Dear Ning, Private Network with Public Pages?

[Possibility]

Hi Ning/Everyone

I have two main ning websites. One is a private forum for my niche industry and the other is a public site which I use as a content management system to market my customers who pay me to promote them online.

I know that the Terms and Conditions page on all Ning sites is a public page that everyone can see regardless of whether they are a member or not.

On a private network is there some way to make certain pages or areas of the site public? For example could I create pages that the search engines and general public can see without them having to log into and sign up to the private site?

Thanks

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Possibility. If you choose to have a private site, there's not a way to index specific pages or areas of your network so that Google will find it. We offer the ability to make your Main Page public, but not specific pages or areas.

[Spyro]

I posted a discussion about the same a few days ago. I would love this feature too.... Any way we can see this happening?

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Spyro. We actually considered that but weren't able to find enough examples of ways people use this. We couldn't come up with enough scenarios to justify something quite like this. If you have a specific way you would like to use this type of thing, let me know. Would it be for SEO purposes? Just curious. Let us know.

[Spyro]

OK Let me try and explain.

 

In terms of SEO it would be good, but it isn't just for SEO (Which is a big reason as a matter of fact)

 

I have few sections on my ning that would like to change privacy settings, for example, I want the jobboard to be accessible (not just visible) by members. (Jobs board is a blog archive with jobs postings), or someone else may say, I only want the photos private and all the rest sections public.

 

The current format is not very friendly, and I believe there are several ways around it. Instead of being redirected to the sign up page when you click a page on a private network it would be good to land on the destination page and get a message (on the page) saying something like "You have to be a registered member to access this content, please sign up here."(similar thing it says on a public network on the comment section)

 

That said, all the content titles would be visible to everyone. I would love if people could navigate through my whole network but they have to register to see the content (or part of the content)

 

There is the option, when members/admins add something, to make content available to their friends, but not to all the members, That would kinda solve the problem I have If could post the content I submit as admin only to registered members of my network

 

I know there is the option to make tab visible only to members but this is not exactly what I need as I want registered and non registered members to be able to see the tabs.

 

There are more other reasons, for example, if you'd like to make guidelines visible by everyone or any other pages that would be beneficial.

 

Do you see where I'm going. ? Your current privacy settings it was good a year ago but now you're improving and I think is a matter you should look at and give us some more freedom and flexibility. if people can't see the content that's on the network how will they join? where if they are able to see and they have to join to get more information I think it would work better.

 

Also, an idea would be for a non registered member to be able to view a max of 10 pages and then have to sign up to view more..

 

Let me know your thoughts. sorry for the huge message, I hope it makes sense...

 

[O. Watts]

Thank you for responding.  I am a newbie at this.  I did try to set up a public sight and make certain pages available to members only, but that does not seem to be working.  If you know specifically where I could get this info that would be great.

[Possibility]

I guess the work around for it would be to create a public site with the content you want everyone to see and then map the domain for your private Ning network as a subdomain. Like members.yournetwork.com and then have a link in the public site to your private network.

It does seem a shame to have to use a different website for the public site because Ning is such a great content management system compared to others in the market. But I guess you could use one Ning network for the public site and a second for the private site. But of course you then have to pay for two networks.

[Andrea Hardaway]

Hey Eric -

Wanted to respond to you with example of how we'd use Public / Private pages on VoiceMatters.net.   I need VoiceMatters.net to be a private network, because it allows the members to freely share information with one another about their voice disorders.  They are a lot of issues people with these disorders go through.  So, the private network helps them feel open and able to start dealing with those issues. 

 

On the other hand, new member (or those considering joining the network) may be hesitant to join, because they are not able to go any place and learn more about the site (About Us, FAQ, Resources, etc...).

 

Additionally, I am starting to get some media interest for my site.  I know I need to get a designer to help modify the site and make it more appealing, but (without the ability to open up access to pages that the media would be interested in... without having to join the site), then not sure how much I can do to meet the needs of the media and attract the appropriate attention to the appropriate pages.

 

At the end of the day, SEO is important as well.... For me, it is because I need to do as much as I can do increase people's awareness about vocal disorders and also to let those living with the disorders know they are not alone; there is a resource that exists to help them.

[Possibility]

Thanks Eric.

That's what I thought. But just wanted to check. It's why I've got two sites instead of the "one" site I originally envisioned.

x

[O. Watts]

Hi,

I would like to see this as well.  I am setting up dating site, so I want the main page, blogs, and contact us visible to everyone.  Everything else will be viewed by members only.  Is there anyway to make this happen?

[NingStar]

I think this is very important to give NCs on private networks the option of making pages public i was hoping this was added to "updates to pages part two" posted by NIng but didnt find it please we need this feature for our networks as most of us offer services that require the page to public.

[Spyro]

I think this feature will be better to be added in Tab & Pages... so we can make public not only pages, but anything we want , eg blog, videos etc

[NingStar]

Agreed