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.

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Linda. We haven't made any changes. We're just providing more options for people who want to pay less and pick and choose specific features. 

[Speed Racer]

these are for people who, say, have a mini plan, but want a feature or two of the plus plan without moving up to a plus plan.....some people do not need all of the features of plus (or pro). This is a way for those people to stay on mini and add that 1 or 2 feature(s), and it is optional, you don't have to do it.

[Kemi]

with the video add-on can members only add a vid with the use of a 3rd party embed,ie, youtube and such? can a vid be uploaded from a cell or a members own software like on fb? I read the other plan features but i'm just not too clear on it. (it would be nice if cust didnt have to upload to a third party inorder to post a video to the site....

[Eric Suesz]

With the Video Player Add-on, your members can upload video. I don't think phone uploads are offered, but it does offer the ability to upload video from a computer. 

[Socrates]

Would it be possible to add the Chat as an add-on for Ning Mini networks?

[Eric Suesz]

Great question! Right now, this isn't possible. Here's the list of add-ons that we currently offer, but perhaps the new chat can be added to this list in the future if there is demand for it. 

[Beth Alexander]

So where is the pricing on the addons are they all 9.95?  I've searched and searched and can't find it listed anywhere. 

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Beth. You can find all of the pricing details on the Add-Ons section of your dashboard. 

As noted above in this same discussion:

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. 

[Beth Alexander]

That's great but what about people who are trying to decide if they will jump into Ning or not?

[Beth Alexander]

They do not have a dashboard to refer to.

[Eric Suesz]

That is a detail that we haven't added to the main marketing page for our plans, but we are redesigning that now, so maybe we can make this more apparent for new Network Creators.

These add-ons were mostly added as an option for current subscribers who are familiar with the platform and want a specific module added on to the Mini plan. We had a lot of requests for that from long-time customers. We don't see this as a big part of our on-boarding strategy for new customers, but it definitely could be more apparent. 

Here's some more info in our Help Center, too, in case that helps. 

[Beth Alexander]

Yes that links is helpful.    Now I have a place to refer clients who are evaluating the Ning platform.

Thank you.