Registerdirect In Top Ten Within Weeks Of Launch

Media Release
9 July 2001

Registerdirect In Top Ten Within Weeks Of Online Launch

Web hosting company Net24 predicts its RegisterDirect division will become third largest domain registrar in New Zealand after Xtra and FreeParking. Entering the market at ninth position, the directors are confident RegisterDirect will reach target.

In April, after six months development, Christchurch company Net24 launched its feature-rich domain registry system online called RegisterDirect. Within a month the system stormed the domain registration market, entering 9th position out of 120 certified registers in New Zealand.

RegisterDirect is a user-friendly automated on-line system that provides an easy three-step domain name registration and billing process. It allows website owners and developers to register domain names without having to involve their ISP and the national authority Domainz. Once the name is registered, users can take advantage of a number of free services:

* Free Domain parking
* Free URL redirection
* Free POP3 / IMAP email accounts
* Free mail forwarding
* Free Web / WAP mail interface
* Free advanced management features

According to directors Mike and Nik Schupbach, RegisterDirect is the most advanced system of its kind in New Zealand. “While automated domain registry systems are not unique, RegisterDirect differs in that it offers customers free value-added services and powerful management features. We also provide experienced Internet knowledge and quality support,” said Mike Schupbach.

Net24 attributes RegisterDirect’s successful entry into the market to its efficient processing, free services and advanced functionality. Users don’t need to change their existing email address or website location as the system offers free mail forwarding and URL redirection services.

To ensure the best possible service Net24 changed its provider to GlobalGateway. The direct Southern Cross cable connection provides optimum bandwidth, superior network stability and speed. “It allows us to have total control over our network and, at the same time, deliver our clients’ websites to visitors at optimum speeds,” explained Mike. Only a handful of companies in New Zealand are using this direct connection.

RegisterDirect has averaged 10 registered names per day since launching online on 4 April this year. To achieve the number three market position RegisterDirect needs to double its current achievement to 400 registrations per month.

The cost for a .nz domain name with RegisterDirect is $74 + GST for the first year then $44 + GST per year then after. There are no set-up fees or monthly domain charges.

Net24’s domain registration and web hosting solutions are ideal for web professionals wanting to offer value-added services to their website customers. With Net24 they can provide a complete website solution with design, domain search and registration, web hosting and web management all in one seamless package. Billing is easy to set up and can be direct to the customer or to the web professional.

“We’re pleased with the results so far, as we’re on target to reach our goal - to become the third largest name registrar in New Zealand after Telecom Xtra and FreeParking.”

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Host Direct

The company also offers a web-hosting package for website owners and web professionals called Host Direct. For just $99 + GST per year users can have 10MB disk space, unlimited data traffic, 10 POP3 mail accounts, BSD Unix hosting and full website statistics. They could also take advantage of the free features offered by RegisterDirect.

Host Direct is ideal for reselling. Web professionals can offer their clients a total website package that includes design, domain name search and registration, web hosting and billings all in one.

Stan Gregec, Director of e-DRIVE Internet marketing is one of RegisterDirect’s first customers. He says, “As someone who registers domain names every day and helps clients to manage and market their websites, the total service package offered by RegisterDirect is second to none. Nowhere else in New Zealand can you get such amazing value for domain names and hosting, especially when you consider all the add-ons and flexibility that come with it.”

“My clients and I need a reliable, robust hosting solution, with quality reporting and easy-to-administer access and control. The Host Direct product is perfect for simple, uncomplicated sites and comes with an amazing 10MB of storage space - all at an unbeatable price. It is a breeze to administer and control. I know because I have just transferred my own site."

About Net24

Net24 is an accredited .nz provider and corporate web hosting company that was founded in 1999 by directors Mike and Nikolai Schupbach. The company offers high-end Web hosting on Unix and NT/2000 servers, supporting such services as SQL, PHP and ASP. Net24 recently moved to new premises in Amuri Park, Christchurch. Visit Net24 at www.net24.co.nz

A new division, RegisterDirect, was launched online in April 2001 to provide a simple three-step domain registration service for small businesses. RegisterDirect also offers a cost effective web hosting solution called Host Direct. Aimed at website designers and marketers to reseller to their customers, the service provides a one-stop-shop website service that includes domain name search and registration, web-hosting and billing. For information about RegisterDirect visit www.registerdirect.co.nz

Key benefits of all Net24 products include increased speed, flexibility, free services and competitive costs. Dot com domain registration will be added to the system next month, as will .biz and .info when they are released this year.

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For further information or assistance please contact:

Net24 LTd

Mike Schupbach, Director
Tel: 03 377 6535
Email: mike@net24.co.nz

Nikolai Schupbach, Director
Tel: 03 377 6535
Email: nick@net24.co.nz

Communicate IT Ltd

Shelley Grell, PR Director
Tel: 03 314 4676 or 025 260 2635
Email: shelley@communicateit.co.nz

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