internet

If you're fed up of Facebook or tired of MySpace then maybe it's time you started your own social networking site!

Yes, that's right!  Instead of being one of the herd: start your own site and see if you can become the next LiveJournal or Friendster.  All you need is some imagination, a few friends to start you off and you can be up and running in no time.

And, what's more, there's no coding of websites, learning curve or capital required, it can all be done for free.  For a look at what you can do, go to Ning .

This website is not a network site itself, rather it's a clever idea that acts as a container and template for other social networking sites.   To give you an idea, look on the front page where you will always find a collection of new sites for you to consider.

If you sign up then you can use the Ning facilities to create a networking site and customise it to reflect your own and the group's character.  Have a look at some of the sites that have been created to help you get a feel for what is possible and maybe collect some ideas for your own offering.

There are countless sites already on Ning some of which are obviously successful

There are countless sites already on Ning some of which are obviously successful and some perhaps not quite so but there are also some sites that are clearly only intended for a limited audience.

Although we did not create a site, it seemed to us that the mechanics of it were easy, it was the idea and the content that were hard, so if you are an ideas person then the sky could well be the limit! 

Physically creating the site is almost like creating your own page on any networking site and most of the features are set using a management page that allows you to add sections and change the colour scheme and layout.

Should you later want to progress to an bigger and more commercial site then Ning is able to cater for that too, and a special non-free commercial site is also available.

Our advice is to find your way to the 'Help' where you will get some idea of what is involved and what you can do.  Further down the page is a link to the Developer network and various other networks and blogs that will also give you more information and ideas.

We thought this was an excellent site and, of course, if you do create your own networking site then let us know below and we will all come and visit!

Tags: create, networking