Gay news and lifestyle site Q.co.za is leaving online architects marvelling at its potential, now extending far beyond advertising.

Even more surprising is that Q became popular without any marketing to speak of. But the really amazing thing is that M-Web, once the 25 percent owner of this four and a half year old venture, eschewed all this when it recently sold Q`s loyal, affluent and teeming user base to a private consortium. The site, which started life as an e-zine, now attracts between 60 000 and 100 000 unique visitors per month, say the owners.

M-Web`s reason? Focus. Along with co-owner Mail & Guardian, which is in the process of turning itself around under Zimbabwean newspaperman Trevor Ncube, M-Web Studios is not in the business of website management, says GM Russel Yeo. “Right now, and going forward, M-Web will concentrate on online service provision, business solutions (Internet-related development for companies), B2B procurement and financial services.”