Ning

What is Ning Pro?

Ning Pro, priced at $49.95/month, is the ideal solution for Creators building a comprehensive social experience who need additional features, integration and support. Ning Pro includes all current Ning features, as well as run your own ads, use your own domain, no Ning promotion links, additional storage and bandwidth and premium support — a 33% discount off of what this package costs under our current pricing model, and a 46% discount if you pay the annual price of $499.95. Ning Pro customers will also have the option in the near future to upgrade to get API access and HD video. View a side-by-side comparison of plans here.

What is Ning Plus?

Ning Plus, priced at $19.95/month, provides the robust set of tools and features you need to build and grow a highly-engaged, branded social network – at an incredible value. Ning Plus includes all current Ning features except for video and music uploads and branded players. This plan also includes run your own ads, use your own domain, and remove Ning promotion links. Ning Plus is a incredible value at $19.95/month (a 40% discount) or $199/year (a 63% discount). View a side-by-side comparison of plans here.

What is Ning Mini?

Ning Mini, priced at $2.95/month, is the simplest and fastest way to set up a social network for your classroom, small nonprofit or family group. Ning Mini provides a basic set of features, accommodates networks of up to 150 members, and includes ad-free or run your own ads. For $2.95/month or $19.95/year, Ning Mini is perfect for Network Creators with smaller networks and a limited budget. View a side-by-side comparison of plans here.

Will Ning still offer a free plan?

We will stop offering free Ning Networks when we launch the three new paid plans on July 20. When we launch the plans, Network Creators will be given until August 20 to transition to one of the three paid plans.

Following the launch of the three paid plans on July 20, we will offer a free trial period for new Ning Networks.

A major educational company has offered to sponsor Ning Mini Networks for educators in primary and secondary education. More details to come in early July!

I want to try out Ning before I pay for services. Will there be a free trial period for new Ning Networks?

Yes! When you create a new Ning Network after the July 20 launch, there will be an optional free trial period before you begin paying for a plan. As part of this standard trial period you must enter your payment information to ensure a smooth transition to a paid plan and to prevent abuse on the Ning Platform. If you decide that Ning is not right for you during this time, it will be easy to delete your Ning Network before the free trial period ends. More details to come before the July launch.

When will I be able to sign up for Ning Mini, Plus or Pro?

The new Ning plans will be available July 20.

What payment options will be available? (monthly, annual, CC, paypal)

Following July 20, you will have 30 days to choose the best plan and payment method for you. Each paid plan will have a monthly and annual payment option, which you can purchase with credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover) or PayPal. You can also request an invoice and pay by check or bank-to-bank wire transfer for annual payments only. We are planning to roll out additional payment options following July launch. More details to come.

The pricing for the three new plans are in $US. How do I pay in my local currency?

You can pay in $US with your Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover credit or debit card, or with PayPal, and your payment service will exchange the $US into your currency. They may charge a small fee. For payment by check or bank-to-bank wire transfer, please submit a ticket to our Help Center to get a price quote in your local currency.

I already have premium services on my Ning Network. Do I need to switch to Ning Mini, Plus or Pro?

Yes. Every Ning Network will have until August 20 to transition to one of the three paid plans. These plans include a range of premium options like run your own ads, use your own domain, remove Ning promotional links, additional storage and bandwidth and premium support at an incredible value relative to our current premium services offerings. View the new plans here.

What is the minimum amount of premium services I need to have on my Ning Network to stay on the platform?

We recognize that many small non-profit, family or other small group Ning Networks have limited budgets. For $2.95/month or $19.95/year, Ning Mini provides a powerful set of features to continue to grow and engage with your members.

When do I need to start paying? Do I need to add premium services to my Ning Network now?

No. You will be able to purchase one of the three new plans beginning July 20. Following the launch in July, you will have 30 days to choose and begin paying for one of the plans. However, we recommend that you try out our premium services prior to July, particularly use your own domain.

I do not have premium services on my Ning Network. How do I transition to Ning Mini, Plus or Pro? Will I be able to keep all of the features I have?

The new Ning plans will be available July 20. We will have full details and instructions on how to transition to a paid plan before our July launch. The features included in each paid plan are outlined here. If you choose a paid plan that does not include a feature you currently use, then this feature will no longer be available on your Ning Network. However, the unavailable content will NOT be deleted and can even be downloaded with the Ning Network Archiver. All of the content from that particular feature will return to your Ning Network if you upgrade to a paid plan with that feature.

I am not going to pay for my Ning Network and would like to move to a new platform. How do I export my content and how long do I have to transition away from Ning?

You can download the content of your Ning Network until August 20 by installing the Ning Network Archiver, located on your Manage page. When you run the Ning Network Archiver, you will receive the network content as a .json file. Read more about the Ning Network Archiver here.

What if I do not choose a paid plan within the 30-day transition period after the July launch?

Following launch on July 20, you will have 30 days to choose one of the three paid plans. Ning Networks that do not transition to a paid plan will no longer be available following the 30-day limit (August 20). Network Creators who wish to move to a new platform can use the Ning Network Archiver, located on the Manage page, to download members and network content.

I am an educational Ning Network. Do I need to transition to a paid plan?

We are excited to announce that a major educational company has offered to sponsor Ning Mini Networks for educators in primary and secondary education. More details to come early July! All other educational Ning Networks will need to choose one of the three paid plans.

The premium services I have on my Ning Network are more expensive than the new offerings. Will I receive a refund for my previous premium service charges?

No. Starting July 20, you will be able to switch to a new pricing plan.

We have been working on new ways for you to charge members or request donations. Read about the new revenue ideas here. You can also find out ways other Network Creators are collecting donations on Ning Creators. Click here for a recent post on this topic.

Will Ning offer discounts for any Network Creators?

We will not be offering special discounts for Network Creators on any of the paid plans. However, we are offering a one-time annual price for Network Creators who choose the annual option between July 20 and August 20:

• Ning Pro - $49.95/month or $499.95/year*
• Ning Plus - $19.95/month or $199.95/year*
• Ning Mini - $2.95/month or $19.95/year*

* One-time annual pricing

I was planning on starting a Ning Network now. Should I wait until July?

Now is a great time to get started and test out the features and premium services on your new Ning Network. Think of it as a longer trial period to choose the best paid plan for you.

I am a member of a Ning Network. Will Ning require me to pay?

No. The new pricing plans are for Network Creators who choose to continue to manage and grow their Ning Network. Following July 20 launch, Ning Networks will transition to one of the three paid plans. Ning will not require members to pay.

How do I lock in the lowest rate for my Ning Network?

We’ve created plans for nearly every type of Ning Network, from the smallest group to the largest business. The plans offer an incredible value relative to our current premium services and other options in the market. Current and new Network Creators can lock in an even better rate by taking advantage of our one-time annual pricing from July 20 to August 20. The one time pricing is $499.95/year for Ning Pro (save 17% over the monthly rate), $199.95/ year for Ning Plus (save 16%) and $20/year for Ning Mini (save 44%).

How long will the one-time annual rates be available?

You can take advantage of the annual pricing points if you transition to one of the annual paid plans from July 20 to August 20.

If I select a monthly payment option but then switch to the annual option after the July transition period, will I still be offered the initial annual rates?

The one-time annual rate will expire August 20. However, we will likely continue to offer an annual discount after that date.

I run multiple Ning Networks. Do I need to purchase a paid plan for each Ning Network?

Yes. These plans were created for individual Ning Networks. However, we will offer free test network solutions for Network Creators who purchase one of the three paid plans.

I want to create a free testing environment for my Ning Network. Will this be offered?

Yes! Network Creators will be offered a way to test out changes before they are applied to their Ning Network.

How will I know how much storage and bandwidth I am using?

We plan to roll out tools for you to view and manage the storage and bandwidth levels on your Ning Network. More details to come.

What changes will be made to Ning’s TOS?

We'll update our TOS to reflect the changes in our product and services in connection with the move from the freemium to paid model. In addition, we'll outline these as we approach July 20.

Will Ning offer premium support in addition to the new offering?

Yes! In addition to the support options included in each paid plan, you can upgrade to a premium support plan. We will be updating our premium support plans prior to July 20. More details to come.

Will Ning offer premium services in addition to the new offering?

Yes! We plan to offer upgrades in the future, for example: HD Video, API access and advanced statistics. More details to come.

Will my Ning Mini, Ning Plus or Ning Pro Network come with support?

Yes! Each plan includes a different level of support from community-based (creators.ning.com) to email support. View details here.

Once I select a Ning offering, can I switch to a different version?

Certainly! We are working on this transition now and will have details at the July 20 launch.

What will happen to my uploaded videos if I do not have Ning Pro?

Both Ning Plus and Ning Mini come with ability to embed videos on your Ning Network. However, video upload from your computer is not included. The videos you and your members uploaded before the transition will still be available for members to view on Ning Plus, but will not be available with Ning Mini. The unavailable videos will NOT be deleted and can even be exported. All of the video content will return to your Ning Network if you upgrade to Ning Plus or Ning Pro.

I have 149 members. What happens if I have Ning Mini and then get my 150th member tomorrow or the next day? Will I be ‘capped’ at a certain number?

Once you reach 150 members, you won’t be able to approve new members unless you trim your Ning Network down below 150 members or upgrade to the Plus or Pro plans.

If I have more than 150 members, can I select Ning Mini?

If you have between 151 and 400 members, you can still select Ning Mini. However, you won’t be able to approve any further members until your membership drops below 150. Members and Friends pages will only show the most recent 150 members. You cannot chose Ning Mini if you have more than 400 members. You will first need to reduce your Ning Network to 150-400 members, then select Ning Mini.

What if I don’t want all the features in Ning Plus, but I need the Language Editor or Groups feature? Can I purchase the Language Editor or Groups feature for Ning Mini?

No. Ning Mini cannot be enhanced with Ning Plus or Ning Pro features.

I have customized my Ning Network with CSS, Javascript and the Language Editor. What will happen to these customizations if I select Ning Mini?

All CSS, Javascript and Language Editor customizations will remain in place when you select Ning Mini. Because the Advanced Appearance Box, Analytics Box and Language Editor aren’t available with Ning Mini, you won’t be able to make further edits. You will have the option to erase the CSS or Javascript, or revert to the default in the Language Editor.

What happens to my Groups/Pages/Notes/Events feature if I select Ning Mini?

The Groups/Pages/Notes/Events feature and content will not be available on your Ning Mini Network. However, if you later upgrade to a plan that includes these features, the content within each feature will be available to add back in. You will also have the option to export your groups/pages/notes/events content using the Ning Network Archiver when you transition to Ning Mini.

I have more than 3 text boxes and 1 RSS feed. What will happen to my extra text boxes/RSS feeds if I select Ning Mini?

If you currently have more than 3 text boxes or 1 RSS feed and transition to Ning Mini, all of your text boxes and feeds will remain in place, However, you won't be able to make edits until you have reduced the number of Main Page text boxes to 3 or RSS feeds to 1.

Will there be a limit to the number of features on my Ning Network?

Both Ning Plus and Ning Pro include up to 50 main page features.

Will Ning offer enhanced branding solutions?

Yes! All three paid plans allow you to replace the Ning ID with your custom network ID. Ning Plus and Ning Pro also give you the option to remove Ning branding and links.