Los Gatos-based Namezero, the domain registrar that made headlines last year for its free domain registration service, debuted a host of tools and services for small businesses today in line with the company's concentration on that market.

Namezero initially debuted its free service in April 2000, picking up over a million registrations in its first few months, but quickly added a paid service for clients looking for an ad-free site (See Namezero Gets Paid, previously published on SiliconValley.internet.com). President Bruce Keiser describes the new Small Business Resource Center, developed out of partnerships with several companies (Network Solutions, BusinessFinance and Bigstep, to name a few) as just another extension of Namezero's "Plus" service for businesses seeking more than just simple domain registration.

"Namezero recognized the acute need for resources to help small businesses establish themselves online, quickly easily, and affordably," says Keiser. "To address this need, we've joined forces with [several] companies to create a complete suite of resources for the growing market of 11 million small businesses in the United States."

Available as part of Namezero's domain name services package, the Center aims to equip business members with the necessary elements of an online storefront and eCommerce site, including Web hosting, business form templates, basic eCommerce packages, business cards, and a capital search engine providing free access to funding sources.

"Online resource providers such as Namezero are becoming powerful channels for small businesses," says Kneko Burney, Director of eBusiness for Cahners In-Stat Group. "Partnerships between various providers have enabled companies, such as Namezero, to offer a better mix of content, community and services for their audience."

And, adds Burney, the timing couldn't be better, as In-Stat estimates that Internet penetration in the small business market is currently near 80%.

"Combined with the growing capabilities of online resource providers, the revenues from these types of offerings is expected to grow from less than $200 million in 2000 to more than $1 billion by 2003," says Burney.

Namzero currently has more than 1.6 million registered members.

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