Go2Net Inc., a network of branded
technology- and community-driven Web sites signed a licensing agreement with
Intershop Communications Inc., a
supplier of electronic commerce hosting solutions.
Intershop will provide easy-to-use, browser-based interfaces for setting up
online storefronts to members of Go2Net’s HyperMart and Virtual Avenue business hosting services.
HyperMart and Virtual Avenue together claim more than 375,000 small and
medium-sized businesses as members, growing at the combined rate of more than
1,000 new member businesses per day.
Using Intershop’s ePages and Intershop3 e-commerce solutions, Go2Net said it
will provide its HyperMart and Virtual Avenue business members with a series of
cost-effective options to build e-commerce capabilities for their
respective businesses. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.
The Intershop software makes store acquisition, set-up and design possible
for any business with access to a Web browser. Intershop’s customizable
options enable businesses to start out at very basic levels and add more
sophisticated features and functionalities as their businesses grow online.
“Adding Intershop’s e-commerce technologies to the services currently offered
through HyperMart and Virtual Avenue, Authorize.Net’s transaction processing
services and the Haggle Online auction services creates a leading end-to-end
commerce solution for small and medium sized businesses,” said Russell C.
Horowitz, CEO of Go2Net.
Go2Net last week acquired Authorize.Net, a payment
authorization system for online businesses that has relationships with more
than 34,000 online merchants.
Go2Net also recently acquired the Haggle Online auction service, which will be
extended to HyperMart and Virtual Avenue members. Go2Net said it plans to
integrate the Authorize.Net and Intershop offerings into the HyperMart and
Virtual Avenue sites within three months.
Go2Net and Vulcan Ventures Inc. yesterday announced a $20 million cash
investment in CommTouch Software Ltd., a deal that will make free e-mail
services available to HyperMart and Virtual Avenue business members.
Since Go2Net’s acquisition of HyperMart in August 1998, the service has grown
from approximately 60,000 member businesses to more than 235,000. Go2Net
acquired Virtual Avenue in April 1999, and the site has since expanded from
85,000 member businesses to more than 140,000.