Fourth-generation Web site leasing offers small business value for money

Latest trends in the maturing Internet market now include leasing as an option to gain access to professional, affordable fourth-generation Web solutions. This will bring major cash flow and marketing benefits to small and medium-size businesses.

One such solution is a product called 2lease, which allows you to rent a professional Web site for a modest monthly fee and fully update it yourself. The site is designed and professionally set up on your own domain. The modular structure allows clients to choose functionalities relevant to their business and includes full business-to-business capabilities.

"Self-sufficiency and immediacy are the key," says Mark Magielse of Ukubona, the Avanti award-winning media company that has developed the 2lease solution.

"This way companies or individuals can update their sites without the time, cost and hassle factors of dealing with Web developers. As a result, small businesses also get a tighter grip on their Web marketing."

The 2lease solution has been built around user-friendliness, making it easy for novice users to log in through any standard browser and update the information on their own site. The difficult and more tiresome task of setting up the site is done by the experts.

Magielse says the trend to so-called fourth-generation solutions is revolutionary, as it means content management is no longer the preserve of large companies. However, not just anyone can set up such content management systems, which involve high-end database integration and are built by teams of advanced programmers with a variety of skills sets.

He predicts fourth-generation solutions will increase barriers to entry in the Web business, as it is difficult for small development companies to match the functionality and value that such solutions can offer.

"There is a double advantage. Not only are fourth-generation solutions bringing content management within the reach of the man in the street, but they also eliminate cash flow problems, by offering flexible, tax-efficient financial solutions," Magielse says.

Thus, whereas a small business will typically spend R5 000 for a basic static site plus R200 per month for Web site hosting, 2lease requires no capital layout and no maintenance cost. A basic fee of R1 000 is charged for graphic design and lay-out, after which a rental fee is charged, starting off at R345 per month (ex VAT). The base module includes hosting costs and allows you to fully update your site, adding unlimited sub-pages if you want.

Magielse says the 2lease product is a first to market and unique in that it allows the user to extend functionality by leasing additional modules, such as news, product catalogue and B2B, as your online requirements grow.

Several large stakeholders in the local IT, as well as in other industry, sectors have expressed an interest and the product is scheduled to be launched overseas.

Magielse says individuals and companies should be wary of copycats as the Web site leasing trend takes off. "Make sure the technology is tested and proven and check out the track record of who you`re dealing with."

Visit the site for details: www.2lease.ws