1&1 Internet launches 35,000 SMEs online with free web hosting trial

30th August 2005, London: 1&1 Internet Ltd, the world’s largest web hosting provider by known servers, today revealed it had launched over 35,000 UK, US and German SMEs online with its free Test Drive offer.  The result suggests that whilst prices have fallen significantly in recent years, concern over cost remains a significant barrier to web adoption for many small businesses.  1&1 today called upon other IT vendors to put their money where their mouths are and help promote the importance of the web by providing real opportunities for small businesses to experiment online without risk. 

Between 1 April and 1 July 2005, 1&1’s Global Test Drive offer has equipped over 35,000 UK, US and German small businesses with a D-I-Y web presence including 6 months free business level web hosting and a free domain name.  Available with no catches or ties, the offer encouraged small and micro sized businesses to take the plunge and embrace the Internet.

Interestingly, 1&1’s recent Global SME Survey of 55,000 SME customers across UK, US and Germany revealed that over two thirds of participants paid less than £350 a year to run their websites.  However, the results of 1&1’s free trial offer would suggest that for many SMEs there exists the perception of high costs involved and this has prevented thousands from previously launching online.  

Andreas Gauger, CEO 1&1 Internet said, ‘Our Test Drive offer has clearly indicated that a great deal of SMEs are missing out on a web presence because of concerns about cost.  Whilst many IT vendors wax lyrical about the benefits of the web, very few offer small businesses the opportunity to trial web solutions without risk.  It is important that providers play a real part in educating SMEs and help them to experiment with technologies available to them”.

1&1’s Global SME Survey concluded that SME websites provide a highly cost effective means to impact sales performance.  Overall 94.7% of the respondents attributed a positive development to their web presence.  Roughly one third reported to have produced over 20% of the total sales by means of their website.  Furthermore, of those who experienced a change in sales revenue, more than 80% attributed a link to their Internet presence.

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 4,700 employees). 1&1 was established in 1992 and employs 1,700 people. It currently holds over 4 million British, German, French, Austrian and US customer contracts and serves over 5 million domain names at its 28,000 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.