. As part of the transition, pricing and registration restrictions have changed, with the cost dropping to just £12.50 and minimum registration term dropping to just 1 year. Extended registrations are available up to 10 years.The .Tel is a new Top Level Domain (TLD) which enables individuals and businesses to store, updated and publish all contact details, web links and keywords directly on the internet under one unique .Tel domain name. The .Tel extension offers an integrated solution for all communication listings giving unlimited control over how and when users are contacted.Easyspace.com is one of only a handful of UK based domain name registrars who offered the .Tel domain name during its Landrush period, and is one of only a handful to offer it during General Availability.

“The .Tel extension received a massive response during its Landrush launch period despite the premium price attached to it. With that in mind, we’re expecting even more interest now that the price and minimum registration terms have reduced so significantly as part of the transition from Landrush to General Availability.” comments Errol Vanderhorst, Sales and Marketing Director for Easyspace.

To find out more, visit the .Tel domain pages on the Easyspace website at www.easyspace.com/tel_domains

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B2b, Domain Names, Free Stuff, Hosting, Internet, ISPs, Services, Wi-Fi

BT has launched the new BT Business Total Broadband hub, the first business broadband package to provide a free public Wi-Fi hotspot

Any business can now offer Wi-Fi to visitors – either as a free service or by selling BT Openzone vouchers to create a new revenue stream.

Perfect for firms including restaurants, hotels, cafes, doctor and dentist waiting rooms, the hotspot is automatically enabled in the new BT Business Total Broadband hubs at no extra cost. Hub owners buy BT Openzone access vouchers from BT and can choose to pass the vouchers to their customers or resell the prime business service and add revenue.

Users can check email, surf the web or make VoIP calls using a separate, secure internet channel at broadband speeds. The owner’s traffic is always prioritised and the owner and guest wireless network identifiers (SSIDs) are separately listed for security.

Visitors can get online using a BT Openzone voucher. In addition, all BT Openzone customers, BT consumer Total Broadband members of the BT FON community and BT Business customers with a mobile broadband service receive inclusive BT Openzone minutes as part of their broadband package.

In addition to the BT Business Total Broadband hotspots, customers can choose from more than 120,000 UK and Ireland commercial and residential locations including airports, railway stations, leading hotel chains, motorway service stations, coffee shops, marinas and extensive coverage across 12 major city centres.

The innovation means BT Business now provides the most complete broadband experience for customers, both inside and outside their homes. It follows a recent 35 per cent discount for Option 3 mobile broadband customers and savings of up to 34 per cent on the BT Talk Time mobile package, which now includes free mobile email offer and a BlackBerry Bold® when you sign up for 24 months.*

Bill Murphy, managing director BT Business said: “Offering Wi-Fi adds value and is good customer service. It can also allow businesses to make incremental revenue. The service is helping our customers stay online and keep productive during these times.”

20,000 existing customers have already received firmware to enable the hotspot in theirBT Business Hubs and a further 200,000 will receive the upgrade this quarter.

BT Business Total Broadband customers who wish to switch off the hotspot capability can do so using the Hub Manager on their desktops.

* The Free Blackberry BIS Email subscription excludes any additional services e.g. Satellite Navigation, Internet Calling or BT Business Email (charges apply). Offer extended until 31.3.09. Normal bolt-on price £5. BT Talk Time Subscription from £20.25 a month. Excludes Roaming. Requires 24 month term. Customers taking this offer can also take Satellite Navigation for the reduced rate of £5 a month. Conditions apply.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

BT Business understands the challenges that small and medium businesses face in the current climate, and supports cost control, improved productivity and winning business through core product collections including business broadband & internet, domains & web hosting, data & voice networks, IT solutions and mobile services.

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B2C, Domain Names, Internet, Online, Web, Web Marketing

Often Referred To As dotMobi, .mobi Is A Top-Level Domain Committed To Delivering The Internet To Mobile Devices Through The Mobile Web

Websites that use the .mobi extension are created specifically for mobile devices such as mobile phones and handheld computers to make them easy to browse and reduce download time. If you see a .mobi domain name, then the website on your phone will work. If you see a .com website today, it may work or you may download more content than your phone or budget is set to receive.

Now you can navigate on your cell phone as you search for the perfect website when you are on the go. Thanks to the .mobi concept, users will receive a smooth and enjoyable online experience.

.mobi sites are popping up on posters in subways and on .com sites of corporations advertising their .mobi sites and best of all in EXCLUSIVELY .mobi directories.

.mobi is backed by leading mobile operators, network and device manufacturers, and Internet content providers, including Ericsson, GSM Association, Hutchison 3, Microsoft, Nokia, Orascom Telecom, Samsung Electronics, Syniverse, T-Mobile, Telefonica Moviles, TIM, and Visa and Vodafone.

According to Ipsos Insight’s Latest “The Face of the Web Study”, Mobile Phones are on the brink of surpassing the PC as the major internet platform in many markets.

The study revealed that in the United States,“three in four households own a mobile phone.” Consumers are now demanding better access and a better experience when using their phones to access the internet. With 4 cell phones purchased to 1 pc sale, the number of people that access the internet with a cell phone is expected to increase significantly. To be apart of the .mobi revolution and join our team, please visit franchises.mobi

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Abuse, APIs, Auctions, B2b, B2C, Broadcasting, Chat, Child Safety, Contextual, Dedicated Servers, Domain Names, E-mail, eCommerce, Free Stuff, Hosting, Internet, ISPs, Links, Online, Podcasts, Privacy, Programming, Search, Searching, Secure Hosting, SEM, SEO, Social Networking, SPAM, Tracing, Traffic, Video, VOIP, Web, Web 2.0, Web Design & Development, Web Directories, Web Images, Web Marketing

Welcome to EPR Internet News

EPR Internet News is a new blog, part of EPR Network, that is going to be focused on and will be covering the Internet news and stories from press releases published on EPR Network.

EPR Network (EPR stands for express press release) is one of the nation’s largest press release distribution networks on Web. The EPR’s nationwide network includes 12 State based PR sites, one major PR forum and a number of industry specific PR blogs and what started as a hobby on Internet years ago turned out to be a rapidly growing business today. EPR Network is also known as one of the most trusted (human optimized, published, edited and monitored, spam/scam/low quality PR content free) PR sites on the web with more than 10,000 company and individual press releases distributed per month. EPR Network is putting your press releases on top of all major search engines’ results and is reaching thousands of individuals, companies, PR specialists, media professionals, bloggers and journalists every day.

EPR Network has thousands of clients around the world including global 500 corporations like Hilton Hotels, Barclays Bank, AXA Insurance, Tesco UK, eBay/Skype, Emirates, just to name a few. The network’s PR web sites are currently reaching from 150,000 to sometimes 500,000 unique visitors per month while our viral reach could possibly go to as much as 1M people per month through our presence across various social media sites. EPR Network was established in 2004 and as of May 2008 it had more than 800,000 press releases (pages) published on its network.

If you have a press release to be distributed, you can do it over here: press release distribution