A new Web hosting company is offering small and medium-sized enterprises a service which will get an electronic storefront up and running, and ready to receive secure credit card payments within hours of booking. IE Internet says it will provide smaller businesses with a more cost-effective online service than that on offer by current Internet service providers.

The full e-commerce suite includes a secure server, secure e-mail and shopping cart software for less than £400 (€508). As part of its introductory offer, IE Internet is offering a discount of £120 to companies that purchase its hosting and e-commerce solution online through the secure order form on the IE Internet website (www.ieinternet.com/secureorder.htm).

According to Mr Phelim O'Connell, executive director of IE Internet: "We are trying to encourage more businesses to go online not simply to create a website, but to develop and sell their products and services over the Internet. There's no secret to this business - it's there on the website - all you need to know about setting up shop online."