[sainathkm]

Starting an Online Photo sharing Site :: Need guidelines

I am planning to start an online site. This is is going to be for photo/video sharing with completely fresh idea. The question now i have here is regarding the initial setup cost and other expense which i need to expect for my venture.

Please note that i am planning to setup my own server and other requirement by myself instead of depending on any third party hosting sites.

Also please suggest what all do i need to take care and account for before in go with my dream online project.

Would be helpful if people can guide me regarding this from their personal experience and know how.

[krasalexander]

Hello! I can help you to plan and develop your dream online project. But I need more information about it.
You are wellcome to PM me or write on krasalexander@gmail.com

Best regards,Alexander.

[bizdev]

Are you designing/creating your own website too? That will be the biggest expense. You will need to register your business which is very inexpensive. Will you require a merchant account to accept credit cards or will you be using only PayPal? It can be costly to set up a merchant account.

Have you figured your monthly expenses and your monthly income?

[krasalexander]

I think he can use Google Checkout too..

[krasalexander]

I think I can help you to develop your project for "good" price)

[sainathkm]

To make the things bit more clear,

I would be personally involved in coding and designing the site. Also have already registered my domain name.

I know that the major amount of money goes in the infrastructure setup like server, office space, networking and other miscellaneous expenses. I want someone to guide me through these. May be help me to figure out all these expense.

[bizdev]

Registering the business is not the same as registering the domain name. Are you in the U.S.? If so, you need to register the business with your local county offices and state. Depending on what you are selling or collecting payment for, you may need to set up with the state to charge and pay sales tax.

You're looking for office space? You're jumping in all the way immediately? That's very risky. Have you written your business plan to see if you will be able to meet your monthly expenses? Rent will be costly. Add utilities and permits and taxes and insurance and you've got an expensive endeavor on your hands.

[Moxie Maxwell]

Outside of my employer I have been working on a custom Business Social Networking site with video/file sharing, and we have been working on it for 2 years, and don't plan on making it live until early 2010.

Now having said that, you can go very big or start out small. Here are some questions that I have for you so we can better help you with your descision making.

1. Are you starting with a VPS or Dedicated Server? Have you selected a Data Center Yet?
2. Have you nailed down a budget yet?
3. Are you using a script and then modifying it to meet your specific needs?
4. Have you found a Brand Name you wanted to use?
5. Have you decided on how you plan to market, via other Social Network sites, forums, blogs, paid advertising.

This is a good list for us to help you with after you post your answers, and then we can go from there.

[CIsaac]

You will also want to work on learning the startup expenses--what it will take to get the site up. You should be able to find that out by forming a list of what you will need to get to make your product (in this case your website). By doing this you will also figure out paypal vs. merchant services and what costs. You will need a separate business account that will filter money from either venue into a business not personal account.

Will you be designing/programming the site yourself? Have you started the business plan yet?

[sainathkm]

Originally Posted by CIsaac

You will also want to work on learning the startup expenses--what it will take to get the site up. You should be able to find that out by forming a list of what you will need to get to make your product (in this case your website). By doing this you will also figure out paypal vs. merchant services and what costs. You will need a separate business account that will filter money from either venue into a business not personal account.

Will you be designing/programming the site yourself? Have you started the business plan yet?

Yes CIsaac, i have started with my Business plan.. Also currently spending my time on research on available competitors in the market and all the details which i need to take care for my startup.

[sainathkm]

Originally Posted by Moxie Maxwell

Outside of my employer I have been working on a custom Business Social Networking site with video/file sharing, and we have been working on it for 2 years, and don't plan on making it live until early 2010.

Now having said that, you can go very big or start out small. Here are some questions that I have for you so we can better help you with your descision making.

1. Are you starting with a VPS or Dedicated Server? Have you selected a Data Center Yet?
2. Have you nailed down a budget yet?
3. Are you using a script and then modifying it to meet your specific needs?
4. Have you found a Brand Name you wanted to use?
5. Have you decided on how you plan to market, via other Social Network sites, forums, blogs, paid advertising.

This is a good list for us to help you with after you post your answers, and then we can go from there.

Thanks Moxie Maxwell for ur questions.. Here are my answers for this.
1. Currently we are planning for dedicated server. But only will be decided once we are done with our initial budgeting. Would be good if you can help me in understanding the cost factor attached to this option.
2. Nope, We are still to reach that stage of deciding the budget.
3. If this question is regarding the site development.. No we are plannning to build the app from scratch.
4. Yes. Almost close to finalizing that.
5. I think our venture is in very early stage to decide that.

Please note that we are still at the early stage of our start-up, which is "Ideation". So the next step in front of me business planning and project realization...

[bluemelon]

I am the owner of BlueMelon Photo Sharing, please contact me if you are interested in exchanging some information.