[UnitedSolutionsATL]

I am in the very early stages of putting together the peices of a new Social Networking site similiar to a facebook or myspace while targeting a specific market. I have the idea/concept, marketing knowledge etc. but do not posess the necessary skill on the devlopment end. I have seen a couple of companies out there that provide the development service and the software but i am not sure if it makes sense to spend $15-$30K up front to do this. My other challenge is, im not sure from a development standpoint, how involved or costly that process will be in the end. I need to sit down with someone who is somewhat familiar with these types of applications to go through some particulars and understand what it is exactly that i am asking for. Any reccomendations on how to start this research phase of my project for site development?? My ideal situation would be to contact a company like facebook give them the idea and concept and have them design it for me (after an NDA of course). But it appears that facebook does not take on new ideas but they like to purchase the company after it has a proven track record. Any insight of help is appreciated.

[Andremen]

go to socialgo.com and tell me what you think about them and if this make your dreams come true.
good luck.

[ethansmith]

There are plenty of "out-of-the-box" social networking scripts that may solve your issues. If you were to use one of these and hire a developer to customize it, you would definitely save a considerable amount of money. Just make sure that your idea for a website will fill an adequate need - and that the people you are targeting are not already taking advantage of another network to accomplish the same results that you hope to accomplish.

Remember that running social networking site is difficult work - and that you really aren't a powerhouse until you start to break millions of pageviews a day. I am not trying to throw a damper on things - just looking at things realistically here and trying to help you solidify your ideas.

Otherwise, best of luck!

[Future of Edu]

My ideal situation would be to contact a company like facebook give them the idea and concept and have them design it for me (after an NDA of course). But it appears that facebook does not take on new ideas but they like to purchase the company after it has a proven track record. Any insight of help is appreciated.

I don't believe you will get this to happen.

What you really should do is treat it as you would any other start up. Get your thought process down, get a business plan created, and get a pitch ready to sell your idea. Either sell to an investor for help or sell to someone else.

Once you have your thought process written infront of you, it makes it much easier to do research and find out who you need to contact for issues like design.

Best of luck,

Enjoy Life,
Nick

[ChrisBenjamin]

Crowded space, there's a million new social networking ideas/startups out there.

[humbusli]

Originally Posted by Andremen

go to socialgo.com and tell me what you think about them and if this make your dreams come true.
good luck.

Out of the many posts, this one attract my attention. I believe it is possible for anyone to participate.
Excellent ! I like it very much.

[entrepreneurrebel]

Another social networking website. Now I don't know what your website idea's market is but before you start make sure it is a niche because that is where new growth of social networking websites are.

[cookiecrane]

Try to hire a web programmer and have some advice too. Don't you know that myyearbook.com started with two young people (bro and sis). They started it since they are in high school and now there are millions of users online.

__________________

How To Make A Website
FirmMonster.Com

[ucavik]

i really feel there are any opportunities left in the social network sites, if you will start it you will get flooded by spammers.. and have you really studied the financial angle of this site? what are revenue generation methods have you thought of?

[Ganggas]

Let us see what you are attempting to market. Hopefully the site will be something which is surprisingly innovative and intuitive. If not, well, then you will be competing with tons and tons of sites.

[ipwatchdog]

My ideal situation would be to contact a company like facebook give them the idea and concept and have them design it for me (after an NDA of course). But it appears that facebook does not take on new ideas but they like to purchase the company after it has a proven track record.

Almost no companies will pay for an idea, and getting a company to sign a confidentiality agreement is pretty close to impossible. They company has no liability if they do not sign a confidentiality agreement, and the signing of a confidentiality agreement imposes legal burdens on them that they did not already have.

Most reputable companies do not accept idea submissions, and in fact require a patent application to be filed prior to even listening. This is because when you file a patent application you define your invention, and more importantly you identify what your invention is not. If it is not disclosed in the patent application it is not a part of your invention. Thus, most reputable and mature companies require a patent application be filed so that they are protected themselves.

The further down the development and business cycle you go the more value there is. A patent application is a good start, but who knows if it will issue. An issued patent is much more valuable. Having a business in place is valuable, but not as valuable as having a business in place that already has sales and is showing growth.

If you get get it off the ground and build a business appropriately, get proprietary protections in place (i.e., patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets) and the site is growing and attracting people and showing possibility (at least) of revenues you can maybe get funding and continue. It is not easy, but there is a recipe for success that can be followed, assuming of course you have hit upon a market niche/need.

Best of luck.

-Gene

[ixod]

There is a lot of social networking site like facebook and if you want to get idea you can ask expert that will provide you a good information. there is a lot of free software or application on which you can build social networking site. there is socialgo, ning and xing site.

[Maxewhite]

Since you are still starting in the process, putting up a website at this moment can be dangerous. By beginning your research, you should expand your contacts by finding reliable sources who are knowledgeable about the consequences and benefits of a social networking website as well as online experts who can help you find your target audience, additional interesting features and unique opening breakthroughs for a new website.

Good luck!

[ixod]

they are right there is a lot of social networking site other than facebook and twitter. there is a list of social networking site based on your talents, industry, category and even a regional place