1&1 Announces 6 Months Free Hosting

1&1 Internet Ltd, a web hosting company, today announced a 6 months free hosting offer to support business endeavors in this new year.

The company claims that the offer is intended to encourage small- and medium-sized companies to launch new or re-energized web presence and e-commerce initiatives, and so increase revenues and efficiencies derived from the web during 2011.

It articulates that throughout January and February, the company is offering 6 months free on all shared web hosting packages from Home package upwards, based on a new 12 month contract. Customers pay for only the second 6 month period. A one-time low setup fee applies, which is GBP 4.99 for the Home package and GBP 9.99 for the Business, Business Pro and Developer packages.

According to the company, its web hosting includes generous quotas of web space, free inclusive domains, search engine submission, 1&1 WebsiteBuilder, multiple email accounts and unlimited website traffic. For example, the 1&1 Home package, free for the first 6 months (and then GBP 4.99 per month+VAT thereafter), includes 12 page 1&1 WebsiteBuilder, 10 GB web space, 1 free .UK domain, free Online Office software suite and EasyShop. The Business package is also included in the offer (and then GBP 8.99 per month+VAT thereafter), and comes with 3 free .UK domains and more advanced web building tools including 10 MySQL databases, RSS Feed, In2Site Live Dialogue and Version Control Management (git).

It explains that in order to help small businesses benefit from the boom in mobile internet surfing, the company currently offers its hosting packages with free professional web design software. Depending on the chosen package, new customers receive full versions of either NetObjects Fusion 1&1 Edition or Adobe Dreamweaver CS4, (both for Windows OS). Both solutions allow easy creation of a website optimized for mobile viewing. According to the company's recent 'SME Mobile Website Audit' of 530 small firms, 53 per cent have never checked the appearance or functionality of their website for Smartphone users. From companies that have, 41 per cent admit their website has a reduced appearance, and 36 per cent offer reduced functionality. Its software offer is an ideal way for SMEs to engage with mobile consumers, and capture new sales revenue.

The company further explains that it also extends its 6 months free offer to all 1&1 eShop solutions. 1&1 eShops provide a powerful, template-driven e-commerce platform that enables any level of user to create a fully functional, consumer-friendly online store within minutes. 1&1 eShops are priced from GBP 9.99/month+VAT, with a 12-month minimum contract term. A one-time low setup fee of GBP 9.99 applies. 1&1 eShops support up to 20,000 product items and include features such as eBay Integration, Downloadable Items, Stock Management, 1&1 Coupon Code tool and 1&1 Ad Efficiency Monitor. The packages are an ideal way for small companies to start or grow their e-commerce activities in a cost-effective, easily scalable fashion.