Ning Eliminating Free Service!
It is with regret that I must share Ning’s intention to phase out their free offering. They have announced that all network creators will receive a letter in July giving Ning network owners 30 days to convert their communities into one of three paid packages ($2.95-49.95/month) completely changing the offerings/pricing structure they marketed to us originally. Am I reading this right????
In their announcement, they say…
Our shift to a paid service model will enable us to focus to a greater degree on enhancing the features, performance and services we offer to our paying Network Creators. You’ll immediately see greater control over your network branding, design and member experience.
Shame on you NING! In as much as I’d planned on upgrading the two NING networks I have not done so far, I do NOT like dealing with companies who change the rules to suit them or having my hands forced. I will not be promoting you moving forward!
What do you think of their approach? Will you continue using Ning or look for another solution? Please click on the link and tell me what you’re thinking!
May 6th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I was surprised as well when I read that message. Not impressed with it one bit!
Looking at the cost to benifit ratio, I might still go forward with using the service. If you find out something just as good, let me know.
Thanks ~Ed
May 7th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I believe that Ning has moved in a positive direction, they have listened to their customers and to give them (paying customers) better service, made a choice. Their choice was to focus on making improvements and to do so they needed to change their model for doing business. Like many businesses they need to adapt to changing environments, not everyone will like the change but to remain competitive the changes needed to be made. There are many free sites like Ning out there and Ning from what I have learned is going to provide the opportunity to migrate your membership if you choose to no longer use their platform. I personally look forward to better features, control & design. We see change within the social networks regularly, taking Facebook as an example we have seen many changes with little to no notice, at least Ning has given a lot of notice so that people are not left with little time to decide & make a choice. At Social Fish we look forward to a bright future with Ning.