Forget about hiring pricing coders and designers, Ning lets you create and share your very own Web 2.0 sites. Dubbed a “playground” for building social applications, Ning was co-founded by Marc Andreessen, the guy who also co-founded Netscape. Despite a fitful start, Ning has matured into a surprisingly easy and fun service to play with.

logo_100x40.gif

Ning lets you clone and modify a number of existing templates (they call them Apps) that look remarkably similar to many Web leaders (craiglist, eBay, del.icio.us, etc.)

Browsing through their site, you can check out the sites that others have already created (e.g., L.A. restaurant reviews). If you like what you see, you can instantly clone the site and begin to modify it to your fit your own needs.

Here’s one that I created (in only a few minutes mind you, so easy on the critiques) that knocks off craigslist:

The Future of Real Estate Exchange

The value I see here, aside from the fun of just playing around with Ning’s different options, would be to the smaller brokers and independent agents who are looking for something to add to their portfolio of web properties. Someone who has maybe gotten their feet wet blogging or with their own web site and is looking to expand their offerings to clients.

The combination of a blog and a craigslist clone, for example, might help a Realtor market themselves as the leading local market expert on a particular neighborhood.

In any case, it’s exciting to see that these sorts of Web 2.0 web sites are becoming as easy to set up and customize as a blog. The fact that they’re free doesn’t hurt either. Someone with the right combination of vision, drive and gumption might be able to come up with something truly exciting.

Come up with a neat Ning App? Please post the URL in the comments section.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×