On 25 February 2010, a grouping of private and non-profit organisations announced 'Getting British Business Online' (GBBO) an ambitious joint initiative to get 100 000 businesses online with a free website by the end of 2010.

Despite operating in one of the most advanced eCommerce markets in the world with over 40 million people now online, as many as 1.5 million businesses in the UK do not have a website. Many businesses are not yet online either because they see it as too costly, too complicated or not necessary - often all three.

Central to 'Getting British Business Online' is a new 'wizard' tool that businesses can use to create their first website in around 15 minutes. Businesses will be given a free .co.uk web address and can choose a website from a variety of templates to suit their business needs. The new websites will be included in Google's search index and added as a business listing in Google maps. Businesses will also be shown the tools with which to promote their new websites.

The businesses taking part will be provided free advice and phone support to help them create an effective online presence, and in the next couple of months it will be possible to turn GBBO-powered website into an ecommerce platform in just a few clicks. This means they will be able to begin selling to customers and accepting payments quickly and securely via the web.

Additionally, e-skills UK, one of the partners of the initiative, has developed an IT qualification (ITQ) that will allow businesses to develop the skills and confidence necessary to get online. Using the Google suite of tools, the ITQ for Doing Business Online will help businesses to build their own website and get the most from it, helping them to be more competitive. Several major Awarding Organisations, including City & Guilds and OCR, are backing the initiative and their training centres across the UK will be delivering the course to small businesses. 

 

Further information: 

• Original news article - e-skills UK
• 'Getting British Business Online' initiative