Ning, a provider of webbased social media software, announced a strategy change according to the web magazine gigaom. Up to now the service offered the free creation of social media services to everyone either by using templates or programing an own service. In the following Ning will offer paid services only.

This step is in some way astonishing. About a year ago the service has been mentioned here as the second fastest growing social network just behind Twitter and according to the Alexa Traffic Ranking Ning is still around place 60 in the US (internationally place 120).

But an international traffic rank of 120 seems to be not enough for the freemium business model. Similar occurrences do happen in the publishing business with popular publications having a large reach but problems with their business models because of shrinking revenues. Without doubt the traffic rank is a critical parameter, which is showing a strong descent regarding establishing an internet business depending on the business subject. Read the following article for more about the strategy change at Ning.

Ning Kills Free Service, Would Like to Get Paid Now, Please

Directory Sources: Social Media – Social Media Software