The European hosting market is expected to grow significantly in the coming year to reach an estimated $6 billion in 2007 as more companies enter the market in increasing numbers, providing a wide range of services to European companies and businesses.

The market's huge potential is being encouraged by the European Union's commitment to provide internet access to the majority of EU citizens by 2010. At the moment, internet access is enjoyed by slightly more than 50 percent of the EU population, most of these are urban or suburban residents. The European Commission (the EU's executive branch) has committed itself to a multi-level approach covering telecoms policies, financial support for broadband companies, and other initiatives to promote widespread internet access.

Opportunities in the EU Market

The expanding opportunities in the EU market have led major ICT companies towards the EU, all aiming to grab a slice of the huge and enormously promising market Studies indicate, however, that Europeans remain relatively unsophisticated in the matter of e-commerce; most small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) which form the backbone of the European economy still see the internet as an adjunct or 'add on' to their brick-and-mortar establishments.

For many of these companies, 'e-commerce' means having a website to display products and services in; most have a seemingly 'passive' attitude towards internet marketing. They don't see the potential inherent in taking an aggressive stance in marketing their products and services to other countries.

The same holds true for the majority of ISPs in Europe - mostly small enterprises also, offering nothing more complicated than basic web hosting services. This is mainly due to the fact that they have neither the experience nor the capability to engage in more sophisticated services.

Opportunities exist, indeed, for small companies that have the knowledge and experience to efficiently navigate the wild waters of the internet and international e-commerce. However, more than a transfer of knowledge or technology is needed. The expansion in European web hosting combined with efforts to increase the European enterprises' awareness of the internet's value in commercial endeavors is required.

Needed: Web 'explorers' for the European Community

In a sense, the real opportunities in the European market is not necessarily in terms of hardware and systems development; more and better opportunities lie in the area of web hosting, internet marketing and e-commerce. It is not a matter of simply offering 'services', the key appears to be in helping European enterprises to successfully navigate the unfamiliar waters of internet commerce.

In effect, the European market needs companies and individuals who can guide their citizens in the best ways and means to make a reasonable profit through the internet. 'Best practices' in such areas as search engine optimization (SEO), website design that is both eye-catching and European in flavor, safe and efficient financial transactions, etc. are places where knowledgeable and experienced people can help.

On the other hand, 'explorers' planning to enter Europe's markets also need a guide to be able to maneuver the broad waters of Europe's 54 countries of differing cultures, attitudes and people.

Brontobytes is European web hosting company with the experience and knowledge to figuratively guide you, and advise you on the best way to establish a niche website.