As part of the continued dedication to serving small business customers, AT&T Inc. announced the launch of a more robust version of the Onward Small Business Web site, which features new functionality and improved navigation for visitors both in the office and on the road. In addition, feedback from site visitors led AT&T to redesign site graphics and add a tutorial to help small businesses maximize available resources.

    Launched in February 2007, the Onward Small Business site recorded its 1 millionth unique visitor last fall, putting the site among the top online destinations for small businesses. The site already offers a variety of free advice and tools geared to small business owners. The AT&T Onward Small Business site complements AT&T's industry-leading portfolio of communications products and services for small businesses. This portfolio includes voice, broadband Internet, messaging, wireless and advertising and search-engine-marketing solutions through AT&T Real Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM.

    The site also features simpler and more consistent navigation, including optimizing to ensure compliance for viewing on smartphones and other mobile communications devices. A February 2008 report by Compass Intelligence ranks AT&T's retooled site as No. 1 among telecommunications providers for small businesses. Last year, Compass Intelligence ranked the Onward Small Business site as the best in the telecom industry and among the top four online sites overall for small businesses.

    "The AT&T site provides access to information for helping businesses be more productive, which is important because I'm not knowledgeable in all aspects of business," said Nelson Toro, IT manager for Associated Research, a small manufacturing firm in Lake Forest, Ill. "The new site also is easier to navigate, requiring fewer clicks to get to the information I need. And the new color scheme makes it easier to determine which information is most relevant and important for me."

    Internet tools like blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds can help your small business collaborate, communicate, and achieve more. Find out what’s involved and how you could benefit from Web 2.0 technologies. Other solutions include business e-mail services, Wi-Fi service, Web hosting, Unified Messaging, remote data storage, network security, data transport and other Internet Protocol-based services designed for the unique needs of small and midsize businesses.  

    "We've listened to our small business customers and, as a result, have enhanced site navigation and added new Web 2.0 functionality," Rotatori said. "The result is an online resource for small businesses that is unmatched among telecommunications providers. We're proud to offer the most comprehensive set of communications services available to small businesses, and, most important, we're committed to helping them move their business onward to greater success."

Web 2.0 enhancements:  
    - Rate, share and tag articles in the News and Insights section.
    - Recommend customer stories and case studies for inclusion on the site.
    - Grade Web-based courses offered through the site.
    - Suggest topics for new online courses.
    - Listen to site content - news, customer stories, expert advice, AT&T services, etc. - via text-to-speech technology.
    - Receive customized content from the site based on previous viewing habits.