14 DAY TRIAL // Subscriptions cards for Microsoft Office Live services are now available for purchase via Best Buy, the Redmond Company announced. Via Office Live, Microsoft is offering small businesses the chance to establish a web presence. Office Live is a viable alternative to building a website from the ground up. And as incentive to convince small businesses to get on board, Microsoft is also offering three months for the price of one.
"Establishing and marketing your business online is no longer considered a luxury - it's a must as consumers increasingly turn to the Web to research products and services," said Brett McCommons, district business sales manager for Best Buy For Business. "Most consumers spend nearly 14 hours a week online - the same amount of time they spend watching TV. By combining the simplicity and reliability of Microsoft Office Live with the expertise available through Best Buy For Business, we've made it easy for small-business owners to create, maintain and market their Web sites."
Microsoft is targeting businesses located in the United States with fewer than 10 employees. According to a study commissioned by Microsoft to IDC in 2006, only 4.2 million out of a total of 6.8 million businesses had a website. Small businesses can opt between the three versions of Office Live: Basics (free), Essentials ($19.95/month) and $39.95/month.
Office Live has been taken out of Beta in November 2006, and since then 250,000 small businesses have accessed its services.