(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Recognizing its most innovative small business customers, web hosting services provider Dotster (www.dotster.com) has announced the top 20 finalists in its “Next BIG Small Business” contest, representing a variety of industries including retailers, service providers, media companies, manufacturers, non-profits, and professional networking and marketplace sites.
According to Dotster’s announcement, winners of the Next BIG Small Business Contest will be announced on August 12, based on video entries submitted over the next two weeks in which customers will detail their business and how they have benefited from taking their business online in two-minute video clips uploaded to online video site Vimeo (www.vimeo.com). Finalists will compete for cash prizes and increased visibility.
“This contest represents a great way to share the drive and innovation of our small business customers,” Dotster chief executive officer Clint Page said in a statement. “Aided by their online presence, many of our customers are experiencing exceptional growth, and we’re extremely happy to recognize their achievements.”
Contest finalists are: Apositiva Institute, Artistry of Poland, Bike Tires Direct, Dirty Rotten Flowers, Great Atlantic Media Group, Headstand Media, Homegunsafety.com, IdeaSIP, IndieProducer.net, J&T Tile and Renovations, LikeTheDew, Operation Bling Foundation, PhotographersQuote, StarCity.com, Studio Mae, Terrance L. Maloney Woodworking, The Ad Diner, The Voice of Success, United Bio Lube, and Willworks.
Aside from its latest contest, Dotster has also been in the news as one of several hosting providers that suffered significant outages earlier this month due to a fire at Seattle’s Fisher Plaza facility, where Dotster houses 500 servers. This incident caused more than a day’s outage and reminded Dotster of the importance of having a solid line of communication with customers, with the company endeavoring to increase its social media effort.
