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In the midst of the Ning Storm, What’s Your Next Move?

In the midst of the Ning Storm, What’s Your Next Move? We would love to hear from you.

On April 15, 2010, the new CEO (Jason Rosenthal) of Ning Social Networks made a fairly shocking announcement: Ning will start "phasing out free Ning Networks". ...more

In the past 2 years, Ning has become one of the Industry leaders in Social Community platforms - - enabling just about anyone to create a free Social Network of their own - - with members and a full featured Online Community.

This has been a devastating blow for a lot of small networks who can't possibly see their way clear, to pay a monthly service fee. And some of this is not just affordability to a lot of Network Creators who own free sites, but accountability and principle - - doing the right thing. Many of the free sites have been built-up over years, with more passion than one can possibly imagine. There are free sites on just about any topic imaginable - - sites like: family sites, school sports, art, environmental, church, support sites, educational sites, sites for: pets, helping find abducted children, memorial, and tons of grass-roots type causes and non-profit sites. So, it has been a shocking experience for many. And, it's not over yet.

On the other side of the coin, simply stated: for most Ning Network Owners already paying for premium services, this is a relief and great news. Especially in regards to adding more value to their Networks - - the New Ning will possibly mean a true white label, less cross-breeding, and a chance to present Social Networks as their "own", as a real independent business, instead of "just another Ning". There are a lot of Advertisers that will not buy Ad Space from Ning Networks. It's just a fact. But, that should change too.

A lot has happened since the first announcement. For one, following the 2nd announcement on April 16, 2010 - - the much awaited Premium Package/Plans were announced on May 4, 2010. ...more

There have been tons of heated discussions going on, here on the Directory, Ning's Creator site, Spruz sites like the new Ning Refugees, and discussions taking place all over the Internet from TechCrunch to the Times. There has been a lot of screaming, loss of sleep, and even petitions. News headlines have been hopping with news about Ning, both positive and negative. Ning Competitors have been working overtime, making platform plans, changes, press releases etc...trying to offer the free Ning Networks a new home for those who can't stay on Ning.

Network Creators of free Ning Networks have been scrambling, trying to figure out what's next. So, what happens to networks whose owners don’t want to pay, can't pay, or don’t qualify for the educational sponsorship (announced with plans)?...more The Network Owners of these free Ning sites are in the process of trying to figure out an exit plan, looking for alternative platforms, and all within thirty days of the new plans’ arrival in July. Ning CEO, Jason Rosenthal makes promises of a “clear migration path...” But no one knows yet, what will actually be available for export. And most importantly, how will the exported data/content be utilized on other platforms?

What is your next move?

Will you stay with Ning and upgrade to premium?
Will you move to another platform?
Are you still trying to make a decision?
Will you delete your Ning Network, and hope to forget the whole experience?

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Permalink Reply by MY OWN SPACE 360 on May 6, 2010 at 2:59am

I like everyone else who runs a free network went into panic mode when the original announcement was made, I already had a very basic back up site set up on Grou.ps because of the last big ning change when widget labs and all the others where booted off the platform, but had not used it much.
This time though I went the whole hog and built it up and transfered my whole membership, which was brilliant for some of my members who loved the new set up, BUT I had alot of members who said if this was the future they would be going elsewhere, and after 2 years of hard work by myself and a dedicated admin team was something that shook us up a little.
Anyway the long and short of it is after hearing the price structure that ning will be implementing I will be paying the piper and staying with ning, which is music to my members because they now instead of having the one site they love also have a sister site with a few different products and extra storage !!!
This to me is great but I do begrudge being forced into taking on another regular debt that I didnt have before.
The other plus of this whole shambles for myself is that we are now in a position to help other ning members and site creators by offering them a haven if they cant afford to take this debt on. We have an open house policy in regards to people setting up their own mini community in the groups section and also using all site features too.
We have always prided ourselves on not being a site that has bullies, spam,or indeed abuse of any kind, but saying that we also try to let people do their own thing.
So if you are a site or group who needs to keep your community together feel free to contact myself (Sexy Evertonian) or indeed just come along and set it up, I will give you as much help as I can to make it home for everyone. You may add some great input to an already great site and also gain new members of your own group.
Whatever your path in the future is I for one would like to wish you all the best for the future and hope that your community thrives and grows.
I know how much work goes into building a site and I feel so sad for those who are going to the wall, so if you are staying with Ning why not do as I have and help your friends keep their hard worked for groups together.
Kind regards
Pete.
http://myownspace360.ning.com

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Permalink Reply by Robert Decker on May 6, 2010 at 3:33am

i am definitely going to close my ning sights. a bunch of us came from stage 6 to ning. they do not offer more than other network sites. it is like they suckered people to establish networks free and then, when they feel comfortable with ning, ning wants to charge them. not me. i have signed up for spruz and will try it out because it was the first alternative i heard of. now with others out there i hope some people have tried a few and can give some sound advise on which are the better choices. good luck everyone. deck

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Permalink Reply by Art Lab on May 6, 2010 at 3:44am

Network creators are asking the members of heir networks to donate & share the burden. I am a member of more than 500 Ning networks. How can I pay if all the network creators want to charge me for being a member of their networks? Moreover, I have my own network to pay & run. My network Art Lab is and will remain open and free for all its members ! Only I will pay & I won't ask members to share the burden. And if any network creator asks me to pay, naturally I will leave his or her network. Changing to another platform is both time consuming & cumbersome. Many who have changed are complaining that members of their old networks are refusing to join the new ones! Moreover, these free platforms may charge in the future once they grow like Ning is doing. Everything is becoming uncertain & unclear.
So I am sticking with Ning for now. It is better to be with an old & known devil than a new & unknown angel!

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Permalink Reply by Malcolm James on May 6, 2010 at 4:18am

Being elderly it is a bit of a brain banger trying to understand all this. I have closed three sites dow in the last week and have one left which has a loyal membership. I do not understand the following two points.
1. If I pay will I still keep my sire address and my site will not be interfered with at all?
2. I do not understand between Option 1 that has embed videos Option 2 does not mention videos. Option 3 say download videos, whats the difference?
I just want my site at filmnoirliveshere.ning left alone for the members and I will pay to keep it as it is. Is that possible please anyone?

Malcolm

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on May 6, 2010 at 2:30pm

Hi Malcolm,
In addition to Retropirate.co.uk's response, here's my take in regards to Videos: The Mini plan will not allow access to videos that are currently uploaded to your Network. So I don't think the Mini will work for you.

If you choose to go with the Plus ($19.95 per month) instead of the Pro ($49.95), any videos you currently have on your site will remain accessible in the same manner they are today. However, you or members will not be able to upload any more in the future. But, here's the thing. You can upload/host your videos somewhere like youtube and add the embedded code to your Ning Network, in pretty much any text box from the home page to profile pages. And, you can use pretty much the same method with the music uploads. There are several free music players available online - - and you can use the embedded code for those players on your Ning Network. I know for sites where video and music uploads are critical, this adds an extra step. But unless you go with the Pro Plan, you will not be able to upload music and videos - - only embedded code from other hosting providers like youtube and playlist.

For Ning, this is an issue of bandwidth and storage. If videos and music files are uploaded to a Ning Network, this cost a deal in bandwidth and server space.

I believe for everything else, if you go with the Plus Plan, you will see no difference, only more and better features.

Here's the best comparison chart:
http://about.ning.com/announcement/plans.php

Hope that helps,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Shazyack. on May 6, 2010 at 4:50am

My Social network is small, probably smaller than most but to me it is my access to the outside World.
I have made Beautiful friends and the handful I have are Loyal caring and some of the nicest people I have ever come across. For this reason alone I will pay to keep my Site. I owe it to my members.

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Permalink Reply by Pet Profiles Unlimited on May 6, 2010 at 5:52am

Good for you! My thoughts exactly.

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Permalink Reply by Pet Profiles Unlimited on May 6, 2010 at 5:50am

I (creator of Pet Profiles Unlimited) have decided to pay and stay. What a delema! I truely know nothing in this world is actually free so I decide to suck this up and move on. Who is to say with the influx to Spruz, Webs and all the others they don't do the same? I feel I built my online house and I have to maintain it. I will NOT charge to keep members. In fact I had 2 join just yesterday. I guess for me it is once less meal out a month or pick up pennies. Either way, I am here to stay. I don't have any say so over bank bailouts or gas prices but I do here. **I also have my email as Pet Profiles Unlimited, Twitter, and Facebook friends and connections. And also good search engine rank as top 3 in yahoo alone. It is more than a Ning thing for me. Isn't this what all good businesses do?

Pet lovers left behind, Join Us - Pet Profiles Unlimited

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Permalink Reply by Laura on May 6, 2010 at 6:09am

I've decided to take a different approach and try to sell my network. If I dont sell it before the switch I will still keep it, but continue to try and sell it. I no longer have the time for it, but after all my hard work and efforts over the past 3 years, I hate to let it completely disappear. If anyone is interested, it is The Free Affiliate Marketer Network. If any of you are into affiliate marketing, this is an excellent site, with over 800 active members. I have 2 other nings as well, and I have not decided If I will keep those up or not.

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Permalink Reply by INDIA FRIENDS on May 6, 2010 at 6:36am

Network creators are asking the members of their networks to donate & share the burden.
If any network creator asks me to pay, naturally I will leave that network.
I am definitely going to close my indiafriends.ning.com sight and move to spuz. Because just 1month back I created. it is like they suckered people to establish networks free and then, when they feel comfortable with ning, ning wants to charge them. not me. I have signed up for India friends and will try it out because it was the first alternative heard of. Now with others out there i hope some people have tried a few and can give some sound advise on which are the better choices. Good luck everyone.

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Permalink Reply by Arturo Ruiz on May 6, 2010 at 6:52am

My next move?
I am going to a free one. Why Blogspot, Twitter, Facebook an everybody else can give a free service and Ning cannot? Of course Ning has a problem... it is a sinking ship!

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Permalink Reply by Lindy on May 6, 2010 at 7:02am

I am not sure what I am getting into here. We are algroup of 10 teachers who share class materials and make great use of groups to store stuff for different subjects - $200 a year is outside the range of what I - as the owner - can cough up out of my own pocket.
So (a) is there anywhere else I can go?
(b) does it mean I have to copy and paste all the files added by the members? or can I back up the files we have and put them en masses somewhere new?
Help!! I am panicking!