Streamline.net reveals that only 1 in 10 small firms update their website daily

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:48:07 GMT

Streamline.net, a leading UK provider of web hosting, has revealed two sets of new research that shows a worrying number of firms could be taking their foot off the Internet pedal. The company's latest 'Small Business Bytes Survey' of 2400 UK firms* finds that only 10 per cent of small firms are updating their websites on a daily basis with 1 in 3 firms admitting that updates are being done ‘infrequently’.

A further study of 400 UK firms** finds that over half of Britain’s small companies are now building and maintaining their website themselves. However, the data reveals that many time-strapped business owners are limited to using their evenings to address their web presence. Whilst businesses clearly see value in the web, the research suggests that many could be losing revenue by cutting corners with their web presence.

The survey carried out by Streamline.net, which specialises in providing value web hosting, also found that many small companies with a website struggle to maintain a compelling web presence. Despite two thirds of those surveyed having had a business website for 2 years or more, only 1 in 10 firms succeed in making updates on a daily basis. 1 in 4 companies admit to updating their websites on a monthly basis. Over half (54 per cent) admit to making technical tweaks only 'infrequently'. In general, investment in the web is modest. For example, one third of companies surveyed use only a single domain name, and three quarters own less than 6 domains.

It appears that for many firms online marketing is an area that can be neglected. Alarmingly, nearly half of firms (48 per cent) are not currently advertising on search engines. 1 in 3 (34 per cent) are unable to quantify the popularity of their website as they do not look at their visitor numbers. For many companies, the web is still not performing as strongly as traditional methods of generating new business. At present, 'word-of-mouth' is viewed as the most important driver, with the company website ranking third after printed advertisements in second place.

Claire Lewis, Marketing Manager at Streamline.net, said: "Important elements like Search Engine submission and website measurement can transform the return from a website. There are now easy-to-use and affordable tools for achieving these to suit all budgets, so every company should check they have these bases covered."

Lewis added: "Business owners have felt the pressure in recent years. It is perhaps understandable that work on the company website can often get relegated to evenings. However, every firm should ensure they invest quality time and energy into presenting the right image and engaging with their website visitors. Leveraging an up-to-date website package can help, as today there are features designed to make the process far quicker and more enjoyable."

As a market leader for value web hosting, Streamline.net can offer small businesses a high quality professional, reliable service at low cost. Customer websites are hosted in a state-of-the-art UK data centre, and customers receive free technical support by phone or email. Streamline.net offers a comprehensive range of web solutions including email packages and tools for online marketing.

Notes to Editors:
* 2479 UK small businesses using a website surveyed via electronic feedback form
** 410 UK small companies using a website surveyed by OpinionMatters via electronic feedback form

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Streamline.net unveils new value hosting packages

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:07:06 GMT

Streamline.net, a leading UK provider of value web hosting, has unveiled its new range of packages that once-again drive the standard for value-for-money in the hosting market.

The new web hosting range is suitable for both consumer and small business customers alike and features a new entry price equivalent to £1.75/month including VAT. In addition to its low pricing the packages also feature sizable web space, inclusive tools to build and promote a website and unlimited website traffic. Streamline.net is also launching a Pay-As-You-Go option for its hosting, which is ideal for individuals wishing to experiment with an idea on the Internet. Furthermore, new customers signing up to eligible packages will receive 1 free .COM domain registration for 1 year. The new range is designed to address the growing UK market for low cost web solutions.

The new Streamline.net hosting range comprises 4 package types. Both the Starter hosting package (500MB web space) and the Personal hosting package (3GB web space) are packed with features and benefit from instant set-up and unlimited website traffic. Both solutions include Streamline.net’s, easy-to-use 10 page SiteBuilder tool for creating a professional looking website within minutes. The Plus package (10GB web space) also includes 1 free .UK domain name, 1 MySQL database and 5 anti-virus and spam protected mailboxes.

Streamline.net's new flagship Multi-site package (20GB web space) provides improved functionality at a highly competitive price. The solution can deliver up to 10 separate websites, unlimited personalised mailboxes and webmail, and provides both raw log files and SSH access. With support for all main scripting languages (ASP, PHP, Perl, Python), the package is suitable for web professionals and growing businesses. Significantly, all Streamline.net hosting packages are available in either Linux or Windows at no additional cost.

Steve Holford, Marketing Director at Streamline.net, said, "Our new packages provide the highest possible specification at very low monthly prices. Streamline.net has always focussed on delivering long-term value for money and advanced features without the premium price. We have invested heavily in both product development and customer care to ensure our packages meet all expectations. For users that wish to lower their costs but not their performance, our web hosting is the ideal choice".

Web hosting and domain registration prices have rarely been cheaper in the UK market. As the market leader for value web hosting, Streamline.net can offer a high quality professional, reliable service at low cost. Customer websites are hosted in a state-of-the-art UK data centre, and customers receive free technical support by phone or email. Streamline.net offers a comprehensive range of web solutions including domain name registrations, email packages and tools for online marketing.

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About Streamline.net
Established in 1999, Streamline.net is a leading value web hosting provider. Based in the UK and operating 24x7 from dedicated UK data centres, Streamline.net hosts over 150,000 websites. The company focuses on providing unrivalled value for web solutions. Streamline.net delivers a high-quality online service at the lowest possible prices. Streamline.net products include tools for web design, search engine optimisation, web mail and eCommerce.

Streamline.net research reveals unmemorable web addresses holding back small firms

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:09:48 GMT

Streamline.net research reveals many small firms may be held back due to poor web address choices.

The study of 1300 consumers* by Streamline.net, a leading provider of value web hosting found that 1 in 5 Britons who use small business websites regularly struggle with domain registrations that are convoluted or difficult to recall. Younger age groups are far more critical, with around 1 in 3 judging the SME domains which they use to be unattractive. A further poll of 189 UK firms** showed that whilst 34% were not satisfied with their web sales, only 3% are considering making any change to their primary domain name. With 70% of Britons now willing to conduct business with SMEs via the Web, the ability for a consumer to easily recall a web address has never been so important.

Streamline.net's study of 1300 shoppers during the Christmas shopping period, found that the web addresses of small firms are a bugbear for 25% of men and 20% of women. Younger age groups were far more critical than older ones with around 1 in 3 Britons aged 16 to 35 reporting unattractive or unmemorable business domains, as compared with only 13% of those aged over 55 years. In terms of region, London is by far the most critical with 32% of all consumers affected as opposed to only 11% in Northern Ireland and 14% in Wales.

In fact, making modifications or additions to a company's web identity is one of the quickest and cheapest ways for businesses to optimise their use of the web. It appears that many firms could benefit from reviewing the pros and cons of available domain options and using feedback from external audiences, such as potential customers.

Steve Holford, Marketing Director at Streamline.net, said "The data suggests that many small businesses undervalue the effect their web address can have on their consumers' behaviour. There is a real danger their work and investment on the web can be undermined by the simple fact that consumers cannot remember their URL. Domains have reached a level of affordability whereby every business owner can now afford to experiment with alternative domain choices".

Streamline.net recommends that companies explore opportunities within less obvious TLDs including .biz, .net and .eu. For example, Streamline.net offers the .LTD.UK domain registration for only £4.25/year+VAT. Additionally, web hosting packages are supplied with free inclusive .UK domains.

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Notes to editors:
* 1324 UK adults who have used small business websites surveyed via electronic feedback form
** 189 UK firms with a website surveyed via electronic feedback form

About Streamline.net
Established in 1999, Streamline.net is a leading value web hosting provider. Based in the UK and operating from its dedicated secure UK data centres, Streamline.net hosts over 150,000 websites. The company focuses on providing unrivalled value for web solutions. Streamline.net delivers a high-quality online service at the lowest possible prices. Streamline.net products include tools for web design, search engine optimisation, web mail and eCommerce.

Streamline reports small firms floored by basic web errors

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:37:14 GMT

Streamline.net web hosting research finds the majority of consumers using SME websites in the past year experienced usability faults.

The Streamline.net study of 1700 consumers found that 83% faced faults including unfinished web pages, broken URLs and an out-dated design. A further survey of 450 UK firms revealed that whilst half consider their website to look 'professional', 1 in 3 owners admit that they are guilty of 'neglecting' their sites. There is also a worrying discrepancy between where consumers wish to find web addresses, and where companies are displaying them. For example, 48% of firms still do not make any efforts to optimise their URL on search engines. Whilst 1 in 5 consumers took a web address from the side of a small company's vehicle, only 10% of small firms currently display theirs in this way.

The data from Streamline.net showed that many SMEs are alienating web users through simple web errors. 76% of consumers have now used the website of a small business. Whilst 47% of consumers consider their experiences of such sites to be overall 'good', a further 1 in 4 Britons conclude such websites to be 'barely usable'. In the past year, 83% of online consumers found faults on more than one occasion. Web errors reported included unfinished web pages (54%), broken URLs (52%), outdated email addresses (50%), and missing contact details (31%).

Top design gripe with SME websites is an outdated website design, faced by one third of users in the past year. 1 in 5 online consumers have encountered superfluous descriptions of products and services. 20% have been confused by the use of generic corporate images that bear no relation to specific company's.

The findings are in contrast to another survey of 450 small firms where 76% felt confident that the language on their website could in no way be perceived negatively, and 84% saw the images on their website as fit for purpose.

Steve Holford, Marketing Director at Streamline.net, said, "As with many areas of business, if the basics of a website are not sound, customers will be deterred from purchasing".

Almost half of companies (48%) made no attempt at optimise their position on search engines, when 77% of consumers call upon these. Many enterprises are prioritising the display of their URL in places unpopular with online consumers. 43% of companies publish their web address on industry websites whilst only 15% of consumers use this source. Remarkably, only 9% display their web address on signage or windows of their premises, when 1 in 5 Britons have made use of a domain name taken from here in the past year.

Holford added, "Every opportunity to capture online custom must be seized upon, which means promoting a web address in every possible environment - online and off-line".

Streamline.net provides a comprehensive range of domain registrations. Users can even try free web hosting for 3 months with Streamline.net.

About Streamline.net
Established in 1999, Streamline.net is a leading value web hosting provider. Based in the UK and operating 24x7 from dedicated UK data centres, Streamline.net hosts over 150,000 websites. The company focuses on providing unrivalled value for web solutions. Streamline.net products include tools for web design, search engine optimisation, web mail and eCommerce.

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