An Eastwood internet designer with his own world wide web of ambition has completed his first major international contract.

Thrilled - Scott Whitehead looks at the Antonio-Bizhere.com website he has won a contract with Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Scott Whitehead, 27, who set up Zest City to sell web designs around the globe, has scored a success by designing a site for an Indian company.

The web hosting company Antonio Ciarfeo, based in Maharashtra, north east India, selected Zest City out of thousands of companies offering similar services.

Scott said: "It demonstrates just what is possible for a south Essex business. The Indian IT industry is very dynamic and very cost-effective and would normally look to its own resources for a contract like this."

Scott puts his success in the deal down to promotional as well as design skill.

He said: "It's about showing how the site can be used to the fullest advantage to maximise business.

"You've got to demonstrate that an attractive-looking site, just by itself, is not enough. It's got to do a strong and instant promotion job for the firm.

"The fact that Zest City can sell its own services so effectively on the net is proof that it can do the same thing for a client."

Zest City already boasts a portfolio of web designs for east of England firms, including Goldwyn's accountants in Southend, Snipitz hairdressers in Eastwood and the trendy restaurant Clios, in Stowmarket, frequented by Delia Smith. Scott said: "It's a good start, but ultimately I want to do business around the world.

"There's no reason why local website designers shouldn't regard the whole planet as their marketplace."

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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