Google SA is dropping its popular wozaonline offering, forcing thousands of small and medium companies to look elsewhere to promote their presence online.
Wozaonline launched almost four years ago as a platform for SMEs to easily create free Web sites. ITWeb understands, via a Google search, it has attracted almost 50 000 entities which have listings thanks to the portal, some of which are not for profit companies.
However, administrators of these sites are now being informed - when they log in to update the portals - their sites will disappear from May. The alternative offering, says Bette Kun, owner of BJK Marketing, who has used wozaonline to develop five sites for small businesses, does not fill the void that will be left by wozaonline.
Better plans?
Google argues the portal's disappearance is part of its plan to improve its suite of offerings for small businesses in SA. It notes all affected users have been notified and given alternatives. Among these is to move sites to its partner, HostGator, notes the site builder frequently-asked-questions page.
"Closing offerings always involve tough choices, but we do think very hard about each decision and its implications for our users, and we want to ensure that businesses in South Africa get the best of the Web, which is why we're introducing new options."
Kun notes Google wants site owners to place their portals on its My Business offering, which she argues is a business directory and does not provide a Web site. She adds this solution only allows limited information to be placed online.
Moreover, says Kun, if people want to move their site to one of Google's partners, the entire portal has to be started from scratch, as it cannot just be copied over, and companies will pay $21.99 a year for hosting. She adds listing the new sites on My Business takes at least two months because the new portal must be verified.
Disappearing act
Kun says Google SA's move is "disastrous" for small businesses, especially those which have static sites that they do not update often. "I bet you many Web site owners will not even know their Web sites are disappearing in May."
Popular Soweto venue Chaf Pozi, which was using wozaonline, has already relocated its site, while some other businesses ITWeb reached were not aware their sites would disappear off the Internet. AfricanSky Energy owner Zaire Khan says, although he has since relocated his Web site, Google's move will be a "blow" to small businesses which are cash-strapped and need all the help they can get.
You Name It owner Chantal Moreira, who became aware of the pending end of her site during the festive season, when she logged in to update it, says Google's move is upsetting and "frustrating". She is currently looking at options for a new portal, but notes Google's alternatives are "confusing".
Wozaonline offered free Web sites, a free sub-domain name and hosting through Vodacom Business, a free listing on Google Places, the use of Google tools and resources, access to training material and workshops, free online support available via Google Chat and e-mail, as well as a year's free top-level .co.za domain name for the first 10 000 applicants.
At the time of launch, Google said it had launched similar initiatives in 23 other countries around the world, from Great Britain, Canada, and Australia to Brazil, Indonesia, France, and Poland, bringing 400 000 businesses online in two years.
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