[Guzzo]

What has everyone used to build their social network site? I'm currently considering phpfox, and a combination of dreamweaver. Anyone else have any experience with another program? I'm looking for something powerful and that will let me do pretty much anything i want to it.

[MpyreDzirez]

Hi Guzzo,
I used Phpizabi in the past to build a site called "TheNewMommy.com. It had all the features of myspace and a little bit more. Best of all the script is free. It was a little hard to customize though.

Now I use Joomla to build my own social networking sites from almost scratch. With Joomla you can install a plug-in called "Community Builder" and it gives you a base social networking platform. Then there are a bunch of add-ons to CB that make it even better.

With Joomla I have created a site that has:
Live Chat
Forum
Online Store
Video Library
Audio Library
Downloads Section
Member Blogs
Member Profiles
Internal Private Messaging
Rating and Reviews For All Content
Paid Subscription Business Model
Affiliate Program
and Marketplace (Member Classifieds)

All of this was on one site @ JuggernautClub.com it took me about a week to setup and I got all the extensions I needed for it for less then $100.

I hope this helps...

[Guzzo]

Great info, gonna check it out!

[radreality]

I actually personally own a social networking site that I started about 5 years ago. I have neglected it since my focus has been on other things for a while now. The site is scripted in php. It needs some updating on it (since I don't know any programming, and I haven't felt like putting any money into it). It has over 4700 registered users, with over 3200 profiles; which is really small compared to other sites, but it still slowly grows without any current marketing. I have been thinking about getting rid of it for some time now. I would be interested in selling it for the right price since you could probably do more with it than I could. Send me a pm for more information (like the url) and any questions you may have. Even if you didn't use the coding on the site, the member profiles would be a nice way to start your database of members.

______________________________
Robert Falk
Business Developer / Investor
Self Help & Success Forum

[MpyreDzirez]

Oh yeah and there is www.ning.com which is a social networking site that lets you build social networking sites with their website. I highly suggest starters check this out

Justin

[Guzzo]

My idea not only involves a social network idea, but a much more powerful community which will incorporate many different features down the road. Are these types of software capable of handing really complex sites, or are they mostly just giving you the bones to run a basic social network site. The scary answer is that i'll just have to find some good programmer friends and build a system from the ground up.

[MpyreDzirez]

Joomla is capable of handling very scalable websites, I cannot vouch for PhpIzabi though as I didn't use it long enough.

Ning.com is definitely for the smaller guys.

Who said you can't start off with a small, free, solution and until you actually see growth. Unless you have loads of capital or a venture capital buddy, you need to save as much time and money as you can...Right?

Just my $0.02...I'm a Ready, Fire, Aim kind of guy rather then a Ready, Aim, Fire.

[Guzzo]

I guess what i need is a fairly powerful script/software that i can start off with. Have a professional site and continue to expand over time.

Thanks for the replies, all of this has been very informative.

[pbradish]

I've run into a similar situation. As ePursuit.net gets closer and closer to the actual release - I'd like to include a social networking area for those of us in the industry.

I'm hesitant to touch Joomla Community Builder because the site itself wasn't created with the Joomla CMS. PHPizabi looks interesting, it may be time to start researching.

[Guzzo]

Anyone have any other suggestions? I'm still researching these different softwares suggested. I want something that will look professional, and can be upgraded in the future.

[extremist]

Drupal is a great way to build social networking sites. Make sure that you have a viable business model in mind also.