Oddcast announced that its small-business product, SitePal, has surpassed 5,000 customers, up from 500 in 2003. Over 10,000 eBay auctions utilize SitePal technology, and the majority of its customers, 73 percent, are in the United States, with the product gaining popularity throughout Europe and Asia. SitePal allows small business owners to create speaking animated characters (avatars) for any web site.

The SitePal online editor allows users to design a wide variety of avatar characters, which can be added to Web sites, flash movies, eBay auctions and blogs. Voice recordings can be uploaded from the users desktop, recorded by phone or created using text-to-speech technology. The company says the tool enriches the user experience, is cost-effective and is proven to increase sales and conversion rates

"SitePal's ability to capture attention and generate interest helps small-business owners turn browsers into buyers," said Adi Sideman, CEO of Oddcast "Avatars often compliment the information on a web page by delivering high-level product information and special promotions. This increases communication with the users, increases conversion and increases sales. Its all about ROI."

http://www.sitepal.com