XING is a business networking site like LinkedIn. Xing has more users in Europe as compared to rest of the world. If you want to build contacts with European businesses, Xing is the best gateway.

The site offers almost all the facilities that LinkedIn offers; just that the process flow, the terminologies and the navigation in Xing.com are different than LinkedIn. Basic membership of Xing.com is free. But many core functions, like searching for people with specific qualifications or direct emailing to Xing members can only be accessed by the premium members.

Premium membership comes at a monthly fee of €5. Unlike many other networking websites, XING provides its paid members very easy email access to any members. Member searching tool of Xing is very powerful and unique.

XING competes with the LinkedIn and Viadeo in online business networking industry. I am using Xing.com since 2006 and have extablished good contacts in Europe through Xing; and have got handsome business too. I like Xing more than LinkedIn and I highly recommand the blog readers to try out Xing.