United Online Inc, which provides consumer products and services over the internet, posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by strong demand at its FTD segment.

United Online said it expects fourth-quarter revenue of $235 million to $243 million. Analysts on average were looking for revenue of $239.3 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

For the third quarter, the company earned $14.9 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with $15.2 million, or 20 cents a share, a year ago.

Excluding special items, it earned 33 cents a share, above analysts' average estimates of 30 cents a share.

Revenue rose 28 percent to $216.2 million and beat analysts' estimates of $215.6 million.

Revenue from the FTD segment was $107.5 million, up from $48.3 million in the prior year.

FTD, which provides floral and related products and services to consumers and retail florists, was bought by United Online in August 2008.

Shares of the Woodland Hills, California-based United Online were up 3 percent at $8.00 in trading after the bell. They closed at $7.79 Wednesday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed in Bangalore; Editing by Unnikrishnan Nair)