Cif2.net
Cif2.net is a free online website builder, web hosting platform and CMS (Content Management System). It has live drag and drop interfaces and WYSIWYG editors with multiple levels of experience, so that it can be used by both non-technical and technical users. The Beta version was launched in October 2010
It competes with Yola (formerly Synthasite), Webs, uCoz, Wix, and other web hosting and creation sites. Devhub, another such startup, has gaming elements built into it, similar to cif2.net. What makes this website builder stand out is the fact that it is the first to automate monitoring, SEO and bring Push Notifications to user's websites.
Features
The accounts for the basic users are free and work on a Coins system, simillar to Zynga games and other social games. Users get coins by performing different tasks that will help them improve their websites. Then, with the coins they get, users can buy new Apps and Upgrades. The website builder incentivizes users to improve.
The system notifies users when they have not posted for a week and why constant posting is important for search engines and visitors.
Users can switch to their custom domains for free, and it gives users the possibility to include CSS/HTML to the created web pages.
Businesses are charged for hosting space, company emails and premium Apps.
The websites created with this platform are social, meaning that they are connected with one another and users can follow other websites from the community
SmartSites
Automated features which perform SEO, automatic monitoring and push notifications are the reason why websites built on this platform are referred to as smartsites
The idea of smartsites is currently under development
Growth
Cif2.net is a web Startup which ranks 73.000 on Alexa Global. The team behind it has started presenting their IDeaS at events such as a TED Meet event in Cluj-Napoca, where they presented their view on Smart Websites for the first time and Venture Connect.
They've announced on their Twitter feed that they reached 20000 users. Recently they have started a contest to get more attention as a first marketing effort
Some of the users of the platform have shown their opinions regarding the platform publicly on a Social Network that helps angel investors get in touch with startups