You are here: silicon.com > Networks > WebWatch

5 years ago: Encyclopaedia Britannica is free

But not anymore...

Tags: encyclopaedia britannica

By silicon.com

Published: 20 October 2004 12:25 GMT

20.10.99: The Encyclopaedia Britannica says it will offer its content for free online.

Revenue will come from ecommerce, sponsorship and advertising. Certain information will be linked to places readers can buy related products.

The company once charged as much as £1,000 for a hard-backed set of its encylopedias but is taking the new approach due to dwindling sales of both its books and CD-ROMs.

The US version is live today while the UK version launches in January 2000.

20.10.04: Times have changed - and so has Encyclopedia Britannica's online offerings.

After trying out the free approach, the company now charges for access to its content online - £39.99 for a year, £4.99 a month and £2.99 a week on the UK site.

For this, you get rid of the ads that for a time plagued the site.

The company still uses ecommerce via an online shop where you can buy its informational DVDs and CDs as well as its print products. But it's opted for an ad-free environment that most customers prefer.

Add comment

Print story with

Email story

Brit surfers prefer Brit sites - Official

Berners-Lee and innovators walk away with CNET UK Awards gongs

UK online ad market on track to beat radio

Are you addicted to the internet?

UK must be safest place online, says government

In silicon.com

Read and write about internet access at the airports of the world at atlarge.com. Rate airports, and see what others have to say...

Commentary

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: United breaks guitars? Customer service has changed forever

Latest News

How will you use Google Wave? Recruiting, decision-making, dealing with complaints

Monitoring staff email and internet: The dos and don'ts

Tax-refund phishing scams hit an all-time high

Google unleashes biggest ever Apps rollout for 35,000 users

How a tech 'watch list' can save CIOs from being caught out

Jobs

Creative Web Designer / Graphic Designer CSS, Adobe, Macromedia

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, you will:- Create sales and marketing collateral in print and online formats - Create advertising materials ...

Contract Flash Web Designer - 3 months

You will have experience creating flash banner ads, with intermediate action scripting as well as Photoshop. Ideally you will have some print ...

Digital Recruitment Consultant - Reading

Once settled the consultant will receive unrivalled support to grow their own team based on sound expansion strategy linked to both personal and team ...

Special Report Focus

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.