Free Information

This section of our site provides useful infomation that can help your business. You can find out what is expected to take place during a typical visit by an e-tameside advisor. If there are any other topics that you would like to see covered in this section please send us a message or complete the enquiry form.

• Free Business Website Information Online
• Manchester Women's Electronic Village Hall
• Marketing Your Website
• Business Guide and Directory Scams
• Data Collection Agency Scam
• Domain Name Scam

Free Business Website Information Online

The e-tameside Business Team have developed a free online resource of information about websites and the Internet, aimed at businesses that are interested in or already have a web presence. The website contains information on subjects such as domain names, website content, search engines, payment facilities, security issues and broadband.

If you would like to access this free information (exclusively for Tameside Businesses) all you have to do is send us a message with your Company Name and Your Full Name and we will get in touch to arrange a meeting to take registration further.

Manchester Women's Electronic Village Hall

The Manchester Women's Electronic Village Hall (Women's EVH) is a unique Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Traning and Resource Centre run by women for women. To find out more visit www.wevh.org.uk

Marketing Your Website

Is your website lost on the World Wide Web?

The Internet is home to millions of websites that offer information, provide entertainment or sell a product or service. Competition is fierce so it is important that your website stands out.

Follow the link for more information on marketing your website

Business Guide and Directory Scams

The scams use the method of sending out trick "contracts" disguised as requests for information or claiming to offer entry into a so called free directory. The "legal" agreement and price are hidden away and printed very small and in hard to read capitals.

Once a contract is returned the organisers wait a few weeks before sending the first letter making it clear they are expecting money. From that point on all requests for cancellation are refused.

If any business is contacted by the European Guide and Internet Directory they should report it to the Office of Fair Trading tel: 08457 22 44 99 or email: enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Data Collection Agency Scam - a Warning to Tameside Businesses

Beware of companies contacting you on behalf of the Data Protection Agency or Information Commission, offering to register you with the Commision but charging between £80 and £120.

Your company can register directly with the Information Commision for £35 (no VAT charged) and you only have to register once a year. Companies must register if they carry databases of their customer's personal information, this can also include CCTV footage, but however many databases you hold - you only have to register your company once.

You can find more information at www.ico.gov.uk.

Domain Name Scam - a Warning to Tameside Businesses

Businesses all over Tameside are being targeted by organisations trying to sell them a domain name. Sounds harmless enough except these organisations are using the fear factor to get businesses to cough up as much as £800 needlessly.

The caller will typically explain that another buyer has tried to register (buy) your business domain name using a variety of endings e.g. www.businessname.co.uk, www.businessname.com, www.businessname.info. The caller will explain that they have found that the business name is registered to you so they are giving you the opportunity to buy it first. They will tell you that the other business might use your name to sell porn or in other illegal activities and you should register them instead to protect your business and customers.

Two companies known to be operating in Tameside are Anet and Domain Registration Service (DRS Ltd) also known as the Domain Verification Bureau. Both are currently under investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (www.oft.gov.uk ). The UK registry for domain names, Nominet (www.nominet.org.uk ) is also aware of their activities.

The e-tameside Business Team urge businesses not to give these callers any information and certainly not to purchase a domain name from them. It is highly unlikely that another business is trying to register your domain name. Furthermore, the price you are asked to pay is extremely high. The team have received several calls from businesses worried that they are under threat and ask that if you do receive a call of this nature and are unsure what to do you should ring 0161 342 2515 or send us a message for advice.

You can also help put a stop to this activity by reporting the call to the Office of Fair Trading (Public Liaison Unit) on: 08457 22 44 99 or email enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk.