Simple web page creator highlights businesses’ social networks

Companies offering personalized web page creation for small businesses and individuals are nothing new. However, the pages created by Central.ly stand out from the crowd. With an emphasis on simplicity, the site creates image-based web pages that focus on linking to pre-existing social media channels. Central.ly has been set up by Chris Bennett, Arrel Gray and Edward Robertshaw, who claim that the website can build a new web page in five minutes. The pages built so far are so simple in appearance, it is easy to believe. A gallery on the Central.ly website shows their completed web page builds, which feature one large background graphic, a short description of the page’s company, and links to that company’s email and SMS. The pages also feature prominent links to a company’s social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Yelp profiles, Linkedin profiles, and Foursquare. Designed for viewing on both computers and mobile devices, the simplicity of the web page creations means that companies can redirect to their reviews, maps, and social network updates through links — without having to duplicate that same content on the web page itself. Central.ly is currently in private alpha, but it is still possible to register and reserve a domain name on the site. Central.ly will then send out emails once registered sites are ready to be built. Central.ly also offers web page analytics, and is working in other areas such as SEO, new social media tools, and SEM to improve their pages. Small businesses still without a web site, is this one to sign up for early? (Related: Users choose ads for their social web pages — Custom buttons simplify the internet for low-tech users.)