WRAL Tech Wire

 Your business not online? Google, Intuit offer free website, hosting

Research by Google shows that 69 percent of small businesses in North Carolina do not have a website. The search giant and Intuit are offering support and more to get Carolina businesses involved in e-commerce.

Google's website offer

 Tech briefs: New Clinipace exec; Pfizer picks Biologics; Bronto marketing whitepaper; new Telit deal; ChannelAdvisor client win; Mariner training

 ChannelAdvisor ecommerce webinar; Precision BioSciences patents; Sales Performance to China; Argos drug update

Local tech briefs: ChannelAdvisor to host ecommerce webinar; Precision secures two more patents; Charlotte-based SPI expands to China; Argos touts drug progress.

 Will RTP-based ChannelAdvisor go public? They're thinking

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Scot Wingo says action on Wall Street such as Facebook's IPO plans give his ecommerce services firm fodder for thought. But for now the mission remains driving growth.

Business booms for Scot Wingo

 In filing to go public, Facebook reveals its profitable secrets

The social media giant is very profitable and getting stronger. The company Mark Zuckerberg started with some friends in 2004 has seen its annual revenue soar from $777 million in 2009 to $3.7 billion last year. Facebook's earnings have grown at a similar rate too, ballooning from $122 million in 2009 to $668 million last year. Facebook ended 2011 with $3.9 billion in cash.

Facebook's Building 1 in Western NC

 ChannelAdvisor coins 'New Commerce' to capture changing online market

The Morrisville-based provider of various ecommerce services to some of the world's major retailers develops the new term that serves as the theme for its annual industry conference. Its Catalyst eventis also being moved to Las Vegas.

ChannelAdvisor's new look

 Facebook vs. Google IPO: Which deal ranks better?

Google, says Scot Wingo, the founder and chief executive officer of ecommerce services provider ChannelAdvisor who likes to play in the market.

Wall Street

 Tech firms design system to confront email 'phishing' scams

15 major technology and financial companies have formed an organization to design a system for authenticating emails from legitimate senders and weeding out fakes. The new system is called DMARC -- short for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance.

How DMARC works

 City of Raleigh picks SciQuest for online procurement

The Cary-based company is a global provider of software and services for buying of goods and management solutions.

 SAS putting best feet forward at retail's 'Big Show'

The Cary-based business intelligence software firm announces new retail customer deals, including one with shoe giant DSW, and expands the capabilities of its high-performance computing offerings to better sift consumer, store data.

Tracking shoe size inventory with SAS software

 Kindle's hot Fire driving up tablet sales - and marketing opportunities

"The tablet is a mobile device, but it's also a TV in your hand that has content," Sheila Buckley, senior vice president of digital ad sales at The Weather Channel, told eMarketer. "Right now, the tablet just needs to achieve scale. I think the Amazon Kindle Fire, with a $199 price tag, will be a big game changer."

 1. Open Christmas gifts. 2. Resume online shopping

A growing number of shoppers apparently need only the briefest of breaks before diving back in, especially if they can log in to shop.

 Online buying binge continues, ChannelAdvisor reports

As Christmas nears, people are counting to buy gifts online at substantially higher numbers than a year ago, the ecommerce services provider says.

 Whirlwind VC courtship marries WeddingWire, Southern Capitol

Inside a venture deal, Part Two: The Maryland-based website linking couples and wedding services chose Raleigh-based Southern Capitol as its first outside investor after years of friendship and a fast engagement.

 Bells ring for WeddingWire, Southern Capitol: Inside a VC deal

Will the Maryland startup and the Raleigh venture capital firm build a successful marriage? After a courtship of five years and "building a deep relationship," the two firms take the plunge.

WeddingWire

 LivingSocial closes on $176M, wants $400M total in private offering

The site makes money by offering deals from local and some national businesses to its customers. These range from spa treatments and pedicures to restaurant meals and weekend getaways. Once the deals are purchased, the company takes a cut before paying the merchant.

 'XXX' domain stampede - 50,000 names taken in first few hours

ICM Registry, a Florida-based company, began selling domain names with the ".xxx" domain and a rush of buyers ensued. Another 100,000 names had been reserved in advance of the official launch.

The XXX domain launched in 2011

 Wedding site lands investment from Raleigh VC firm Southern Capitol

Maryland-based WeddingWire is an online wedding planning resource site that helps link couples and wedding service providers.

WeddingWire

 California CRM firm opens office in Durham, is hiring

SugarCRM, a fast-growing customer relationship management company, is opening a new office in Durham and is looking to hire additional sales and engineering staff. SugarCRM touts itself as the "world's fastest growing customer relationship management company."

A screenshot of SugarCRM's mobile browser

 Cyber frenzy: Online sales reach record $6B in five days

Research firm comScore says shoppers spent nearly $6 billion online on Monday through Friday last week, a record.