1&1 Internet provides 6 months free web hosting and domain name to small businesses

May 03, 2005 - London: 1&1 Internet Ltd, the world's largest web hosting provider by known servers, today launched an offer that provides any UK small business with 6 months free web hosting and a free .co.uk domain name.  Available with no catches or ties, 1&1 Test Drive aims to encourage more small and micro sized businesses to embrace the Internet. 

From today until 30th June, 1&1's Test Drive equips an enterprise with a free business level web hosting package and their own .co.uk domain name.  The solution is worth around £110.  Users need only to subscribe to the offer via the 1&1 website - www.1and1.co.uk.  Like all 1&1 web hosting customers, participants will receive 1&1 DynamicSiteCreator enabling any level of user to create a professional Flash website within minutes.  The offer delivers all the ingredients needed for a small business to enjoy a web presence within hours. 

1&1 Test Drive was inspired by 1&1's recent SME Survey 2004, which polled 25,000 UK SMEs and 1000 members of the public.  The research found that SME websites across a range of sectors made a highly positive impact upon sales revenues and were a highly effective and affordable method of communication.   The Test Drive offer will allow more businesses to be online and remain competitive.

Andreas Gauger, CEO 1&1 Internet, said "Our work with SMEs has helped to show just how vital a web presence is for small and micro sized businesses.  However, some still shy away from the web, mistakenly believing that they do not have the resources necessary to have a website.  1&1 is providing the Test Drive to allow businesses to experience at first hand and without risk, just how easy and affordable it can be to launch online.  The offer is a unique opportunity for SMEs to see the difference that a website can make to their business".

The 1&1 SME Survey 2004 also recorded a healthy public awareness and support for SME websites and concluded that small businesses are riding the wave of increased Internet usage.   The findings lend further weight to the argument that every UK small business should make its mark on the web.

1&1 web hosting benefits from world class features that ensure a harder working website.  All 1&1 web hosting packages are supplied with the exclusive DynamicSiteCreator, WebsiteCreator, PDF2Web Converter, WebStatistics, Multimedia Archive, Newsletter Tool and eQuisto Merchandise Shop.  1&1 Hosting customers also receive the optimisation software Hello Engines! 4.0 and Ranking Toolbox 3.0 to deliver an enhanced chance in search engine rankings.

1&1 currently serves over 3.5 million customer contracts worldwide and hosts some 5 million domain names.  1&1 provides the security of 99.9% uptime and enjoys an industry leading 18,000 MBit Connectivity via its own pan-European backbone.  All 1&1 packages are supplied with 24/7 Express Support and a 60 day Money Back Guarantee.

For more information on 1&1 Internet Ltd visit the website at www.1and1.co.uk  

About 1&1 Internet Ltd

1&1 Internet Ltd based in Slough, west of London, is Europe's No.1 web hosting and domain name registration company. 1&1 Internet Ltd is the UK arm of 1&1 Internet AG based in Germany (a subsidiary of United Internet Group, a public company of some 4,500 employees). 1&1 was established in 1992 and employs 1,500 people. It currently holds over 3.5 million British, German, French, Austrian and US customer contracts and serves 5 million domain names at its 26,000 server strong European Data Centres. 1&1 prides itself on being the one-stop-shop for web solutions.

1&1 Internet Ltd entered the UK domain registration and web hosting market in June 2000. As a well funded profitable company, it is in a strong position to deliver a high quality service at low cost. 1&1 is an accredited Registrar with ICANN (.com), Nominet (.co.uk), Afilias (.info) and NeuLevel (.biz). 1&1 are also Microsoft Joint Development Partners being the first to launch Microsoft .NET Server 2003 hosting in Europe.