The Company

Marcia Blackstock decided she wanted to go into business in 2001 so she searched the internet to find a business partner; "I had always previously been a Mental Health Nurse, and I was looking on the internet for a business partner but had no luck so I decided to turn my problem into a business idea." By turning her disappointment into a business concept, Marcia went on to set up the world's first online business partnership service, in similar style to an online dating service. Find Your Ideal Business Partner (FYIBP) was born.

Being a Mental Health Nurse, Marcia was understandably worried about her lack of business skills, so she completed a business course at the Women's Business Development Agency. These skills were invaluable in helping her set up the business but she still needed help to set up and establish a new website, an integral part of her business! She approached a design company, who left her with a website with very little functionality.

The Goal

FYIBP was in desperate need of a website that would streamline their partner matching service and showcase their range of services. Marcia was told about the National Business to Business Centre by Women's Business Development Agency who recommended she speak to us with a view to planning and implementing a new website.

The new website should include all of their business partnerships, including joint ventures, franchises, business ideas, contacts and investment opportunities. FYIBP also wanted to introduce membership benefits for subscribers, ease of subscription payment, interaction with subscribers and a fully comprehensive website for all their subscribers needs.

In addition the business wanted to introduce an online business networking environment.

The Solution

Marcia met with Peter Butterworth (E-Business Architect) and Mark Bonnett (Open Source Technologist) from the National Business to Business Centre to set about planning and designing a new website.

FYIBP were first introduced to Peter Butterworth to help align the website content with the objectives of the business. Peter suggested features for the website including membership services, a search facility and an integrated e-commerce payment facility. Previously subscribers had to wait for their payment to be manually processed before using the service, but with the new system payments would be automatically processed, providing immediate access to the online database and services. The overall aim was to keep the site fresh and automate its service for a better customer experience.

Having completed the planning stage Mark Bonnett recommended the PostNuke content management system that Marcia could easily manage herself, giving her the freedom to control and build the site, as well as extending her skills set. She would in time be able to add new buttons, pages and links.

The NB2BC Architects tailored PostNuke to the business needs of FYIBP to include Classified ads, a search facility (by business category), and a user registration facility (for membership services). With Peter and Mark's help Marcia went on to include content about all business partnership services - from 'skills exchanges' to 'investment opportunities' - and a new forum where businesses could network; exchange ideas, make contacts, as well of course as meeting new business partners!

Mark Bonnett is continuing to work with FYIBP to set up an auction room for trading between partners.

The Results

1,000+ subscribers now exist on the database, improving the chances of businesses successfully finding new business partners.

FYIBP's founder Marcia has been more than happy with the new website remarking on its features; "Our user friendly database helps people from all walks of life to find a business partner anywhere in the world. Our members range from those at the business start-up stage, to experienced people who already own their own companies. Once they fill in the form on the website and pay to become members, their details are there for anyone to see. Members can add photos and graphics and can place up to 99999 adverts!!!!!"

Since its re-launch fyibp.com has attracted members not only from the UK but from the US, Europe and even Australia. The Coventry Evening Telegraph referred to the service as "revolutionary and innovative." Commenting on the success of the website Marcia proclaims: "We seem to be taking the business world by storm!"

Conclusions

Due to Findyouridealbusinesspartner.com's increased popularity, the company were able to organise some offline business partner networking events during 2004 and more offline events are being planned during 2005 and beyond.

As far as the future of the website is concerned Marcia met with the NB2BC's E-Marketing Architect Matt Charman for an e-marketing consultation, following which FYIBP purchased the Web Position Gold tool to optimise the website for search engines. The website has since seen its position rise to no. 1 in most 'find business partner' searches! As the FYIBP website goes from strength to strength we say watch this space...

The National Business to Business Centre

Is your company facing similar problems to FYIBP? Do you need your website to communicate better with your clients? We can help you to implement a content management system to gain more control of your website. The National B2B Centre offers an E-business Assessment service, assessing your company from a business and IT perspective, and providing you with an action plan. All of our advice is free, expert and impartial*, for more information visit www.nb2bc.co.uk or call us on 024 7657 4384.

* to qualifying companies

Key Links

www.nb2bc.co.uk - The National Business to Business Centre

www.findyouridealbusinesspartner.com - FYIBP