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How Will Ning's Move, To Phase Out Free Networks, Effect You?

I think it would be interesting to hear, how will Ning's decision to "phase out free networks", effect you?

Please be respectful of our readers, and each other. But, do feel free to tell your story.

Maybe some of the stories will bring Network Creators together, and some partnerships can be formed.

Or maybe someone has a way to help a fellow Creator, even if just a small gesture.

Sincerely,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on April 18, 2010 at 10:53am

I'm curious about the videos you've posted. When I have time, will definitely watch them.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
:-)
Best,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by 2oedjmhn4ub20 on April 18, 2010 at 9:36am

would you believe that ning wont let me put the petetion up as a widget? grrrrrrrrr.i have tried wackwall,spruz,webs.com and grouply. i am very frustrated.

path is moved over to spurz for now, but its my understanding we can't use html codes any more? grrrrr. i really enjoyed ning this is a huge pain.

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Permalink Reply by Spirit Mythos Ascension Hologram on April 18, 2010 at 10:07am

I have 3 Ning sites, all free...and I will have to give them up. I cannot afford to pay for them as they don't make me any money.

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Permalink Reply by Expansion Technology on April 18, 2010 at 10:07am

Once business is tainted with greed and the person running behind the business is greedy you would expect this type of situation.!!!!! Greed and unfair practices are the major causes of business downfall.
This NING would be having the same fate as ill-fated Internet pioneer Netscape Communications,
Guess who was the CEO of the ill-fated Internet pioneer Netscape Communications???
The same person who is running NING right now!!!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Marlene Marion on April 18, 2010 at 10:15am

Hello Dear Sister,
This is just my thoughts and some ideas concerning ning closing free sites down.

I am feeling the strong vibration of hurt and betrayal coming from many members and mostly site owners as I belong to 75 sites you can guess my mailbox is full with this problem.

Maybe we should try an event to help calm the waters? Some suggestions would be a plea to the big premium nings to use their influence to stop this change.

Everyone is resistant to change ;-)

Another suggestion would be to do a petition letter, getting site owners to sign and send it to ning. However I do not see that working unless a lot of those signers are owners of premium sites and they get worried that these owners will also pull up stakes. Because we can see that if it is only the free sites and they already want us gone, why would they care? The letter would have to include many premium site owners.

So I am back to an EVENT to send love to ning and free site owners. There must be some reason this is happening, so sending love might help all, weather we have to transition away or stay. As I see the worry needs to end and turn this over to divine.

What do you think?

xoxoo

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Permalink Reply by The Douglas Archives on April 18, 2010 at 10:24am

I understand that the Ning business model is not working as well as was hoped, and that bumping those of us with 'free' sites off the network is apparently required to save the business. Adding income generating features such as gifts was not enough.

But is there a middle way?

Could Ning offer a product that still benefits the business with advertising, but offer the service at a low cost?

And what would network managers be prepared to pay to stay? $3pm? $5pm?

For premium site owners, the problem for them is that the offer has been declining, with reduced functionality. Can they be assured that this new business model will protect the quantity and quality of the features offered? This guarantee is needed if 'free' site owners are to consider an upgrade.

Meanwhile, I am looking at alternatives, and am grateful for the suggestions others have already made. I am considering using Boonex's Dolphin - if I can master the installation!

Keep up the good work, Jen.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on April 18, 2010 at 10:58am

The Douglas Archives, Thank you.
:-)

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Permalink Reply by The Mystic Glen on April 18, 2010 at 12:30pm

To me this makes sense. As I said - first year economics, don't just trash a system until you are sure you can adequately replace what you have. This short-sighted individual has lost a grip on short term and long term goals. Not only will groups fly to other sites - maybe he thinks they won't - but he has created a negative image of his organization. It makes far more sense to offer a "budget" version. Not everyone uses the full capabilities.

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Permalink Reply by 2oedjmhn4ub20 on April 18, 2010 at 10:49am

Forest, I know of you and chazz through Taxi and I was formerly a member of the witches council, but that is whole another story as to why i left, as i found out they were rumored to be hitting our sites through attacking the css codes and our personal emails.

I really enjoyed taxi.. maybe theres another avenue that you guys can go to so as we develop our new sites we can look to you guys for support?

i just had a phone call from one of my admins. she wants to help keep us going for now by going premium. but were not ding anything until may 4th when we can see what ning is proposing for so called fees.

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Permalink Reply by Jaap Verduijn on April 19, 2010 at 5:17am

"(...) Chazz became physically ill when He heard the news (...)"

The melodramatics being produced by disappointed freeloaders are truly astonishing! Next thing we'll hear is that somebody actually died when receiving the "news".

Jaap Verduijn.

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Permalink Reply by United In Spirit on April 18, 2010 at 10:35am

Hey Jen,
United In Spirit is in the process of relocating. I have found another platform which offers the same services as Ning then some. I think Ning are cutting their nose off to spite their face,after all who has made Ning what it is today? Free sites...that has been one of their most prominent promotional tools...free sites.
Also if all free sites disappear into internet cyberspace...so will the members and lets face it,its the members that make everyone's sites successful. Without members Ning is no longer a social network platform,but becomes a rather pricey hosting service.
I think they're whole attitude regarding this will not change neither will their decision. Most unprofessional as far as the lack of notification, all site creators should have received notification, not read it by chance or heard it via word of mouth online.
Anyway, too bad Ning misses out big time. Striking Concept,the company Shade Law and myself own have a massive contract which would have brought the who's who of Hollywood to Ning, we have the support of some of the biggest names in the motion picture industry,but now we're looking to other platforms. Shame Ning, it would have been a very lucrative promotional tool to say the least.
There are platforms out there which are just as good and offer better value for money.
Hasta La Vista Ning..you should have encouraged your free site creators to come on board as paying customers with great offers, but oh well...