FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Use HiredGuns to improve business performance and reduce costs

Wellington, New Zealand, 21 February 2011 –

A new Internet service for small-to-medium sized New Zealand businesses will help business owners find the experts and skilled professionals they need to stay ahead of their competition.

HiredGuns (www.hiredguns.co.nz) is the first site of its kind in New Zealand. It has been developed by Wellington-based web specialists Web Industries.

“HiredGuns is designed to make connecting with the Kiwis you want to do business with easier. Kiwi businesses can outline the details of a technical, business, or creative service they need completing, and then sit back while local ‘HiredGuns’ submit proposals and credentials outlining why they are the best choice for the job. There’s a ratings and reviews section so you can check out previous client’s experiences too,” says HiredGuns founder Aaron Magon.

“Where’s the benefit for businesses? You save time and you have more information. Imagine you need a new website for your business. Instead of relying on the Yellow Pages or Google to contact a number of companies to enquire about their services and prices – a list of companies you might base on the size of the ad is or how good their marketing material is – HiredGuns does the work for you.”

The idea for HiredGuns came to Web Industries partners Aaron Magon and Steve Flowers based on a simple understanding of their own needs as business owners.

“We thought, wouldn’t it be great if we could see a list of all the businesses in New Zealand who want a website built! At the same time, we also were interested in finding reliable local professionals,” says Steve Flowers.

“Global freelancing and procurement systems already exist, but HiredGuns is not about driving prices down by using cheap overseas labour. We are giving Kiwi businesses instant and easy access to a pool of New Zealand’s best technical, business and creative talent.

“Being able to pick up the phone and talk to another New Zealander is important to the majority of business owners. By working with local companies you know everyone is working within the same legal framework, and so you have greater security. We’ve been outsourcing overseas for years and very often the hassles outweigh any cost savings.”

Web Industries’ vision is clear.

“We just want to be making cool web stuff for small to medium sized Kiwi businesses,” says Aaron.

“HiredGuns is the first step in building great systems that make it easier to find the best people in New Zealand to do business with. It’s through the community that we are building that we will identify the tools businesses will find most useful in the future.”

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Background to how HiredGuns works

On HiredGuns.co.nz you create a ‘Job’ where you describe the job you need to outsource and the budget you can allocate. The job categories include: Websites and eCommerce, Mobile Devices, Networking and Communication Systems, Graphic Design and Multimedia, Marketing and Communications, Admin Support, Business Consulting – and more!

The Job is displayed on the website and registered freelancers and service providers are sent an email to let them know about the opportunity. They can then submit a ‘Bid’ detailing why their proposal is the most appropriate, and the skills and experience they bring to the table. You can check their past work history, and the ratings and reviews they have received from previous clients.

HiredGuns is far more than a simple job-listing site. It incorporates a set of online communication tools to make sure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to a high level of quality.

For freelancers and service providers, HiredGuns is a level playing field and a low-cost, measurable way of generating new business and increasing revenue – so it’s a win-win all around!

HiredGuns works on a credit system, where you buy HiredGuns Credits, which you then use to access functionality when you need it, rather than paying a monthly subscription fee. Creating a Job is free, and other fees range from $5 through to $10, so the costs are not prohibitive for businesses of any size. This means there is no risk in signing up for a free account and getting started.

Plus, as an introductory offer, HiredGuns is giving away $10 free credits to everyone who joins before May 2011, allowing you to create a Job or place Bids entirely free of charge to see how it will work for your business.

ends

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