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Top Rated Business Networking Site
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Ecademy
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We definitely recommend the Ecademy business networking site and instantly appreciated their fluid and user-friendly website interface. Any important link on the site can be found along the top margin tabs.
While Ecademy doesn't have a million and one members like some of their competition, they do host nearly 200,000 and do a great job doing so! There are tons of resources here for potential business connections and we liked how easy it was to sign up for an account.
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Buddy Program-
If you're new to Ecademy, opt to sign up for the Ecademy Buddy Program. You'll not only learn the in's and out's of the service, you'll get to join an established network!
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Join clubs, send and receive messages, attend networking events
Star Reviews always applauds sites that keep things simple while boasting a plethora of features. If you want a basic membership and would like some added bonuses, try out the PowerNetworker membership for 14 days-FREE. If you like having unlimited messaging capabilities, unlimited marketplace ads for your products/services and a member profile that's Google-optimized, sign up for only $14.95 a month. If you typically utilize customer support, there is speedy and efficient email support, as well as a detailed FAQs section. We have no problem awarding Ecademy our Top Rated spot with 5.5 Stars!
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Most Popular Business Networking Site
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FastPitch
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When we came across the FastPitch business networking site, we really liked alot of their features! They boast a very comprehensive business-to-business website and you'll find alot to do here.
First of all, they really bank on their FastPitch! Networking feature, allowing members to create discussions in their many forums, check out conferencing events and create a business profile to advertise products and services.
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Distribute your company's press releases using FastPitch! Press.
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Search FastPitch profiles and receive alerts when members join!
Star Reviews has to hand it to FastPitch. They offer a great, free basic membership and if you want a premium account, it's a low $4.95 a month. You receive the added bonus of features like 50 FastPitch connections monthly, as well as preferred profile ranking and 1,000 ad impressions. Surprisingly (considering the extent of customer support on their competition's websites) customer support was available via email, live chat, phone and FAQs here. All were efficient and friendly. They snag our Most Popular spot at 5.5 Stars!
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Business Networking Site Reviews
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We have mixed feelings regarding the LinkedIn experience. While they are well-established (with 14 million members worldwide, to be exact) they aren't very user-friendly.
We'll put this shortly-to use their profile matching system, you're going to have to have some of their software installed. The problem? We faced alot of issues with compatibility, and Microsoft Office Outlook has to be your default mail client (it's not for many of us). Unless you meet the LinkedIn OS requirements (Windows XP or 2000) you will definitely face some problems when using a Mac or Vista, for example.
- Find old classmates as well as colleagues
- Post a job opening on the LinkedIn website.
Star Reviews did like some of the features on the LinkedIn website. For instance, you can scope out old colleagues by typing in the company name and dates you worked for them. You can also search for members manually through their network if you please. There are plenty of forums and Q&A message boards if you need any help, but when we sent a customer support inquiry via webform, we didn't hear back. We think LinkedIn could definitely improve on their customer support, but their popular business networking site earned them 5.0 Stars!
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Calling all ladies...in business that it. If you're looking for an excellent entrepreneurial experience, then WomanOwned is definitely a great choice in business networking sites.
When we first landed on the WomanOwned website, we appreciated how resourceful and appealing it was! Tagged with 'Tools for Business Success,' we were impressed by their level of service right off the bat.
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Biz Tools
-All things business, from resources for capital and marketing tools to discount travel and office supplies info.
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Build a network of business contacts, promote your business, create professional interest groups
Star Reviews loves how specialized this business networking site was and applauds WomanOwned for providing a venue for women in business on the Net. Not only is membership completely free, you can even advertise for your business on-site if you feel so inclined. While a paid premium membership is $19.95 per month, we feel it's well worth the added benefits, such as unlimited group messaging, ability to upload nearly 100 photos, and create and edit message boards. If you should need customer support, an online form promises a response within 24 hours-and they deliver. There is also a comprehensive FAQS section to browse through. We give them 5.0 Stars!
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We have to admit, our team landed on the XING website and first impressions weren't lasting. However, this turned out to be a pretty good choice in business networking sites!
We really liked that XING kept things simple. In business networking, sometimes the features are overwhelming, but XING really maintained a user-friendly database.
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Manage and expand your network with professional contact tools.
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Open up new sales channels with with XING's business accelerator.
Star Reviews applauds XING for their extensive user forums, which are definitely a great place to branch out and meet new people. Offering about 25,000 member forums, if you need to network, XING's the place to do it. Signing up for a membership is simple and free, but if you choose to register for a premium account, expect to pay $8.21 a month. You'll be able to perform advanced searches by location, company or university and post offerings on the XING marketplace board. Customer support is limited to a web-based email form (which took 3 days to elicit an answer) and a small FAQs section. Good thing there site is easy to figure out. They receive 5.0 Stars!
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Looks can be deceiving and at the Ryze business networking site, this is the case in point. Don't expect a polished and highly intuitive user interface here: Ryze keeps things to the bare minimum.
However, Star Reviews has to say, you have a great chance of meeting tons of new contacts here, since they host about half a million members globally through their site!
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'Try Making New Friends'
-Ryze lets you connect with business prospects through this unique feature, as well as an 'Invite a Friend' to the Ryze Network site.
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Post your classified ads in the Ryze.com classified section.
Our team must admit-this business networking site knows what it's doing. Although there aren't as many bells and whistles here, if you're looking for clean, straightforward person-to-person networking, this site will be a good choice for you. Best of all, the service is completely free. Like many of their competitors, there are upgraded account options, such as a Gold Membership for $10 a month, allowing you to create and lead your own Ryze network, access the newest members listing, and perform 25 advanced member searches each month. Customer support via email and FAQs were right on point. We give them 4.5 Stars!
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 We thought that LTBN or Let's Talk Business Network was a pretty decent site initially. They didn't look like they had alot going on, but we had to dig deeper.
It turns out that LTBN is targeted at high-level executives, industry experts and big-name business owners. Not just anyone can sign up here (membership isn't open and you need to be approved before becoming a member.)
- Co-active coaching and Peer advisory boards
- LTBN Live and LTBN radio
Star Reviews noticed that the Let's Talk Business Network stood out from the competition in that they are a little more selective in their signup process. We must note: many LTBN events are held each year and you can purchase tickets to see big biz names such as Jim McCann speak (1-800-Flowers founder) in New York. Many of these events are held in Manhattan, so consider this if your company is based in California, for example. Membership prices are quoted once you meet the LTBN requirements: $1,495 a year (another reason why this isn't the best site for casual networkers.) Customer support for members is great all around, by email, phone and snail mail. They receive 4.0 Stars!
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