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The Do's & Don'ts For Starting a Social Network Website...

by Dave Jones
5 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
I'm considering starting a social network website for local business owners - charging a minimal monthly membership fee. Membership privileges will include the usual photos, videos, blogs, forums, etc.

In doing a Google search I ran up on socialgo... a social network maker company. They seem to be expensive when you start to add on additional features.

I would appreciate any advise that you may have to offer for as bandwidth needed, website development cost, or any other important start up issues to consider.
#donts #network #social #starting #website
  • Profile picture of the author robmena
    Best one I have seen and used/put one up myself awhile back is called SocialEngine PHP Social Network Script - Create your own social media community!, its a great price for all the work they put into it and it works great and easy to setup. And you dont need to put there logo or link to them. Its Great, I think. Think about putting some SEO into it thats why mine never took off not enough people to use it. You should really think about giving most of it for free at the start then make money off extra things like allowing them to post ads etc...I can help on the SEO if need be. Paid stuff never works out cause they have other options for free. Build it up with free users at the start, then add value for extras.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Jones
      Robmena - Thanks for the reply and advice. I ONLY want to target business owners in a particular state. The website is just a way that I will be able to identify clients in a local market. Taking your advice of letting them join for free is going to give me a good base to start off with.

      1. Are you familiar with any service other than Socialgo that sells a database list of names that I could import into the site just for start up appearance?

      2. Can you give a link to your site for me to preview?

      Thanks again,
      dJ
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  • Profile picture of the author LADWebDesign
    You can use Reference USA - here at ReferenceUSA and obtain a list of business owners in your state.

    For a social networking site, I like Boonex's Dolphin at BoonEx - Community Software Experts

    Linda
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    • Profile picture of the author robmena
      1. Sorry Im not familiar with that SocialGo.

      2. I dont have the site up anymore, but it was starting up kinda nice, I got all my employees on at work, but I needed a better kick to start it up, it wont be easy, my guess would be some SEO or ads etc etc. let me know if I can help out with the SEO.
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  • Profile picture of the author JonMills
    Starting a social network might sound like a good idea but lets face it with forums, guestbooks in their day and other umpteen ( grab people ideas ) unless you really know what people want and unless you do something different. People will stick with what has always worked for them. i.e facebook, twitter, linkedin etc etc..

    The idea of build it and they will come is just a nobs game unless you are doing something different

    Unless there is something in it for them.. most people just dont have room for another social network to check.
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