12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What's the best social network software?

by Carlton Johnson
10 replies
Hi all,

I am in the process of creating, what is planned to be a reasonable sized social network (over 100,000 members in the next couple of years).

I am looking for the best software to do the job. I currently have a license for the latest vbulletin suite; which is a fantastic forum software with some great social network type add ons, however; I am not sure it can be classed as a fantastic social network software.

The following are recommendations I have already seen else where online.

PHPFOX, ELGG, Social Engine,

I really want to get this right from the outset. Because I am not that technical I want to make sure that whatever software I start off using is the one that will probably last me for many years to come, because it is probably going to take me hundreds of man hours to learn it inside out so I don't want to have to learn a different one in the near future.

If possible, I would also appreciate people pointing me in the direction of social networks that use the software they suggest.

Many Thanks
#network #social #software
  • Profile picture of the author AFI
    I would suggest going to hotscripts.com and searching for "social network script" on their site and many options will come up.
    Signature

    Learn about Internet Marketing from my dofollow comment blog.....Make Extra Money At Home...
    I WILL BUILD YOU YOUR OWN CUSTOM AMAZON REVIEW SITE - HUNDREDS SOLD!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2930791].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Maggs
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2930802].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Carlton Johnson
      Originally Posted by AFI View Post

      I would suggest going to hotscripts.com and searching for "social network script" on their site and many options will come up.
      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks, but this is not the way I want to go. I need to be confident that the script is very robust and has been used by 1000's of others and that I can get some support setting it up and with any ongoing problems.

      My experience tells me that buying a popular software package for what I want to do is a much safer bet. If I was a programmer or software developer myself then the route you suggested might fit me. But since I am not, I need to make sure the support and the reliability and robustness is already tried and tested by others.


      Originally Posted by moonfish View Post

      Do you mean a forum or a social network? If it's a social network then there are many free clones of sites like Facebook which you could pay a developer to mod. Just do a search for facebook, bebo, myspace clones etc and you'll get some ideas.

      Hi moonfish,

      It is a social network, with a forum on the back-end. Again for the same reasons I just gave to Jennifer, I much prefer to by software from a reputable company already tried and tested by others.

      Thanks for the input so far. Please keep them coming.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2930950].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author invitetheweb
    I like both Social Engine and Sharetronix. Both are highly customizable and Sharetorinix is free and open-source. Good luck =)
    Signature
    Free SEO Friendly Link Directory | Free Internet Marketing tricks and How-To's | Guest Bloggers Get Links Back I Need You!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2930972].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Carlton Johnson
      Originally Posted by invitetheweb View Post

      I like both Social Engine and Sharetronix. Both are highly customizable and Sharetorinix is free and open-source. Good luck =)

      Thanks for that invitetheweb,

      I will have a look a sharetorinx.

      As it stands at the moment I am leaning towards PHPFOX simply because even though I liked what social engine does it appears that I would have to spend a least another couple of hundred dollars on plugins on top of the standard price to get the functionality of what I want.

      phpfox seems to be much more functional out of the box. But as I say I am still researching if anyone feels different, please let me know.

      Thanks
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2931380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Doug Slaton
    Have you looked at Ning? Ning | Create your own Custom Social Network.

    Might hit the spot for you or perhaps not.
    Signature
    My New PLR WSO: Energy Niche - Sales Page | Squeeze Page | Ebook | Articles | Emails | Keywords ...*Full Turn-Key Package Unlimited Rights!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2932328].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Carlton Johnson
      Originally Posted by Doug Slaton View Post

      Have you looked at Ning? Ning | Create your own Custom Social Network.

      Might hit the spot for you or perhaps not.
      Hi Doug,

      I have heard of Ning but I have not explored it. It just wasn't coming up enough in recommendations for me to spend time looking into it.

      In the end I decided to go with phpfox. It seemed to fit my specifications and needs. After about 5 hours of playing with it yesterday I am glad I did go with it. It's still early days, but it seems to be a fantastic piece of software that is quite expandable.

      I love it so far.

      Thanks everyone for the input.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2940739].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ethan Ooi
    you can try buddypress as well
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2940752].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author forexaffiliate
    Honestly, the best tools to do this kind of job is a simple editor like Adobe Dreamweaver, and a team of programmers. Learn php or asp and you can create everything you need.

    I've never seen good social network sites based on ready-made software. Learn how to program, or hire, and write exactly what is needed for your special project. You get the advantage of getting it exactly like you want it to be. About two years ago I installed and tried every major social network software from free to the ones costing thousands of dollars, but none really worked.

    A social network with 100.000 active members could easily be worth sex-seven figures. So don't be afraid to invest in good programmers, pay them well, and you, the entrepreneur should have strong programming skills, a deeper understanding of the mechanism of social networks and leader skills.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2940795].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author oliverjones
    How do you plan to grow the network to 100k members? What are your time scales to reach this number?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2940796].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JaspervBulletin
    Hey Carlton,

    You can do a lot of customizations with the vBulletin software that can classify it as a "social networking" site. Though I suggest just targeting a particular niche rather than a broad niche. It would be far more easier and beneficial.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2946974].message }}

Trending Topics