Consumer/Social Networking startup

Ross Andrews
Creative Director at Unnamed

02 July 2007 23:09pm

Hi, I realise I'm about to ask an extremely vague set of questions, and I apologise for that, but I'm looking to get a better idea about a couple of things and this seems a great place to ask...

We're in the process of fleshing out ideas for an ecommerce/social networking site. The best explanation would be a mashup of Myspace/Facebook with elements of the Amazon review system and local what's on guides targeted at a particular niche.

I myself am from a design background, so we have the aesthetics all sewn up, but we're going to need somebody to build this thing.

It's a tall order, and gearing towards an enterprise level build, but on a very tight budget. I'm also starting to think we're looking at bespoke code rather than anything off the shelf.

What I need to find out, and I'm hoping members here might be able to help, is:

1. How much, in the broadest terms based on the very rough spec I've outlined here, should we be expecting to spend on this developement? I realise it may well be "how long is a piece of string" but any kind of guideline figures would be great!

2. Where do I start looking for the best people to make this happen?

Any help that any of you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
McBear
dan barker
E-Business Consultant at Dan Barker

03 July 2007 10:12am

hi, how are you?
There's a good list of 'white label social networking platforms' here that you may be able to build on:
http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2007/02/12/list-of-white-label-social-networking-platforms/
Established developers in this sphere have very high rates at the moment (as you can imagine), so - if budget is an issue - you may be best off building on something existing, or hiring developers from other areas.
I wanted to ask about the line 'myspace/facebook with elements of the Amazon review system'. As facebook have opened up their 'platform' to 3rd party development, this would all be possible within their system. Depending on what your plans are, it may be simplest/most profitable to develop an application directly for that?
daniel
Philip Wilkinson
Angel Investor / Entrepreneur at Misc.

03 July 2007 13:10pm

Or give up and just use Crowdstorm.com :-)
Rob Galley
Operations and Development Director at Objective Computing

03 July 2007 13:39pm

Hi

You suggest a tight budget.....do you have a budget in mind?

Cheers

Rob
Ross Andrews
Creative Director at Unnamed

04 July 2007 00:08am

Hi,
Thanks for all the constructive help so far, I'm working my way through the list of white label social networking platforms as i write this, trying to get my head around them - it's an option I hadn't really considered.

As for budget, it's really just a case of getting a very rough idea at the moment before we set the plan in stone. As we see it, a couple of grand would be too little to realistically get what we're looking for, but £20k would be too much to venture from day one. One of the big questions is how much we need to commit to get the killer features implemented if the ideal scenario of a feature complete setup is impossible without sacrificing quality and scalability. Hope that makes sense!

Thanks again for your help.
McBear
Lawrence L
Freelance Web Consultant at architxt.net

06 July 2007 10:30am

If you're going to hire a developer to build any kind of killer functionality you should be prepared to hire him/her on a long term basis.

Perhaps your best option is to work with someone abroad. There a pros and cons for this but it is a cheaper option.

If I was in your position I would think of offering a developer partnership. Someone senior who can offer strategic advice as well as do the work. Someone long term.
Maxine Duncan
Online Manager at HSA

09 July 2007 11:50am

Hi
I am interested in hearing a little more about your idea. I am keen to find a partner to work on a similar venture myself. Would you be able to email me so we can discuss

Maxine

On 00:08:45 4 July 2007 Mcbear wrote:
>Hi,
>Thanks for all the constructive help so far, I'm working
>my way through the list of white label social networking
>platforms as i write this, trying to get my head around
>them - it's an option I hadn't really considered.
>
>As for budget, it's really just a case of getting a very
>rough idea at the moment before we set the plan in stone.
>As we see it, a couple of grand would be too little to
>realistically get what we're looking for, but £20k
>would be too much to venture from day one. One of the big
>questions is how much we need to commit to get the killer
>features implemented if the ideal scenario of a feature
>complete setup is impossible without sacrificing quality
>and scalability. Hope that makes sense!
>
>Thanks again for your help.
>McBear
David Bowler
Incisive Sports

13 August 2007 13:01pm

Hi,

I'm sure this one is wrapped up by now but 2020 Media (www.2020media.tv) might be able to assist and provide a bespoke social networking platform for you somewhere between these costs with the functionality you are looking for. let me know if you want to chat?

Cheers,

David ()

On 00:08:45 4 July 2007 Mcbear wrote:
>Hi,
>Thanks for all the constructive help so far, I'm working
>my way through the list of white label social networking
>platforms as i write this, trying to get my head around
>them - it's an option I hadn't really considered.
>
>As for budget, it's really just a case of getting a very
>rough idea at the moment before we set the plan in stone.
>As we see it, a couple of grand would be too little to
>realistically get what we're looking for, but £20k
>would be too much to venture from day one. One of the big
>questions is how much we need to commit to get the killer
>features implemented if the ideal scenario of a feature
>complete setup is impossible without sacrificing quality
>and scalability. Hope that makes sense!
>
>Thanks again for your help.
>McBear