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Zocku Launched to Exclusively Serve Mature Content Networks
Published by Stivi on Monday 2nd February 2009 02:02am | View all blogs by Stivi
Thank you to all the network owners that have established ‘mature content’ networks on SocialGO. We are very committed to serving the needs of quality networks that feature mature content and today we announce the launch of Zocku.com.
Zocku.com will be a dedicated social networking platform and support team exclusively for Network Owners wanting to create social networks with mature content. Zocku.com will provide their network owners with:
And for everyone that joins Zocku.com in February we will be giving you FREE until the end of April:
1. If you are interested in using Zocku
Zocku will initially be available to Network Owners with existing SocialGO mature networks. Existing SocialGO networks that wish to use the Zocku platform will be seamlessly moved over by our technical team upon successful application and initial payment. Network Owners do not have to do anything else!
Network Owners who wish to become early adopters of Zocku.com can apply to transfer from SocialGO to Zocku by registering interest here. We will email you within 48 hours of your application to advise when your network can be transferred.
If your network address was mynetwork.socialgo.com, it will become mynetwork.zocku.com. But don’t worry, your old URL will redirect users for the next 3 months so you have time to let your members know.
All transfers from SocialGO to Zocku are expected to take place prior to 15 February 2009, after which SocialGO will no longer host networks with mature content that is of a sexual nature.
2. If you are not interested in using Zocku
By providing a dedicated environment for mature content at Zocku, SocialGO will soon no longer accept networks with mature content that is of a sexual nature after 15 February 2009. Existing SocialGO mature networks that do not wish to use the Zocku platform will have the option to purchase a full Database Export of their site content and membership data prior to a scheduled deactivation of any such network. Any deactivation of a network will only occur with reasonable notice and within a reasonable time period and never will a Network Owner be deprived of their data or content.
3. When will Zocku be open to new networks?
For the time being priority will be given to Network Owners that have already created quality mature networks on SocialGO and wish to transfer from SocialGO to Zocku. We are planning to open Zocku to new networks from 15 February 2009. In the meantime mature networks can continue to join SocialGO for FREE and then migrate over before 15 February 2009.
4. Will Zocku be fast and reliable?
Zocku will be a dedicated platform with its own totally dedicated hosting infrastructure in the USA, plus a premium support team. It will be exclusively for quality Owners of mature content networks that are interested in paying for a quality service. It will not be weighed down by network owners that are only interested in abusing the platform as free-loaders.
5. Can Network Owners be sure they’ll get quality service?
For your complete peace of mind we are offering an Unconditional Money Back Guarantee whereby any Network Owner that is not happy within the first month can get back everything they have paid to Zocku (excludes third party widgets) with no questions asked.
6. Why would you want to pay for Zocku?
Apart from providing a high quality service exclusively for Owners of networks with mature content, Zocku’s primary and future focus will be to develop a platform that helps Network Owners monetize their networks so they can create thriving and successful online businesses. We have many exciting monetization tools in the pipeline.
7. How can network owners monetize their networks?
Already many Network Owners are using Member Billing to generate considerable revenues from their network, for example many networks charge members small monthly fees that more than cover any running costs. To help all Network Owners monetize their networks we are giving away for FREE Member Billing until 30 April 2009 if you join Zocku in February. We have also made Run Your Own Advertising standard in the Zocku package, so you can monetize your networks even further through advertising.
8. What happens with SocialGO?
Going forward SocialGO will operate as a separate platform and for the time being remain in BETA. From 15 February 2009 SocialGO will soon no longer accept mature networks with content of a sexual nature. In the meantime mature networks can trial SocialGO, but please bear in mind you will have to either migrate to Zocku or leave SocialGO before the cut-off date.
9. The Zocku Pricing Plan
Zocku will provide Owners of networks with mature content with a dedicated pricing package plus options.
Zocku Premium is a dedicated mature package that includes :
Supporting the Zocku Package are the following options:
10. How to Start Your Transfer
If you want to transfer your SocialGO network to Zocku all you have to do to get started is click here and register your interest. Once we have received your registration we will schedule your transfer and send you a few simple instructions to initiate the transfer. We will do everything from there, it could not be simpler.
Zocku Pricing & Features Table
http://www.zocku.com/zockupricing.pdf
Zocku.com will be a dedicated social networking platform and support team exclusively for Network Owners wanting to create social networks with mature content. Zocku.com will provide their network owners with:
- Dedicated pricing package
- Keep your design, data, users and media
- Dedicated US data centre
- Complete white labeling
- Dedicated owner’s community (http://owners.zocku.com)
- Premium help support system
- Unconditional money back guarantee
And for everyone that joins Zocku.com in February we will be giving you FREE until the end of April:
- Free member billing,
- Free extra bandwidth/storage,
1. If you are interested in using Zocku
Zocku will initially be available to Network Owners with existing SocialGO mature networks. Existing SocialGO networks that wish to use the Zocku platform will be seamlessly moved over by our technical team upon successful application and initial payment. Network Owners do not have to do anything else!
Network Owners who wish to become early adopters of Zocku.com can apply to transfer from SocialGO to Zocku by registering interest here. We will email you within 48 hours of your application to advise when your network can be transferred.
If your network address was mynetwork.socialgo.com, it will become mynetwork.zocku.com. But don’t worry, your old URL will redirect users for the next 3 months so you have time to let your members know.
All transfers from SocialGO to Zocku are expected to take place prior to 15 February 2009, after which SocialGO will no longer host networks with mature content that is of a sexual nature.
2. If you are not interested in using Zocku
By providing a dedicated environment for mature content at Zocku, SocialGO will soon no longer accept networks with mature content that is of a sexual nature after 15 February 2009. Existing SocialGO mature networks that do not wish to use the Zocku platform will have the option to purchase a full Database Export of their site content and membership data prior to a scheduled deactivation of any such network. Any deactivation of a network will only occur with reasonable notice and within a reasonable time period and never will a Network Owner be deprived of their data or content.
3. When will Zocku be open to new networks?
For the time being priority will be given to Network Owners that have already created quality mature networks on SocialGO and wish to transfer from SocialGO to Zocku. We are planning to open Zocku to new networks from 15 February 2009. In the meantime mature networks can continue to join SocialGO for FREE and then migrate over before 15 February 2009.
4. Will Zocku be fast and reliable?
Zocku will be a dedicated platform with its own totally dedicated hosting infrastructure in the USA, plus a premium support team. It will be exclusively for quality Owners of mature content networks that are interested in paying for a quality service. It will not be weighed down by network owners that are only interested in abusing the platform as free-loaders.
5. Can Network Owners be sure they’ll get quality service?
For your complete peace of mind we are offering an Unconditional Money Back Guarantee whereby any Network Owner that is not happy within the first month can get back everything they have paid to Zocku (excludes third party widgets) with no questions asked.
6. Why would you want to pay for Zocku?
Apart from providing a high quality service exclusively for Owners of networks with mature content, Zocku’s primary and future focus will be to develop a platform that helps Network Owners monetize their networks so they can create thriving and successful online businesses. We have many exciting monetization tools in the pipeline.
7. How can network owners monetize their networks?
Already many Network Owners are using Member Billing to generate considerable revenues from their network, for example many networks charge members small monthly fees that more than cover any running costs. To help all Network Owners monetize their networks we are giving away for FREE Member Billing until 30 April 2009 if you join Zocku in February. We have also made Run Your Own Advertising standard in the Zocku package, so you can monetize your networks even further through advertising.
8. What happens with SocialGO?
Going forward SocialGO will operate as a separate platform and for the time being remain in BETA. From 15 February 2009 SocialGO will soon no longer accept mature networks with content of a sexual nature. In the meantime mature networks can trial SocialGO, but please bear in mind you will have to either migrate to Zocku or leave SocialGO before the cut-off date.
9. The Zocku Pricing Plan
Zocku will provide Owners of networks with mature content with a dedicated pricing package plus options.
Zocku Premium is a dedicated mature package that includes :
- White labeling removes all references to Zocku (& SocialGO)
- Run your own URL so you have the option to call it what you want
- Run your own advertising so you can monetize your traffic
- Premium support so you get rapid quality help with any problem
- 7GB storage & 70GB bandwidth so you can build a big network (7GB max bandwidth for video chat)
- Plus loads of extra features, developer tools & more see details below
Supporting the Zocku Package are the following options:
- Member Billing allows you to charge your members a fee to access your network. Super powerful and easy to get setup. You can make the payment optional or required, regular or one-off - normally $19.99 monthly but FREE UNTIL APRIL 30 2009 (if you join in February)
- Storage and Bandwidth Blocks if your network is highly active - normally $9.99 monthly (per block of 5GB storage & 50 GB bandwidth) but FREE UNTIL APRIL 30 2009 (if you join in February)
10. How to Start Your Transfer
If you want to transfer your SocialGO network to Zocku all you have to do to get started is click here and register your interest. Once we have received your registration we will schedule your transfer and send you a few simple instructions to initiate the transfer. We will do everything from there, it could not be simpler.
Zocku Pricing & Features Table
http://www.zocku.com/zockupricing.pdf
Click here to sign up now.
23 Comments
all the above about the smooth switch over to zocku sounds great but so did the great promises that socialgo made about award winning tech support (yeah right) what I want to know is in this to good to be true transition, when all the content of my site is transferred are all the bugs and non working features of socialgo coming with it? the baboon third party tech support team at socialgo who will maybe answer your complaint in a week or two only to tell you the problem is on your computer or browser when the problem is happening to EVERY member on the site NOT just me! That is what I expect from a FREE network but now you want to charge for service, if that's the kind of service that will come with this switch over NO THANKS! So as I know ZOCKU is nothing more than a spin off / partner site of SocialGo I want to know the existing problems will be fixed and fixed in a timely maner not whenever the tech decides they feel like coming to work! My "people on line" and "chat/IM" features have been in a non working state now going two weeks with NO help from tech what so ever!!! If that is going to be the kind of service withZOCKU and I have to pay for it I'd rather just shut the site down and start a new one elsewhere!!! SO WHAT CAN I EXPECT THAT'S BETTER FOR THE MONEY???
If you guys can put my mind at ease about one thing...
"If your network address was mynetwork.socialgo.com, it will become mynetwork.zocku.com. But don’t worry, your old URL will redirect users for the next 3 months so you have time to let your members know."
Now what happens when the 3 month redirect is done.. the site on SocialGo gets deleted... Do new users get the chance to open up a SocialGo network with the name I used? As I said before, my community isn't all adult, and someone could easily make a G network with the same fan base. Will they be able to use the name I already registered once it's no longer with SocialGo?
FYI, sent my payment for Zocku today.
Sounds great so far, still looking for the downsides, I guess.
I currently run a free site, but have informed my members that after the switch it will be a pay site. I want to offer them a discount for being members before the change.
My questions are:
1. How would the billing work if they are already members? Would they get charged the first time they log in or is will they be signing up again with previous information already populated?
2. Will I be able to offer discounts like mentioned above or by discount code?
3. What will be the estimated downtime between sites as far as the site being available to customize?
Also, I have concerns over the Paypal option for accepting payments. I understand that you are offering free billing while you look for other solutions, but will there be any reimbursements if I make this investment and Paypal boots me out in month 2 (i understand the 1 mo guarantee?)
Don't worry Dokun, the dedicated Zocku support team are top notch!
Tom
Hey Thanks Stivi!!
Looking forward to move over...
If you guys provide us at Zocku the same Excellent costumer service as on SoGo there will be no need for the money back thing....
Dokun ;)
PS Dockum,
If you want to read the Zocku terms, just read your current SocialGO terms, they are identical, except you and your users must be over 18 for Zocku.
Stivi
Hi Dokun,
We are looking at other payment providers, plus loads of other cool monetization tools.
Your contract with Zocku is month on month, so provided you cancel before the end of a month cycle you don't pay the following month.
Don't forget we have a money back guarantee too, so if in the first month you are noty happy and still want to leave you can get all your money back no questions asked. You can't lose by trying.
Stivi
@Masterjc86
Stivi is right - Zocku isn't just a hosting offering. It includes a social networking platform plus hosting. Granted the platforms still needs some tweaking and lacks some features, but overall it is well rounded.
Now, when you say you own your own servers and know about bandwidth costs. I believe you. However, I also believe that you are comparing apples to oranges here, i.e. running a server out of basement isn't the same as a highly available, secure and scalable setup (I assume that's what SG uses). IMO SG price is fair and shows that they put some thought into the service offering. The one thing I might want to see is some kind of SLA that comes with the offer.
That's just my 2 cents and btw I don't work for SG.
Thanks Alex for your fast respond,
If i understand it well Zocku is operating under UK law and i as a site owner does not have anything to do with the US law (and i dont mean my content but the site), there will be more ways then Paypal for me to receive the members fees.. ( as you know the Paypal option for Zocku site owners is easy to sabotage by haters..)
Will those other payment options be in the 19,95 package?
Can you please answer this: If i dont want to use Zocku anymore what how many days do i have to cancel it, so that i dont have to pay the monthly fees anymore? in other words: Can i end my contract with Zocku within 1 month?
I would rather read the Zocku terms before i move over to Zocku.. Its not so nice to have those not available when you want us to move over, i really wanna read them before i move over to Zocku.. ( I'm Dutch LOL! )
Thanks again,
Dokun :)
HI Dokun,
Wow, quite a few questions here! The contractual relationship between you guys and us is bound by UK law. The servers have been setup in the US at the moment from a cost and quality of service considerations and our ability to scale them quickly.
Both SocialGO and Zocku will have the same release dates for the Layout Manager and the features will be the same for the moment.
The Zocku terms are being updated at the moment and will be online shortly before that service launches.
The monetization features on the Zocku networks are provided as they currently are on SocialGO at the moment. But with the launch of the layout manager and widget store there will be new ways to collect monies from members. The layout manager launch will come after the launch of Zocku (but not by too long!).
Cheers
Alex