Category Archives: Internet

B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

Increasing interest in mobile app development

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The New Year has already brought about a noticeable increase in companies exploring the world of mobile app development, which is becoming an ever increasing way businesses connect with their customers.

This growing popularity of smartphones, and Android devices in particular, is undeniable, with data released last week by US web analytics firm Chitika Analytics revealing that in North America Android devices overtook Apple iOS handsets when it came to mobile web browsing, and is therefore one of the most popular operating systems that people buy into.

Ever since the very first smartphone came into the marketplace, there has always been criticism over the lack of available apps. However, with the mobile app development industry growing and technology ever-advancing, more apps are being launched with every coming week. Companies are now being forced to wonder what benefits they can reap by launching their own app.

The amount of interest developers have had in relation to mobile apps over the last few months is also as a result of an increasing number of businesses investing in new tablet computers. A new survey has recently claimed that it is not just personal use which is fueling the tablet market, as more companies than ever before will invest in several tablet devices for their workplace during 2012.

According to the NPD Group, 73% of companies in America with less than 1,000 employees plan to buy tablet computers over the next few months, showing that it’s not only large organisations investing in such devices. A significant amount of companies have also spoken of their want to invest in iPads in particular.

Not only is this level of interest keeping developers who specialise in mobile app development busy, but it’s also creating a significant amount of additional jobs for freelance developers. This, coupled with the fact that more and more smartphones running the Android operating system are being launched, things look set to only get busier.

Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject, a marketplace helping UK customers find a freelancer (e.g. freelance web designers and freelance graphic designers), said: “We have witnessed a significant increase in the number of projects being posted on our outsourcing website by those wanting a mobile app for their business. Furthermore, there has been a similar increase in freelancers registering to offer their mobile app development services. This is certainly a growing market and a mobile app is something every business should be considering for the near future.”

With the workloads of app developers likely to increase throughout the year, it’s no surprise that both developers in this market are getting their very own industry body. The idea for a dedicated industry body is being led by Jon Potter, the former executive director of the Digital Media Association. According to a report by Info World, the aim is to establish an organization that can lobby on behalf of app developers, promoting their interests, while at the same time increasing collaboration, improving education and providing shared product-testing facilities.

Jon Potter, the former Executive Director of the Digital Media Association is leading the idea and said: “Our thought now is that there’s an interesting space in the application developer community that isn’t really organised. We’re going to be at the meetups all around the country, we’re going to be at conferences, we’re going to be talking to folks, we’re going to be polling people.”

Via EPR Network
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B2C, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Services, Shopping, Web

Surf The Web In Style With Nationwide Vehicle Contracts

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Nationwide Vehicle Contracts are making it easier to keep a finger on the world’s pulse, thanks to their easy to enter competition which offers a stunning netbook as first prize. Surfing the web is as simple as can be with the sleek, powerful Disgo 300, which will be free to the lucky winner when the competition closes at the end of January.

Staying in touch with friends, family members and work colleagues is so easy, enabling the user to access email systems in seconds. And with spreadsheet and word processor facilities, it’s possible to work on projects even when the individual is away from the office or meeting room.

The Disgo 300 has a crystal clear 7” screen, enabling it to be large enough to be usable anywhere, yet small enough to make it instantly and easily portable. It also has excellent sound quality, making it perfect for listening to the latest tunes, whether through the integral speakers or through a pair of headphones.

As a market leader in the field of car leasing, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts know all about the importance of having Internet access on the go. Their easy to negotiate website is home to full details of hundreds of vehicles, and is jam-packed with some amazing low-cost deals, special offers and free extras.

With the Disgo 300, anyone can access this impressive site with ease, ensuring they will never need to be in the dark about the best car leasing deals on the market. Whether someone wants to take to the streets in a stylish Kia Picanto or a powerful Porsche Cayenne, they’ll find the ideal options at nationwidevehiclecontracts

Entering the competition couldn’t be easier, and merely involves liking the relevant page on Facebook. The social networking site has millions of users around the world, and has become synonymous with instant communication in recent years. Nationwide’s Facebook page provides vital up to the minute details of the company’s offers, and has rapidly become a must-visit for drivers from all over the UK.

Because of this ease of entry, and the magnificent prize being offered, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts are expecting a large response to the competition. At the end of January, one fortunate Facebook user who liked their page will be drawn at random and will be presented with the amazing Disgo 300.

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

Is 2012 set to be a bumper year for outsourcing?

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With the New Year upon us, many companies are now looking at their business processes in order to assess what they can change in 2012. With companies continuing to struggle amidst a challenging economic climate, many are likely to dramatically change how their company operates this year, with outsourcing likely to become the preserve of many businesses attempting to rationalise their cost base.

Last year was a record year for companies operating in the outsourcing sector, with a huge number of businesses looking into the concept in an attempt to cut fixed costs and become more flexible. With the ability to drastically reduce fixed overheads whilst maintaining business operations without interruption and providing access to skilled staff, outsourcing has been a lifesaver for many in 2011, which is why the new year is likely to bring a further uplift in demand for outsourcing services; not only in the UK but overseas too.

In a recent survey conducted by dictate2us, a dictation and transcription service, it was found that 62% of companies plan to outsource administrative jobs this year, to cut the costs of overheads. Chief Executive of dictate2us, Daryl Leigh said :“Many of the administrative tasks typically undertaken by secretaries are necessary but incredibly time consuming. For that reason, it’s important that business owners look objectively at their organisation to question whether outmoded methods of operation are still relevant.”

It is thought that the increased interest companies have in relation to outsourcing is due to the many small business that continue to struggle to find employees with the necessary skills. Research carried out by the Federation of small Businesses (FSB) found that 27% of start up companies struggle to find qualified and skilled staff.

Outsourcing was also a hot topic in the news last year, and this trend appears to continuing in 2012. In one article in particular, published in the Daily Mail, John Neilson, Managing Director of NHS Shared Business Services, has urged the NHS to outsource more of its call centres to India, to further cut costs; a predicted saving of £20 billion by 2014. With articles such as these featuring in various different publications on a daily basis, it is no wonder that more companies are wanting to know what is to be gained through outsourcing, with there being more of a demand for outsourcing companies than there has ever been before.

One outsourcing website in particular that has reaped the benefits of the increase in outsourcing is OutsourceMyProject. With over £1 million worth of projects posted onto the site in 2011, the business is looking forward to what 2012 brings. Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: “Over the course of last year we witnessed a drastic increase in the number of small and SME companies looking to outsource their business functions to professional and freelance experts. Smaller businesses are now waking up to outsourcing, which historically has been viewed as the preserve of only large organizations. The principal benefits of outsourcing are twofold; cutting down fixed cost overheads and accessing skilled services which may not be available in-house.”

About OutsourceMyProject:
Established in January 2011, OutsourceMyProject.com aims to bring together organisations and individuals looking to outsource business functions or projects with freelance providers of professional services. Following the website launch, more than 10,000 providers, including freelance web designers, legal specialists, freelance editing professionals and copywriters have registered with OutsourceMyProject.com to bid on over £1 million worth of freelance work.

Via EPR Network
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Apps, B2C, Entertainment, Free Stuff, Internet, Online, Services, Web

Cycleharmony.com Announces Upcoming Webinar: “Period Pain: What Causes It And How To Find Relief”

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CycleHarmony.com is pleased to announce its upcoming free webinar on the subject of period pain. The purpose of the webinar is to educate women on the causes of period pain, various natural remedies for pain relief, as well as pain prevention by undertaking necessary lifestyle changes.

Los Angeles, CA – If you suffer from various period pains such as cramps, backaches and headaches, you are not alone. According to a poll at CycleHarmony.com, “ period pain ” is listed as the worst PMS symptom, followed by “irritability or persistent anger,” “fatigue” and “breast tenderness.”

According to Jing Jin, the founder of CycleHarmony.com, “Pain is a necessary part of life. It can warn us, teach us, and provide us with important information about our body, our mind and our life. Yet few of us take these messages seriously, let alone develop a healthy relationship with what’s causing them.”

“No one likes pain. It’s unpleasant. It makes us suffer. So we want to get rid of it as quickly as possible,” said Jing Jin. “This is natural. But ignoring pain, suppressing it or hating it doesn’t help us. It may even hurt us in the long run if we continue to ignore the important information our body is trying to communicate to us. More serious issues could surface later on as a result.”

To educate women on how to manage their period pain, and how to cultivate a helpful and constructive relationship with their menstrual cycles, Jing Jin teamed up with Cycle Harmony’s advisors Jason Moskovitz, L.AC. DIPL.O.M., and Leslie Carol Botha to host a free webinar dedicated to this subject.

Jason is a licensed acupuncturist and resident practitioner at Tao of Wellness Clinic in Newport Beach, California. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience from treating women with premenstrual and menstrual conditions. Leslie is a respected educator on women’s health, author, publisher, and broadcast journalist. She offers her wisdom based on 30 years of research on how hormonal changes/fluctuations affect women’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

“We want to bring more awareness to this area. We want to educate women on the causes of pain, and various natural remedies they can use to relieve pain during their premenstrual and menstrual periods. And most importantly, we want to encourage women to develop a new perspective and new way of dealing with pain, one with more curiosity, understanding and compassion,” said Leslie Botha with her trademark passion and conviction.

Via EPR Network
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Advertising, B2b, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Search, Searching, SEM, SEO, Services, Social Networking, Web, Web 2.0, Web Marketing

The Google Homepage Redesign Explained

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QueryClick advise users on the recent changes to the Google homepage as part of its ongoing revamp.

Google has unveiled a new look for its homepage in what is being described as one of the firms ‘biggest changes to date of its homepage’. The revamp, which has been rolled out to a few selected users, has been designed to showcase all of Google’s other products to users – without having taking up too much of the homepage.

Christopher Liversidge, Managing Director of QueryClick explains: “The revamp of Google’s homepage is something that’s been around for a few weeks, and essentially it has been created in order to streamline and ‘tidy up’ Google’s homepage. Currently a user may see the ‘revamp strip’ along the top of the Google homepage, and when this strip is clicked, it reveals seven different Google products, such as Maps, YouTube, Images and Google+ to the user, with the option to reveal another eight related topics, including Calendar, Translate and Reader.”

This revamp, which Google has explained has been created in order to promote all of Google’s services to users in the most accessible and tidiest way possible, unlike some of the other search engines available, such as Yahoo’s infamously ‘busy’ design. Users will also be able to navigate to certain Google services much more easily as this redesign means a maximum of two clicks is all that is needed for a user to move from the homepage to another Google page, such as News or YouTube.

Christopher continues: “The Google homepage had undergone various redesigns since 1998, but the homepage has always stuck to the original format, that is the Google logo, the search bar and the list of all Google’s other services. However, this is the first time that Google has moved away from this design, and it;s very likely that these changes will have come about because of user feedback and case studies, and at QueryClick we know how important SEO case studies are to the search industry, so we’re really looking forward to seeing how this redesign will be received by users.”

Via EPR Network
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Advertising, B2b, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Search, Searching, SEM, SEO, Services, Social Networking, Web, Web 2.0, Web Marketing

Beyonce’s Baby Bump, Justin Bieber and Tigerblood: What the World Tweeted in 2011

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A recent industry survey has revealed the most popular subjects for Twitter users last year, but what does this mean for 2012, ask QueryClick.

With 2012 just beginning, new online industry figures have revealed the topics that dominated Twitter throughout 2011 – and the results are rather surprising. The results, which were put into an infographic by the financial advice website, FrugalDad have revealed that 2011 was truly the year of the celebrity on Twitter, with events such as the singer Beyonce Knowles announcing her pregnancy at the MTV Music Awards generating an incredible 8,696 tweets per second.

Christopher Liversidge, Managing Director of the UK SEO agency, QueryClick comments: “2011 really was a very interesting year for Twitter, as a number of breaking news stories, such as the Japanese tsunami in March and the revolution in Egypt, were widely reported on using Twitter,in fact the hashtag #Egypt was the most used hashtag last year. However, celebrities dominated Twitter throughout most of 2011, with Justin Bieber’s tweets being the most retweeted, with 5 million retweets on average, compared to Barack Obama’s tweets receiving an average of 250,000 retweets.”

In terms of celebrities and Twitter, 2011 was the year that Charlie Sheen joined the social networking site, and broke the record for the fastest time to reach 1 million followers, as after joining on the 1st of March, Sheen hit an impressive 1.2 million followers in a mere 25 hours and 17 minutes. The second most popular hashtag of the year was Sheen’s infamous #tigerblood catchphrase, which was closely followed by the #Japan hashtag.

Christopher continues: “While last year was a very interesting year in terms of politics, international events and revolutions, it would appear that users are still using Twitter to follow their favourite celebrities. While this is probably one of the best ways to find out what famous people are doing, and stay on top of all the breaking gossip, it’s also a great tool for breaking news stories and other big events. Last year was a very important year for the social network, and while it has been dominated by famous names, we at QueryClick believe that in 2012 Twitter will be seen as a more reliable news source for users, and that it will will help them find out about important world events, which is a great use of this unique social network.”

Via EPR Network
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APIs, Apps, B2b, Internet, ISPs, Software, Web, Web 2.0

Business iPad App Of The Year Award

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Business iPad Apps are in high demand fueling the future of American businesses. Now BiziPadapps.com has brought you a contest to see which Business iPad apps are the best for 2011. Vote today for your chance to be the winner for Business iPad App of the Year Award. Voting stops Jan 15th 2011. Winner will be announced Jan 31st 2012.

Much like the crunchies award but we are focused on just businesses that are leading the way into the future using the Apple iPad apps which can help businesses excel into the future. Apple iPad Apps like Drop Box, Docusign, Square and others are among the few that were nominated.

List of iPad Business Apps of the year Nominees that made it to the TOP TEN BUSINESS APPS OF THE YEAR:

In alpha order:

DocuSign
Drop Box
GoCal for Google Calendar
Highrise HQ
iTookOff Paid Leave Tracker
Revel Systems iPad POS
Mint for iPad
Instapaper
SpeakEasy Voice Recorder
Square Payment

With over 500,000 thousand votes so far find out who the winners are for this years contest of Business iPad App of the Year Award. Criteria for this year: which iPad app contributes to businesses and helps them excel.

Via EPR Network
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Struggling Jobs Market Doesn’t Stop Entrepreneurs

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Despite the challenging economic times entrepreneurs are helping to guide the UK economy through these difficult times, as both freelancers fight back against the high unemployment rates and new start up business look set to boost the national GDP significantly.

As a result of unemployment in the UK steadily increasing, as well as the number of unemployed people currently being the highest since 1994, research has shown that a significant amount of people are turning to freelance work, in an attempt to earn money – an increase of 12% since 2008. With the number of freelancers and new business owners on the rise, amidst a struggling jobs market, the strong business spirit is helping us all to avoid a future recession, and to make the very best of a bad situation.

In the current challenging economic environment, businesses are keen to reduce fixed costs costs, often by reducing the number of fixed staff they employ, and are instead employing freelancers. With freelancers working on flexible, short-term contracts, they are paid on a per work basis and are therefore not paid for the times when they aren’t needed, helping to minimise overheads.

This has of course shaken up the freelance industry, with a large amount of work available from many different companies. Whether it be a large retail company looking for a web designer to design and host their website, or an office based company needing a professional to undertake some administrative duties, it seems that outsourcing is the way to go about it, with more outsourcing websites setting up each month.

With many of the websites offering payment and project management platforms, as well as a whole host of other support, it’s a hassle-free way for those with the right skills to earn a sole income, or to supplement their income.

Many people who have been made redundant now seek work through outsourcing websites, in order to continue earning money during a challenging economic time. The amount of people freelancing in this way shows that they’re actively fighting the economic environment, and boosting the UK economy at the same time.

Furthermore, a recent survey has suggested that Britain’s newest start-up businesses are set to add hundreds of millions of pounds to the national economy next year, with outsourcing being the concept that looks set to continue leading the way. The survey, commissioned by T-Mobile and carried out by the Henley Business School, estimated that technologically-focused small businesses launched in 2011 could generated a combined £360m for the UK economy in 2012, generating somewhere in the region of 70,000 jobs.

Outsourcing websites have made it easy for freelancers, from freelance web designers to freelance graphic designers, to find work, whilst also providing businesses with a cheaper alternative in getting their workload and business functions completed. Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: “OutsourceMyProject provides a useful service to freelancers and UK businesses. Our website connects freelance professionals with businesses looking to outsource their workload, and provides them with a platform to manage and complete their jobs. We’ve noticed that sign-ups to the site have increased rapidly over the past 12 months, which is undoubtedly a sign of strengthening freelance marketplace.”

Via EPR Network
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Online voucher codes specialist grows from 5 million to 6 million users in past 3 months

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DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the website which saves people money at over 800 top stores and suppliers, has reported breaking through the 6 million subscriber barrier this week. The money-saving website also announces that its user database is growing by around 10,000 new subscribers every day.

DiscountVouchers.co.uk CEO Gerard Doyle commented: “This new really is a huge endorsement of our way of working and the fact that we have now added daily deals to our offering. 10,000 new users per day is terrific stuff and we anticipate a great year in 2012.”

For further information please see: www.discountvouchers.co.uk
/ends.

About DiscountVouchers.co.uk
DiscountVouchers.co.uk features the latest money saving offers from a growing range of retailers, all updated in real time. Designed to help consumers save money with both leading high street brands and specialist retailers, DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers one of the widest choices of discounts available.

Part of ASAP Ventures Ltd, the company behind the award winning Carrentals.co.uk price comparison site, DiscountVouchers.co.uk is committed to offering a growing range of the best savings available online.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk.

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Internet, ISPs, Online, Services

Plusnet to sponsor Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5

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Plusnet, the Sheffield-based broadband provider, has announced that it is to sponsor the new series of Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5.

Celebrity Big Brother returns on January 5th for a second run, and Plusnet will sponsor the three week run. Plusnet credits will appear on Celebrity Big Brother and CBB’s Bit On The Side, with additional branding online and on short-form content at the official Facebook site, as well as on mobile and iPad.

Nick Rawlings, Commercial Director at Plusnet added: “We’re delighted to be kicking off 2012 with such a cracking TV sponsorship, bringing our brand to a whole new audience.”

The launch night of 2011 Celebrity Big Brother was Channel 5’s highest rating show of 2011 with audiences peaking at 5.6m.

The deal was brokered between Maxus and Channel 5, and creative is being produced by Karmarama.

Agostino Di Falco, Partnerships Director, Channel 5 said: “Celebrity Big Brother will reach more young adults than any other programme in January. The show kick starts Channel 5’s year, and it’s great to see Plusnet thinking along the same lines in developing this partnership”.

Channel 5 was launched as Britain’s fifth and final terrestrial broadcaster on the 31st March 1997.

Currently well over 30 million UK viewers watch Channel 5 any given week tuning in for programming as diverse as the CSI franchise, Extraordinary People, Fifth Gear, live UEFA Europa League Football, Home and Away and Neighbours.

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Private Firms Should Follow The Lead Of The Public Sector, Says OutsourceMyProject

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Businesses in the private sector should follow the example set by an increasing number of public sector bodies and consider outsourcing.

That’s according to one of the UK’s leading outsourcing marketplaces, OutsourceMyProject.com, which says the number of organisations now looking at outsourcing in a bid to reduce their cost base is proof that bringing in the right external specialists can make a big difference.

IT services, finance, HR, payroll and logistics are all areas that are being outsourced by public sector organisations.

Loren Holland, managing director of OutsourceMyProject, said: “The large number of local councils and public organisations including police forces and fire services that have started outsourcing in recent months in a bid to reduce costs in the face of budget cuts shows how much of a difference the right professional services provider can make.

“At OutsourceMyProject.com we see first-hand how much companies are saving by enlisting the help of specialists. The fact that councils and other public bodies are making the same business decisions is further evidence of the crucial and growing role that specialists such as freelance web designers and freelance content writers play in helping businesses to remain competitive across a huge variety of sectors.”

The tender process for public contracts can often be extensive, with organisations spending many months ensuring they enter into a deal with the right partner. Loren said it is just as important for private businesses to make the right decision when it comes to choosing a professional services provider.

He said: “While most firms will not be dealing with 10-year contracts worth millions of pounds, it is still vital for the good of the company to ensure that the external specialist charged with completing a project is reliable and will finish everything on time and to the required standard. Posting a job through OutsourceMyProject ensures that you are always connected to the best freelancers in the business.

Via EPR Network
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Auctions, B2C, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Shopping

Parcel2Go Issues Last Christmas Post Dates Reminder

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Anyone planning to send Christmas packages in time for December 25 has just a matter of days left if they want to ensure their parcels arrive on time, Parcel2Go has said.

The online parcel delivery specialist is reminding private individuals and businesses that they must act soon if they still have consignments waiting to be sent.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “Most of Parcel2Go’s final Christmas posting dates for international destinations, Europe and the UK have now passed, but there are still a few courier companies accepting deliveries. Our advice for anyone hoping to get presents or business consignments to people before Christmas is to act now.”

Customers with deliveries heading for Europe have until Tuesday, December 20 to get their package off with the Parcel2Go Express Saver or DHL EU Express services. When it comes to UK deliveries, then people can book a TNT UK Express service service through Parcel2Go until Tuesday, December 20.

Once this year’s festivities are out of the way, it will be back to work for many people across Britain, including Parcel2Go and the majority of UK’s leading courier services. Deliveries and collections will be made as usual on Wednesday December 28, Thursday December 29 and Friday December 30.

Richard added: “Once the festivities are over for another year, Parcel2Go and its courier partners are fully aware that many individuals and businesses will have important packages to send in the three days between Christmas and New Year.

“We want to remind customers that they can rely on the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service and renowned domestic and international shipping companies such as FedEx, Parcelforce and City Link to get their parcel deliveries to destinations on time and in perfect condition, as they do during the rest of the year.”

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

OutsourceMyProject Breaks The £1million Barrier

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OutsourceMyProject, a UK web based marketplace which allows businesses to outsource work and business functions to freelancers and professionals in the UK and aboard, has just broken a major barrier after having £1 million worth of projects posted on the website since its launch.

OutsourceMyProject launched at the start of 2011 and has already helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and small businesses find a freelancer in service categories such as web design, e-commerce, graphic design, copywriting and administrative support.

OutsourceMyProject is a marketplace which connects skilled professional freelancers and professional service providers with UK businesses seeking to use their services. The website can be used to find and work with a variety of experts from web designers to translators, graphic designers to accountants.

Customers simply post their job on the OutsourceMyProject website, which is completely free of charge, and then receive proposals from experts within hours. The site provides the platform to evaluate and manage service providers with concerns over ability and experience of providers being mitigated by the websites comprehensive feedback and rating system. Furthermore, OutsourceMyProject.com also provides a range of web-based tools to ensure confidence in the execution of your project. These include an online payment platform, project management facility and messaging system to ensure open and clear communication between both parties, all within the safety of the OutsourceMyProject.com website.

Loren Holland, Managing Director OutsourceMyProject said: “Breaking the £1 million barrier within a year of launching the website is a major achievement and one we are all very proud of. This achievement is testament to the value proposition OutsourceMyProject offers small and SME businesses and the strength of the UK freelancing and outsourcing markets at the present time.”

The concept of outsourcing and the use of freelancers to provide essential business services have proved to be a lifeline for many companies over recent years, and this looks set to continue as we face a double dip recession. These difficult economic times have made it more important than ever for companies to tighten their purse strings and streamline their operations. Rather than employ new staff on a full-time basis, specific projects can be completed by freelancers, with exactly the right skills and experience, on flexible contracts.

The number of freelancers registering with OutsourceMyProject has tripled over the past six months. The website attracts everyone from unemployed skilled professionals looking to earn a primary source of income to retired workers and students looking to supplement their income. The website is becoming an essential platform for the UK freelance market, helping them connect with businesses seeking their skills and expertise.

One early customer looking to find a freelance web designer on OutsourceMyProject was Manchester based Edge Worldwide Logistics. Director Philip Edge said: “We posted our job on OutsourceMyProject and received over 20 offers to redevelop our company website from specialists in the UK, India and other offshore locations, all at a significantly lower price than I had budgeted for.”

Via EPR Network
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How To Survive A Double Dip Recession

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With a double dip recession looking likely, businesses are streamlining themselves more than ever before, in an attempt to ensure the struggling economy doesn’t cause the closure of their business.

Cutting everything from staff head counts to workloads, businesses are keen to reduce costs by re-thinking their everyday operations and processes. One example of the type of change being made by businesses is that they are reducing the number of fixed staff they employ, and are instead working with freelancers. With freelancers working on flexible, short-term contracts, they are paid on a per work basis and are therefore not paid for the times when they aren’t needed, helping to minimise overheads.

Delegating work to freelancers in this way is called outsourcing, whereby an outsider is used to provide the product or service needed by the company in question. There are many different business functions that can be outsourced to freelancers, including everything from a company’s finance and account functions, to web design and other IT functions. Outsourcing work enables companies to cut their fixed overheads, by replacing in-house teams with third party organisations and/or freelancers.

The recent economic climate has resulted in potentially the strongest freelance market ever, with many professionals offering their services on flexible contracts, as these skilled individuals look to gain or supplement their income after losing their permanent job, or having their income reduced during these difficult financial times. With today’s society facing such economic uncertainty, freelance work can provide both greater stability and flexibility than a full-time job can offer, which is just one of many reasons working in this way is as popular as it is.

OutsourceMyProject is an ideal site to find freelancers and professional service providers who are capable of undertaking projects and business functions. Furthermore, the site provides a platform to not only find, but also evaluate and manage service providers and projects. Concerns over ability and experience of providers are mitigated by the websites comprehensive feedback and rating system. OutsourceMyProject also provides users with a safe payment escrow service to provide maximum protection to its users.

Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: “Outsourcing is an increasingly popular concept and the benefits have the capability to protect a business during the potential double dip recession. It is essential to operate a streamline business in the current economic environment whilst also maintaining access to skilled professionals who can sustain a business’s front and back office functions. ”

He went on to say: “OutsourceMyProject is a website that connects businesses with freelancers and professional companies looking to offer their services. Customers post their jobs free of charge and receive offers from experts within hours. If you need a freelance web designer or freelance copywriter, to name just a few specialist categories, then we have hundreds of experts waiting to provide their services through OutsourceMyProject, at the most competitive rates. Best of all, posting a job to find a freelancer to complete work is completely free with no hidden costs.”

One recent customer of OutsourceMyProject was Midlands based firm Stephen Gaskets Ltd, who posted their search engine optimization (SEO) project. Rex Baynton the Managing Director of Stephens Gaskets Ltd, said: “We posted our project on OutsourceMyProject and within a few days had received over 20 offers and had appointed a freelance SEO expert. After just a matter of weeks we witnessed a drastic increase in orders via Google, as a result of the excellent work completed by the freelancer we appointed.”

Via EPR Network
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Internet, ISPs, Online, Services

Plusnet Reveals Older Generations Are More Tech Savvy Than The Youth

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A Plusnet study* has revealed that despite 59%** of UK households owning internet enabled PCs, over a quarter (27%) are not familiar with terms such as bandwidth, Wi-Fi, cursor, router and download.

Dispelling the myth that it is youngsters who are most tech savvy of all, the research by the business broadband provider found it was those over 55 who scored well with jargon-busting, as 72% claim they understand all of the terms perfectly. Exactly 39% of 16-24 year olds did not have a clue about these expressions, which is much more than the national statistic of 27%.

Over a fifth (22%) of those aged over 55 have taken lessons on how to use the internet, compared to only 8% of 16-24 year olds, showing that it is not just the older generations who should make use of such classes. Despite widespread belief that the older generations aren’t too confident with technology, when it comes to the internet, they are on par or even more self-assured than those in the younger age brackets.

Sending emails and shopping online are the stronger areas for those aged over 55, with 96% and 91% claiming confidence with these activities, compared to 94% and 83% amongst 16-24 year olds respectively. Online bingo however is something that the younger generations are big on, much more so than the older generations, with 50% of those aged 16-24 confidently playing online compared to only 24% of those over 55.

Talking about the survey, Jamie Ford, CEO of Plusnet said: “It just goes to show that despite the growing online literacy in the UK, people are still unsure of certain key terms and uses for the Internet. An interesting finding from our research is the increased knowledge of the over 55’s who have perhaps had to go out independently and source online learning through support sessions in their local community.”

“Although youngsters have greater exposure to the internet through their communication habits and means of education, it is the older segment of the audience who are making the effort to get to grips with the net, and therefore learning more about how it all works. Perhaps this Christmas it will be the grandparents’ turn to show the grandkids how to use their new gaming console or e-book.”

Via EPR Network
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DiscountVouchers.co.uk Helps UK Christmas Gift Shoppers Save with Latest Deals

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Sourcing that perfect Christmas gift for a loved one this festive season just got cheaper and easier thanks to the latest deals made public by vouchers website DiscountVouchers.co.uk. The online specialist has introduced new Jessops, Argos and Amazon deals this week to let people save.

The latest range of new DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals have been released to help people to get money off toys and bikes for both kids and adults through using new Argos voucher codes. The website is currently home to money-saving deals up to half price toys and save up to half price on all adults and kids bikes.

Users can also log on to the DiscountVouchers.co.uk website right now and access new deals for saving on books, Kindle e-books, DVDs and more from leading e-tailer Amazon. The latest Amazon vouchers available online right now include great value deals such as massive savings – up to 70% off books and also up to 75% off with Amazon’s Amazing 12 Days of Christmas SALE – Savings on Over 100,000 Gifts.

Also to be had in the new choice of deals are vouchers offering savings on digital camera kit and accessories – an excellent gift idea this Christmas. DiscountVouchers.co.uk is the place to go to get Jessops voucher code options which shoppers can use to get 15% off everything at Jessops and 3 for 2 on all photo books.

Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, said, “Christmas is a potentially expensive time for all consumers, and so many people want to spend but also need to work to a budget. Our latest choice of deals is online right now to help people save on top brands like Amazon, Jessops and Argos – perfect for festive gifts for all the family.”

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk.

Via EPR Network
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Plusnet And “Go ON Sheffield” Help Hundreds To Get Online

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Plusnet volunteers have assisted at a number of events around Sheffield city centre as part of ‘Go ON Sheffield’ which supports a nationwide campaign encouraging UK residents to get online.

A team of Plusnet volunteers have been busy helping out at several events across Sheffield as part of a UK campaign run by Race Online 2012, which aims to help offline residents take their first steps with computers and the Internet. In Sheffield alone, there are an estimated 95,000 residents* without Internet access.

Over 50 events were held throughout the City, at venues including Sheffield Town Hall, The Bankers Draft pub on Market Place, High Storrs School and Sheffield United Football Club, with volunteers from UK online centres, Heeley Development Trust, Plusnet and Sheffield University all assisting at the events.

The events catered for a wide range of people including those looking for work, wanting to get in touch with relatives all across the world or just wanting to learn more about the things they love. Betty Tilbrooke, 78, was one visitor who got online for the first time at the event held at Sheffield Town Hall. She said: “I’m sick of calling myself the invisible person because everything that’s interesting is on ‘www’. If I can do this, I can book my cinema and train tickets, and will even be able to order my groceries online if the bad weather comes again this winter. My daughter and son have been saying “Get online Mum!” for ages. If you don’t learn about computers, you’re going to be left behind.”

Plusnet, the broadband company with headquarters based in Sheffield, had 25 volunteers helping out at various events round the city centre. Katy Lomax, Head of Marketing at Plusnet, volunteered at the session held on Friday at the Bankers Draft in Sheffield City Centre. She said: “Even as someone used to being online, it’s not until you show someone the very basics of the Internet again that you realise how much it has impacted your own life. It’s really important that people who do know how to use it can help those who can’t, because without using the internet there is so much that you can’t do.”

Plusnet has sponsored the ‘Go ON Sheffield’ campaign and donated fifty free broadband packages so some of the new online converts can try their new found skills at home. The fifty packages will be given to those who could benefit the most from getting online at home with the winners being presented with their prizes at a celebration event being held at Sheffield United Football Club. The celebration event will also provide an opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who gave their time during ‘Go ON Sheffield’.

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres said: “‘Go ON Sheffield’ has been a really great way for us to engage with people in the locations they feel comfortable. The people that aren’t currently online are often resistant to formal learning environments so, by bringing the learning to them – in pubs, at football clubs and wherever they feel at home – we can break down these barriers and show them the real benefits being online can bring them.

“We wouldn’t have been able to run a campaign as big as this without the volunteers who came from all over the City, and they really made the campaign what it was. By working with Heeley Development Trust and volunteers from Plusnet, Sheffield University and all over, it really felt like we were bringing the city together for a really positive cause.”

Via EPR Network
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Plusnet Announces Business Relocation Into The Heart Of Sheffield

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Plusnet, the Sheffield-based broadband and home phone supplier, has announced plans to occupy a centrally-based location in the heart of the City next year.

During the spring of 2012, Plusnet will begin moving all operations into grade-A office space at ‘The Balance’ on Pinfold Street, S1. The occupancy will be the biggest office let within Sheffield for the last five years, taking over 53,000 square feet.

Jamie Ford, CEO at Plusnet said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for our business and signals another milestone in our amazing story. With such rapid expansion over the last two years this move will enable all business operations including our customer services, to remain together under one roof. This is something incredibly unique for a telecoms provider in the UK.

“At the same time, the move gives us the space to necessitate further expansion as we continue to grow at pace and cements our commitment to Sheffield for the foreseeable future.”

Plusnet, set to celebrate its 15th birthday in February 2012, currently employs close to 700 staff. Throughout its history it has been based in Sheffield and in 2010 took the decision to move off-shore service teams in South Africa back to the city. Since this time, Plusnet has been one of few business broadband) service providers to operate a UK based 24/7 customer service team and in 2011 alone won six awards and has been highly commended 13 times across the broadband industry*. In September, 2011 Plusnet also became officially Which? Recommended.

Jamie Ford continued: “Our staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve this success and I am delighted that we are in a position to reward them with a state-of-the-art working environment. As we continue to grow, I hope the new building acts as another factor to attract local talent to our business.”

Tim Bottrill, partner at Knight Frank and Plusnet’s Adviser and procurer for this deal said: “This is the biggest office let within Sheffield for the last five years and something that we are proud of at our office in Sheffield. The Balance provides Plusnet with an excellent, new HQ facility in the heart of Sheffield. The building benefits from air-conditioned offices which include better meeting facilities; reception area; 24 hour security; landscaped recreational space; staff restaurant; cafe bar and parking. The building also provides excellent access to Sheffield’s extensive network of public transport trams and buses.”

Plusnet is refurbishing four floors in the building and will neighbour current occupants including HSBC and Hill Dickinson. Currently operating from two sites in the city in Tenter Street and Victoria Quays, Plusnet anticipates the move to be complete by the end of May 2012.

Via EPR Network
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Fasthosts Reveals 1 In 3 Consumers Has Posted A Negative Review Of A Firm Online

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Fasthosts, a leading UK web hosting provider, has revealed that one third of British consumers has posted negative material online relating to a company or product.

The survey of 1300 UK consumers* commissioned by the web hosting company found that it is now common place for Britons to express their gripes openly online, most commonly on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as online forums. Over half of young adults have published negative online reviews. Encouragingly for firms, the vast majority of consumers are willing to give a company a second chance if it responds well to their online complaints.

Whilst willingness to share frustrations online is equal across both genders, the issue ranges in frequency according to age. Younger Britons are far more likely to publish their grievances. Some 52 per cent of under 24 year olds have turned to the web in this way. 39 per cent aged 25-34, and 38 per cent of adults aged between 45-54 years have done so. 1 in 4 of those older (28 per cent) vented their concerns online. Geographical location also appears to be a driver, with the issue most common in the south east (38 per cent) and far north of England, such as North East (37 per cent).

However, some 84 per cent of consumers would forgive a company for mistakes and be willing to use it again if the firm engaged with their negative online review and discussed the issues with them.

It appears that few British companies are seeing the benefits of getting to grips with the issue of negative online material. Data from 400 UK small businesses** reveals that few UK companies choose to interact with customers who publish negative material about them. Despite the prevalence of online complaints, only 12 per cent of small firms have ever engaged with an online complaint.

Stephen Holford, Marketing Director, Fasthosts Internet, commented: “It is understandable that many business owners’ first instinct may be to shy away from their customers’ online complaints. However, addressing negative online material enables a company to learn about their customer experience as well as improve their customer retention and online reputation.”

Graham Jones, Internet Psychologist, added: “People who want to complain about a company are getting a sense of freedom and power as a result of social networks and feel encouraged to make such complaints. As a result, this is a growing problem for companies and is something they must do as a matter of routine. Interestingly, several studies show that when people have their complaints positively responded to they are more supportive of the business than they were before the complaint was made. Psychological research shows this is linked to the fact that when the complaint is responded to well, people feel as though they are being cared for, which produces positive emotional responses.”

Via EPR Network
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INeedABargain.com Launches Top Picks for Bargains

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INeedABargain.com launched a feature emphasizing top picks of discount shopping and online coupons of over one hundred and twenty categories. Deals from over thirty web sources are aggregated by INeedABargain.com. The top deals are then picked and ordered by potential popularity. There’s no better time than now, the 2011 Christmas shopping season, for this feature to make its debut.

“Shoppers are eager to see the best deal during these heavy shopping seasons,” says Hsufeng Ko, founder of INeedABargain.com. “That’s why we’re passionate about presenting a combined view of top deals from multiple discount shopping sources.”

While other sites simply put hot deals out there, I Need A Bargain also cites the fact that multiple websites recommend a certain deal. I Need A Bargain counts up the recommendations, which then leads to picking a top deal. This top picks feature has no interference from humans, which means there are no biased opinions. The top picks are updated regularly so that no outdated deals stay the top pick.

The top picks feature lessens the need of browsing through thousands of deals for the best one. Deals are ordered according to potential popularity, with the top picks at the top of the page. All categories, one hundred and twenty-one of them, are organized in the same fashion to ensure consistency, ease of use, and lack of confusion.

Via EPR Network
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