Virb
 | |
| Type of business | Private |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Founded | [Los Angeles, California |
| Headquarters | 6060 Center Drive, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90045 |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Founder(s) | Brad Smith |
| Key people | Brad Smith (chairman and CEO) |
| Parent | Media Temple |
| URL | www.virb.com |
| Registration | Required |
| Launched | 9 March 2007 |
| Current status | Active |
Virb is a website owned by Media Temple that lets individuals and businesses create their own websites. Users add web content using simple tools and then customize the design of their site using built-in options or with CSS and HTML. They can also connect to networking websites such as Twitter.
History
After the launch of PureVolume in 2003, Unborn Media attempted to mimic the website's success by launching Virb, where PureVolume focused primarily on music, Virb would focus on more social features. Virb was launched, as an invite-only beta form in 2006, and was publicly launched in March 2007.[2] Virb was highly praised in 2007 by the Houston Press for its unique design, customisation, and innovative features, such as iTunes integration.[3] Virb was widely heralded as the possible successor to MySpace, due to the site's similar layout and functionality.[citation needed] Virb failed to attract a wider audience, and by the end of 2007, Facebook passed both Virb and MySpace in terms of monthly active users.[4] In early 2008, Virb was listed as one of the biggest technology disappointments of 2007 by PC Advisor, among other websites, due to its focus on social networking basics, and lack of innovative features.[5]
The web hosting company Media Temple purchased it in June 2008, despite its failure,[4] and in August 2010 relaunched as a do-it-yourself website builder.[6] Smith stated that the "core desire wasn't ever to build and run a social network. [They] wanted to build this really cool niche area for the people MySpace didn't really work for."[4] In July 2012, Virb announced that it had officially joined the Media Temple family of products, promising new features, more dedicated customer support, and better system monitoring.[7]
References
- ^ "Virb.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ Lowensohn, Josh (10 March 2007). "Virb: pretty, but not ready for prime time". CNET.com. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- ^ Elmwood, John (12 July 2007). "Move Over, MySpace". Houston Press. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Pompeo, Joe (2 July 2010). "Virb.com, The MySpace Killer That Wasn't, Has A New Plan". Business Insider. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- ^ Tynan, Dan (4 January 2008). "2007's 13 biggest technology flops". PC Advisor. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- ^ Kinkaid, Jason (16 August 2010). "Re-Virb: Social Network Relaunches, Hopes To Become 'Tumblr For Entire Websites'". TechCrunch.
- ^ "Media Temple and Virb Announce Expanded Partnership to Provide Customers with Comprehensive Site Building, Hosting, and Domain Services". MarketWatch. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.