Purchase Add-On Features to Create the Community You Need

[Eric Suesz]

Over the past year or so, we’ve consistently heard a request from our customers — both in surveys and here on Creators — for the option to purchase specific features. Some educators, for example, have said they are mostly happy with the plan they have, except that they want the Groups module. Some Network Creators are laser-focused on community listening. They want to add the Music Player. Another big request has been from networks that are event-driven: They just want Events. In short, we’ve been hearing that our customers want a la carte options.

We’re happy to report that we’re making it easier for you to add features that are important for your community without requiring you to upgrade your network to a more expensive plan. Today, we’re introducing four Add-On features, which are available individually for a set monthly fee: Groups, Events, Branded Music Player and Branded Video Player.

You’ll find these options in a new “Add-Ons” section of your Dashboard, where you can get more information on each option, as well as purchase them. You’ll see any purchased options in your billing area at www.ning.com. If you’re a Mini customer, you now have the option of adding one or more of these features to your current plan. If you’re a Plus customer, you already have access to Groups and Events; you’ll now have the option to add a Branded Music Player or Branded Video Player. Or both! (Or none.) The choice is entirely up to you.

One thing to note: You can turn these Add-Ons on or off yourself without the need to contact us directly. If you turn off an Add-On, the content will be become unavailable for you and your members at the end of your specific monthly billing cycle. However, that content will not be deleted. So, you could always decide to turn an Add-On back “on again” at a later date. Our goal around this is to provide as much flexibility as possible so you can make use of these Add-Ons as you see fit. Of course, if you have any questions about how Add-Ons work, you’re always welcome to contact us directly. You can also read all about these Add-Ons here in the Help Center.

We hope this provides the options some Network Creators have been looking for. We have more Add-Ons planned, so let us know in the comments which additional existing features you’d like to see made available.

[Denis]

Great idea.

Here is a question: NCs with pro plans have the full package. If they chose to drop an item from their package like Groups, Events, etc that you now offer as a paid ad on, would that reduce their current monthly fee?

Here are my ideas for future paid ad ons:

1. Ning market place.

2. Ning virtual classroom

3. Ning games

4. Ning classifieds

5. Ning links directory

@Kris. Polls as a paid ad on? I'd say it's just a missing item in Ning packages.

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Denis. No. Removing a feature from a plan like that isn't possible. You would need to drop down to a lower plan and add your way up. 

[Denis]

Ok. I might have to do that with one of my networks and only add the features when the need arises. This is a good reform.

[Andrew Aker]

Ning is listening!  +1    

Please enable me to share discussions like this on my twitterfacebookgoogle+ channels.   

[Alan Mclaughlin]

we will check it out 

[Emmanuel Ace]

Exactly what I wanted.

But price is a little bit higher i was thinking around $4

[George Montgomery]

As an earlier comment stated, this is the way I thought Ning would have gone for paid memberships  - allowing NCs to create tailored service offerings to match their user needs.

As you say Eric, "In short, we’ve been hearing that our customers want a la carte options."

I look forward to future new Ning features being available as add-ons like these initial ones.

[Ștefănescu Romeo-Nicolae]

Thank you

 

Romeo - Nicolae + ASiIiVro

[Caribso]

where you from, is it new year already in your country? lol

[Vera Marques da Cunha Monteiro]

Hi,

it would be useful to have a la carte feature to archive files. ... at low cost (no more than 10$/mo, please).

[Aaron]

Hi Vera,

We already offer this feature free of charge! :) You can install the Ning Network Archiver by going to My Network > Content > Archive.

Best,
Aaron 

[Vera Marques da Cunha Monteiro]

Hi Aaron,

I was talking about the possibility of share files between members. What I want is a flie manager like that of the pro version....

The Archive you mentioned is only available to the creator of the network, isn't it? Is a kind of backup of the network....

Best