WKWG NEWS!!!
(PR NEWSWIRE) WelcomeTo Search Engine Announces Release
of Enhanced Versio
WelcomeTo Search Engine Announces Release of Enhanced
Version of the WelcomeTo
Regional Internet Business Directory
VANCOUVER, April 22 /CNW-PRN/ - WelcomeTo Search Engine,
Inc. (OTCBB:
WKWG), a leader in the development of integrated internet business
directories
and e-commerce solutions, announced that it has released an
upgraded version
of its regional business directory and search engine. This release
incorporates enhancements the company has been working on since
the initial
release of its beta version on April 1, 1999.
The enhanced version of the WelcomeTo regional business directory
incorporates the business categories used by Dun & Bradstreet
(NYSE: DNB), a
strategic partner who is providing WelcomeTo with listings for over 11
million
North American businesses. With this change, the advertising and
listing
services that are driven off these business categories will now be
displayed.
The upgrade also includes an advanced search function and
improved overall
performance for the WelcomeTo search engine.
''This version represents a significant step forward in our beta
program
and addresses a flaw in the mapping of businesses to categories that
unfortunately made it appear that there were only a small number of
listings
in the Vancouver directory rather than 140,000,'' stated Phil Dubois,
President & CEO of WelcomeTo. ''We will continue to refine the
categories
we're using for ease of use. These changes will be introduced
progressively
over the course of our beta period which ends in June.''
''In early May, we will introduce enhancements to the user interface to
make the search engine easier to use. This will incorporate feedback
we've
received from our beta users who have requested that the current
search
options be consolidated into one search screen.''
''We experienced some issues, as we expected we would, but the
positive
news is that the search engine itself has performed solidly. It has
operated
continuously for the entire period of the beta to date. We have tuned
and will
continue to tune performance but the stability of the search engine is
a great
accomplishment. It is the backbone of our system and the structure on
which
everything else we're doing is built.''
Asked about the issues encountered to date, Dubois commented,
''On the
first day, we had challenges keeping the site up over the first few
hours when
traffic was at its peak. Tuning the Internet server solved this problem.
We
experienced a hardware failure that took the site down for three hours
early
Monday morning, April 5, 1999. We have also received some very
constructive
suggestions regarding the user interface that we are now in the
process of
incorporating.''
''The purpose of the beta is to test and optimize performance and to
receive user feedback so we can further enhance our product. The
foundation
has met and exceeded expectations. At this point, some of the
components of
the product need work but nothing we have left to do is fundamental to
the
core of the search engine. These changes will be introduced
continuously
throughout the beta period, so that we're in a position to roll out the
strongest possible product at the end of June as promised.''
WelcomeTo will begin a North American launch at the beginning of
July
1999, rolling its regional business directory and search engine out to
progressively more cities in the US and Canada. WelcomeTo intends
to be the
preferred regional portal for consumers and small businesses, by
facilitating
local online commerce through its integrated suite of advertising
services and
e-commerce products.
''We are encouraged by the results of the beta in proving out the
robustness of our search engine. We have issues still to address but
by the
end of June we will have a very strong product. This gives us a great
deal of
confidence regarding our ability to execute our business plan and the
strategies that we are pursuing to move the company forward,''
Dubois
concluded.
The WelcomeTo regional business directory can be accessed at
www.welcometosearch.com.
About WelcomeTo
WelcomeTo Search Engine, Inc. is a rapidly growing developer of
regional
business directory services and e-commerce solutions that deliver
high value
to Web users and small businesses. WelcomeTo products allow
small businesses
to build and grow their Internet presence through promotional
activities
targeted at regional markets and by deploying e-commerce
storefronts or
catalogs. Founded in 1996, the company's headquarters and product
development
are based in Vancouver BC Canada.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Phil Dubois, President and CEO, WelcomeTo Search Engine, Inc.
For Information Contact:
Dunhill International Communications Corp. : ph:800-930-3242
Or E-mail: dunhill(at)ican.net
Visit our web site at: www.welcometosearch.com
'Safe Harbor' statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform
Act of 1995: This release contains forward looking statements that
are
subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the
impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and
market
acceptance, new product development, reliance on key strategic
alliances,
availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations
in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
SOURCE WelcomeTo Search Engine Inc.
-0- 4/22/99
/CONTACT: Dunhill International Communications Corp. : ph:
800-930-3242 Or
E-mail: dunhill(at)ican.net; Visit our web site at:
www.welcometosearch.com/
(WKWG)
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