liveBooks secures $5 million in funding, expands into new markets
liveBooks Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a provider of websites that allow creative professionals to promote and manage their businesses online, secured $5 million in funding from strategic and private investors. This allows the company to expand into new markets and create more flexible and affordable payment and design options for its customers.
With this funding, liveBooks has:
1) Lowered the cost of entry into the liveBooks suite and service
2) Introduced a subscription-based service to eliminate the need for front-loaded monetary commitments
3) Launched pre-designed site offerings with a wide variety of choices in terms of number, design and utility
4) Broadened its market reach with new, creative professional industries such as graphic design and interior design
The company says these changes enable any creative professional to access an affordable solution designed to differentiate their online offering, without the need for extensive technology knowledge. As the company explained to PMA Newsline, liveBooks’ previous service only involved custom-built sites
For customers who want the benefits of liveBooks’ design expertise and intuitive site administration in a more affordable package, the company is now offering an array of pre-designed themes and layout options with subscriptions for $39 per month, which covers hosting and upkeep. liveBooks is also extending this pricing flexibility to its customized design customers who want unique sites. Single customized sites will require a one-time design fee plus a subscription charge. Since its inception, liveBooks has created sites for more than 7,000 photographers and creative professionals.
“We’re extremely proud that our work has helped professional photographers grow their businesses over the past five years and we remain committed to delivering exceptional designs and customer service to the photographic community,” said Andy Patrick, CEO and president of liveBooks. “This financing allows us to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities in other creative markets where professionals’ business needs are similar to those of photographers.”
To reflect the expansion of its business model and offerings, liveBooks also re-launched its website.
