Web strategies for professional publishers: developing an information services portal

This paper examines how the free distribution of electronic information on the internet is rapidly changing the commercial environment for small to medium-sized print publishers, and suggests some recommendations for publishers in the process of establishing their own web strategies. It begins by addressing the concept of the 'network economy' and the way in which electronic networks have changed the fundamental economics of many businesses. It then suggests seven recommendations for learned and professional society publishers adapting their own business models to the web, highlighting the need to differentiate print from electronic products by building an electronic information services portal for current members and subscribers.