Ning.com: Create Your Own Social Network for Free

I have recently discovered Ning.com - a great open platform that lets you make your own social network. You can choose from a wide variety of premade themes, organize your main page content any way you want, and even add in new Open Social gadgets from Google's new Open Social initiative.

According to the Ning blog, they now power 115,000 social networks - more than any other platform on the web. They call themselves the "Home Depot" of social networking, and for good reason. There are new rumors floating around the web that they will be bought by Google, as they have such a high profile.

Ning allows you to upload your own logo, and add text boxes to your main or profile page where you can place Widgets from other places on the web. I personally like Widgetbox, as they have literally hundreds of cool widgets to choose from. You can place anything from a calendar, to an analog clock to a dancing Hillary on your pages using this feature. Uploading cool new YouTube videos is easy, and also helps you to build buzz for your site.

If you don't like the templates much, you can easily change the colors, or even import your own CSS style sheet to make the network uniquely yours. Make sure the colors you choose blend well with your logo, and that a white background logo doesn't cut into the top template you choose.

The platform allows you to upload videos, photos, connect to Flickr, add blogs, discussions and groups. Why go to an expensive developer, or take the time for development when the Web 2.0 world moves so quickly? A software development effort could easily take upwards of 4 months to complete, which can leave just enough time for someone else to use your idea and build a following.

Ning allows families to have their very own small network without getting lost in a Myspace or Facebook. I also saw smaller special interest groups such as Firefighters, Wiccans/Pagans, and Broadway lovers with their very own spaces too. What a great concept!