Oddcast, Inc., a company that develops and distributes conversational character products, recently announced a distribution deal with web hosting firm, Hostway Corp.

Hostway will begin offering SitePal, a product that allows small business owners to create speaking animated characters for web pages. According to Hostway, the two companies see this deal as an opportunity to reach small businesses as they are preparing to set up their web presence and provide them with the tools they need to effectively market products and services on their sites.

"At any given time, Hostway's product team is testing multiple products that can enhance our Web hosting customers' online presence. SitePal is one of those innovative products that passed our extensive testing. Hostway is excited to bring this Web-site enhancing solution to our customers," said John Lee, VP of Marketing, Hostway.

"Online businesses are continually looking for ways to differentiate their image and more importantly increase customer conversion rates. SitePal helps to clarify key messages, and provides a unique differentiator, unlike any other Web site tool available. Talking characters also help to convert site browsers into product buyers, resulting in higher revenues and immediate ROI," continued Adi Sideman, CEO of Oddcast.