Freeserve and Barclays in SME tie-up

Freeserve, the UK's largest internet service provider, has joined forces with Barclays to launch a website aimed at the UK's three million small businesses.

The portal, called clearlybusiness.com, aims to give small business owners free access to online information and the cost and efficiency benefits normally reserved for larger companies.

It will also direct small businesses to services that "free up owner/managers from the day-to-day bureaucracy involved in running a business" including legal services, buying and selling online, and facilities for chasing bad debts.

Clearlybusiness believes there is a real need for such services in the UK, as only 50 per cent of small businesses survive their first three years of trading.

The principal problems faced by such companies include dealing with red tape, managing people and having a lack of time to improve turnover and manage cash flow properly.

Clearlybusiness' managing director Stephen Shelley, said: "When people start their own business they do so because they want to be their own boss, bring an idea to life or make more money. They are often prevented from fulfilling their dreams by the time and energy required to overcome the day-to-day obstacles associated with running their business."

He said clearlybusiness will help remove these constraints "freeing owners and managers from hassles such as tax, finance and legislation so that they can get on with the task of running and building their business".

Services initially available on the website include over 120 expert guides covering subjects from sales and marketing to employment issues, tax and law.

There is also a step-by-step guide on how to register a company and start a new business, and market research for backing up a business plan.