VIRGIN boss Richard Branson has launched a package to give small businesses an easy way of getting on to the Internet.

The service - www.virginbiz.net - hopes to double the amount of small businesses with a Web presence by the end of the year.

The UK has one of the lowest proportion of small businesses online. Just three per cent of companies with less than 20 employees have a Web site.

Mr Branson, who has a home in Kidlington, said: "I began my business from a public telephone back in 1972, and an awful lot has happened since then.

"If only the Internet had been around for me."

Businesses will be able to chose from a range of packages that will include Internet access, a web site designed for them, a merchant number to sell online editorial content and a support line to give them monthly progress checks.

Managing director of Virgin Biznet Mylene Curtis said: "The time and costs involved in setting up online are too high for many small businesses.

"But research has shown that the Internet will be as important to a business as a fax machine was, soon it will be essential."

Users of the service will have a Web site up and running within a week, with the most complete package costing a company about £1,300 for the first year.

Many companies have found it difficult to set themselves up on the Net, despite understanding its benefits. Initial costs to develop an e-commerce site are about £6,000.

Marketing director for Virgin Biznet Afam Edozie said: "Businesses will be able to come to as and get a completely functioning Web site within a week."

Story date: Monday 18 October

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