FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Network Commerce Increases Cash Position and Lowers Expenses With Sale of
                        Registrars.com to VeriSign, Inc.

       Network Commerce cash position now at $9 million or $1.67 per share


     SEATTLE--June 18, 2001--Network  Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq:  NWKC,  temporarily
NWKCD -  news),  the  technology  infrastructure  and  services  company,  today
announced the sale of certain assets of Internet Domain  Registrars  Corp. d/b/a
Registars.com to VeriSign, Inc., the leading provider of domain registration and
security services.

     Under the terms of the  transaction,  VeriSign,  Inc. agrees to pay Network
Commerce all cash for  Registrars.com.  As of June 18, 2001,  the Company's cash
position was approximately $9.0 million or approximately $1.67 per share.

     Dwayne Walker,  Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of Network  Commerce,
said, "With the sale of Registrars.com,  we continue to restructure our business
into  a  strategically  integrated  group  of  high-growth,  high-margin  online
business services built and operated on our proprietary technology platform."

     Walker  continued,  "Furthermore,  the sale of this  division  allows us to
lower  our  expenses  considerably,   while  improving  our  cash  position  and
strengthening  our bottom line. We are now in a more solid  position to focus on
growing our high-margin core online business services offerings."

     With the sale of certain assets of Registrars.com, Network Commerce remains
a provider of online  business  services  and will  continue  to provide  domain
registration  services on a resale  basis from  VeriSign in addition to offering
additional products for Network Commerce customers.

     Walker concluded,  "Despite the sale of Registrars.com to VeriSign, Network
Commerce will continue to provide the Hosting  Services,  Commerce  Services and
Online Marketing Services in addition to the Domain Registration  Services.  All
of these online business services are currently  offered via Network  Commerce's
eHost.com site."



About Network Commerce Inc.

     Established  in 1994,  Network  Commerce  Inc.  (Nasdaq:NWKC),  temporarily
(Nasdaq:NWKCD) is the technology  infrastructure  and services company.  Network
Commerce provides a comprehensive technology and business services platform that
includes domain registration,  hosting, commerce, and online marketing services.
Network Commerce is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Forward Looking Statements:

     Certain  statements  in  this  announcement  may  contain  "forward-looking
statements"  within  the  meaning  of the  Securities  Act of 1933  as  amended.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management
at the time  the  statements  are made and are  subject  to  certain  risks  and
uncertainties  that could cause actual results to differ  materially  from those
anticipated in the forward-looking  statements.  The words "believe,"  "expect,"
"intend,"  "anticipate,"  variations  of  such  words  and  similar  expressions
identify  forward-looking  statements,  but their absence does not mean that the
statement is not forward-looking.  These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that
are difficult to predict.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue  reliance on
these  forward-looking  statements  that are  true  only as of the date of their
announcement.  Network Commerce Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly
any   forward-looking   statements  to  reflect  new   information,   events  or
circumstances  after the date of this  release or to reflect the  occurrence  of
unanticipated  events.  Factors  that could  affect  Network  Commerce's  actual
results  include,  among  others,  the factors  described in Network  Commerce's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  including the Risk Factors
and other  disclosure  contained in its Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended  December 31, 2000,  filed with the SEC.  Network  Commerce  undertakes no
obligation  to update  publicly any  forward-looking  statements  to reflect new
information,  events  or  circumstances  after  the date of this  release  or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.



Press Contact:
Anne-Marie Savage, Network Commerce Inc.,
(206) 223-1996, annemaries@networkcommerce.com

Investor Relations Contacts:
Lynn Thomas, Network Commerce Inc.,
(206) 223-1996, ir@networkcommerce.com

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