Zynet Acquires ZyWeb And Adopts New Business Model

ZyWeb, the successful web page builder developed by ZY.com, has recently been acquired by a subsidiary of Zynet Ltd, one of the earliest ISPs in the UK, formed in 1994.

The new owner, ZyWeb Ltd, recognise the need for base revenues and have moved to a model of a 30 day trial version and two paid versions, the Personal and the Business. ZyWeb previously adopted the widely used Internet model of giving away a free product and making revenues from premium versions and advertising and had successfully signed up over 1 million users to the online web page builder. However, this model has proved to be the downfall of many a dotcom in the market as they fail to secure sufficient funds to survive in a non profit environment.

ZyWeb was one of the early adopters providing its ASP service through a reseller channel of partnerships in both the USA and UK, although users can also subscribe directly from www.zyweb.com. The offering to these partnerships is being extended with a range of options using a new 'Smart Branding' system that enables ZyWeb to be delivered in the partner's own corporate identity. These include the ZyWeb Portal and a ZyWeb Enterprise for the corporate who wishes to offer their own branded templates to their outlets.

"Our experience as an early ISP with a 70% business user base, gave us an excellent knowledge of the needs of the business and corporate markets", says Managing Director, Nova Fisher, "ZyWeb is an excellent product and we are keen to expand it further into a business channel. We shall be developing it to enable users to add more functionality and content into their website, all from within the page builder."

ZyWeb is a complete web publishing solution that enables anyone to create their own professional quality web pages in minutes. Unique to ZyWeb is its graphics technology that allows anyone to create personalised web graphics without the need for any design or technical skills. There is no download or installation of software and the web pages can be updated from any computer, anywhere in the world, giving the user total control of their own website. ZyWeb, recognised worldwide with over 1 million users, was awarded Best ISP Product 1999 and was a nominated finalist in 2001.

About Zynet Ltd

Zynet was founded by Nova Fisher and Merlyn Kline in 1994, as one of the earliest Internet Service Providers in the UK. The aim was to bring the Internet within easy reach of everyone in the South West of England. Achieving this goal quickly, Zynet rapidly expanded providing Internet services and solutions to both businesses and individuals throughout the area.

By 1997 Zynet had built up a customer base over 70% businesses, quite an achievement in the early days of Internet connectivity. To enable Zynet to focus on its core activities, the dial-up division was sold to Eurobell Plc, a cable company now owned by Telewest.

Zynet then developed its corporate and business services portfolio, specialising in corporate connections and the development of web design and development services, particularly in the areas of database integration, e-commerce, security and the programming of bespoke applications. The technical team also assisted in the development of the ZyWeb page builder.

About ZyWeb Ltd

ZyWeb is a fast growing, innovative Internet Company based in the UK with offices in Silicon Valley, California. It is an early adopter of entirely server-based solutions and has been created to enable novices and professionals alike to create and publish exciting websites. Websites created using the ZyWeb product are rich in optimised graphics, content and functionality without the user having any need for design, authoring or programming skills.

About ZyWeb

ZyWeb one of the most advanced graphical web based page builders in the world today. It is a customisable web page builder into which various consumer or business modules may be integrated. Users are able to create and manipulate web pages in real time over the Internet through their browser, thus giving them total control over their website at any time, from anywhere in the world. The ZyWeb page builder is a one-stop solution offering web page building, graphics, banner creation, photo editing, file storage and web hosting.

ZyWeb is template based but unlike most template systems, the user can configure many aspects of the appearance of the templates.

Contact

UK Office: Minerva House, Baring Crescent Exeter EX1 1TL Tel: +44(0) 1392 209500 Fax: +44(0) 1392 421762

US Office: Suite 2, 648 Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025 Tel: 650 323 3100 Fax: 650 322 1553