Ning Launches Social Networking Platform

Ning, a company that has an illustrious management team has just launched a new social networking platform. Platform? Well, sort of. While the primary focus of the site seems to be similar to what we’ve seen with other social networks like mySpace / LinkedIn, one of the key differences with what they’re doing is offering premium services to those who want to use their own domain names and run their own advertising on a private label site.

Eh?

In simpler words, say if you want have a unique idea of a social networking site and want to bring like minded people together to share photos, videos and blogs with each other, you could pay Ning a few dollars a month (varies depending on the number of features and space you need) and point your domain to their server.

Great concept.. been watching them for a while since the buzz related to Marc Andreessen started the outfit.

What do we really think — great concept, a few months late in terms of execution. We do see a lot of opportunity here in the private labeling business, specially if handled correctly and marketed to the right group of people — Galdwell style connectors.

More on this later, right now I am desperately searching for the “Buy Now” or “Upgrade to a premium service” button or link on their site.

Ok, found the link to upgrade to the premium service. Apparently you have to set everything up before you upgrade. We’d assumed that one of the first questions they’d ask would be something like “Would you like to point your own domain to your Social Network” during the signup process. Would be interesting to find out at some point if they did any A/B testing and hid the premium service option in an obscure place for a reason. (I’m assuming it is an oversight for now).