Plinkd

[triumph]

Has anyone heard of Plinkd? They are a brand new host that offers discounts based on the total size of the community. So if everyone helps the community of customers of Plinkd grow, everyone gets lower rates. It is an interesting concept. Don't really know much more about them. Just came across a press release they had.

Glasgow, UK, June 19, 2006 -- A new voice in hosting launched this week Plinkd.com, to provide hosting for all of those Web 2.0 fans just waiting to build the latest applications. Plinkd have launched with a hosting feature set that includes PHP5 and Ruby on Rails. But, the real twist in Plinkd's tail is the community discount scheme.

Plinkd's community discount scheme allows users to invite people and build a community, as a reward for this Plinkd offer every person in that community a discount depending on the actual number of members. Plinkd CEO, Gary Reid said, "We've put together a way that users can get rewarded for doing what they'll probably do anyway - that's recommend us to others. But, what's more important is that our system means not only do they get rewarded but their friend does too, plus the friends friend and so on."

It's looking like Plinkd have put together something truly unique in the hosting world, which is unusual. The community system works through an application Plinkd have put together called Access Point. This allows you to 'invite' people you know to get hosting from Plinkd by giving them a unique community code. If they use this code they get added to your community. The community then gets 'bulk buying discount', in other words the more people in your community the more discount you get.

Already some large communities have been formed around LinkedIn and OpenBC, business networking sites, where users can already get 50% discount on Plinkd's fees, details can be found on the Plinkd web site.

Plinkd have also ensured that users get a fair deal on multiple domain hosting "No domain parking or domain redirects every client can add domains with their own discreet login and web panel, we call it full fat domains," added Gary.

http://press.xtvworld.com/article12192.html

[monaghan]

Isn't this just the same as the referral bonus scheme most hosts offer anyway but just stuffed into the form of a community ? They suggest 50% discount, we potentially allow 100% discount in the event of sufficient referrals.

[triumph]

Yeah it does result to be the same thing, but I like the concept, because it creates a sense of community and belonging where one did not exist, and I think that is attractive to some people.

Personally, it would not appeal to me, but I know people who would find it intriguing.

[brian]

It's an interesting spin - looks like they're trying for the viral markting aspect, which means it could even work.

[ninikins]

Never heard of anything like this before. Very interesting idea and I agree, it COULD work. I hope so.

[-thoma-]

Looks good. I am not much of a fan of the whole "post or advertise on our forum, and we will give you free hosting or discounts!" thing. I'd rather just pay an extra $1 a month or so than post on there forums and waste time.