May 23, 2006 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Smaller local businesses and self-employed people unable to bear the cost of establishing websites are disadvantaged to the point the Internet may well have an adverse impact on their futures. In addition, Internet users looking for services on the Internet feel their choice of local businesses is limited to those who can afford a web presence. To redress the balance two UK entrepreneurs have set about addressing a situation that is causing local businesses to be neglected and consumers to be dissatisfied.
Urmil Patel and Kyle Fontaine of WebandPrintUK.com in the United Kingdom have initiated what they are calling the ‘199 Website Challenge’. The challenge involves the pair in designing 199 websites for local businesses in north-west London, completely free of charge. The scheme’s homepage, http://www.199websitechallenge.com, displays advertisements for the businesses taking part in this challenge and will ultimately turn into a web based billboard featuring an advert and link to each of the local business websites they design. “We will keep our homepage online for at least 3 years. This will give local people the opportunity to use the billboard to find products and services they need and support local businesses”.
Each business involved in the scheme will receive a free domain name, a 3–page website and ongoing update support for a period 12 months. Those involved will only be asked to make a weekly contribution to web hosting costs. “Now there’s no reason why local businesses should feel threatened by the increasing use of the internet!”, added Mr. Patel and Mr. Fontaine.
