[hockey97]

Hi I need some advice. I want to start a website. somthing like myspace. but more intense mainly for gamers.

I am looking around I am a programmer myself I know php and I am certified in html and also a computer technician.

I seek a cheap price for a dedicated line. How much would you think it would cost.

And how much bandwith.

[DPayne]

I know absolutely nothing about this stuff. However, as with any successful business, you'll need to write out a business plan. Include all aspects of the plan and most importantly, be honest and realistic with your abilities and projections.

Best of luck in your new venture!

[OneStepAhead]

Originally Posted by DPayne

I know absolutely nothing about this stuff. However, as with any successful business, you'll need to write out a business plan. Include all aspects of the plan and most importantly, be honest and realistic with your abilities and projections.

Best of luck in your new venture!

Agreed, seems like you're jumping the gun on this one. Have you done any research regarding your target market or anything of that matter?

[hockey97]

well I have talk to some of my friends about the stuff I will intergrade and they said they would switch in a heart beat alot of people hate myspace but go on it and use it becuse they don't know of any other website that let's you customize your layout. I also plan to make games for this website.
The main target for this is mainly gamers from teens and above.

I plan to use this to fund my other projects.

I have a gut feeling it may work. I am just going with it too see if it will work.

the most I will lose is 24 bucks that's mainly it just for the domain name for 2 years.

I have my own server and I already have it up and running just working on the website now.

can you explain what you mean by targetting my market?

[edwardhalim]

It means, have you done any research about your target audience. I think you said "teens and above gamers." So have you done any research regarding "teens and above gamers?"

-Ed

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Originally Posted by edwardhalim

It means, have you done any research about your target audience. I think you said "teens and above gamers." So have you done any research regarding "teens and above gamers?"

-Ed

And to specify a bit more, "targeting your audience" generally refers to the specific identification of and tailoring of your product to your intended group/groups of customers.

[hockey97]

well I am a gamer for a long time. I also was a teen. I also ask other people at college and also on myspace that are somewhat close to me. And I told them some of my plans and they were excited and said that if I really got that made they would switch from myspace.com to my site.

If that's what you may call research then yes I did. But if you mean looking at the stats on what teens like from some professional based on a study or they let a bunch of teens vote then no I didn't do the research in that way.

The main target of the website is mainly gamers. I plan to make free games that they can download, it will be an ap that would connect to my server to play with others while their will be more ads in the online game.

The most I could lose would be 24 bucks. and I would have 2 years to get it up and running.

my main questions was do you know any cheap internet dedicated lines. For bandwith. So if the traffice starts picking up I can then decide to switch the internet line smoothly.

[neemtree]

As the original poster has pointed out, this is a low cost/barrier entry into what has proved* to be lucrative space.

*building niche/hobby communities has really paid off.

Less emphasis on a business plan, more emphasis on your website's requirements. _What_ are you building?

Create a list of functionality you want (free registrations, free blogs, paid subscriptions, paid XYZ feature, etc.). Create a sitemap/information architecture. And create wireframes for key pages.

Then start thinking about _how_ to build it.

[zoobie]

Originally Posted by DPayne

I know absolutely nothing about this stuff. However, as with any successful business, you'll need to write out a business plan. Include all aspects of the plan and most importantly, be honest and realistic with your abilities and projections.

Best of luck in your new venture!

Yes. So you should finalize your plan and that's the time you hire a programmer. Good luck!

[GriZzly]

If you ever find yourself answering the question 'Have you carried out any market research?' with the answer 'Well my friends said...' that is when you know you have not actually carried out any research.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people actually believe that a small group of friends could ever be a representative sample of ANY market. Also remember that they are likely to be your friends because you share similar interests, therefore you are simply bouncing an idea off a mirror.

Scout some forums, hell grab a clipboard and go into your town centre and ASK, ask everyone...! Ask as many people as will tolerate you!

[ADVERTISE HERE!]

Originally Posted by GriZzly

If you ever find yourself answering the question 'Have you carried out any market research?' with the answer 'Well my friends said...' that is when you know you have not actually carried out any research.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people actually believe that a small group of friends could ever be a representative sample of ANY market. Also remember that they are likely to be your friends because you share similar interests, therefore you are simply bouncing an idea off a mirror.

Scout some forums, hell grab a clipboard and go into your town centre and ASK, ask everyone...! Ask as many people as will tolerate you!

Market Research

With effective market research, you can determine the need for your service, a product's likelihood to sell, target-market demographics, and desirable store locations. There are numerous ways to uncover this information -- from online research to focus groups to counting customers. To help you meet your target market's needs, we've put together a collection of our best market-research articles and resources.

Market Research, Writing a Business Plan Article - Inc. Article