A Very Unique Social Network Idea

[Raza Rizvi]

Hey,
Since the last 2 years I have a very cool idea of creating something and there isn't any such thing yet. its basically a social network but the concept is very unique.
The design is somewhat similar to pinterest except I will also add notifications on the top.

1. Do you have any idea on what platform is pinterest built on?

2. I definitely need to hire a professional for this but how do i make sure that he doesn't steal my idea?

3. How much would it cost me, i know its difficult to answer but I am expecting something from $1,000-5k.

 

[bondart]

i assume it will be around 10k if he knows what hes doin, and if he does not it will probably cost u more

 

[black101]

what about promotion, making a sit is easy, promoting it is the hard part

 

[Kintoups]

Hey Raza,

Ideas are cheap, it's all in the execution. A LOT of people have AMAZING ideas for Social Networks but it doesn't work for various reasons.

I'm not saying your idea won't work, I'm just saying you need to really think about it.

If you want it to work:
1. It needs to be High Quality (which means you should hire a good developer and not the cheapest one)
2. It needs to be unique (so make sure you research the competition)
3. You need to know how to generate enough traffic to your site and to know HOW TO get that traffic (because if you need PPC to generate traffic, that will cost a few 10,000$)
4. You need to keep working on your website relentlessly for several months before it can get any king traction (at least 6 months)
5. You need to be aware that you could lose all your money and never make a cent

BTW I had a GREAT idea a while back for a website that would be a competitor to Google (it seemed great in my head). After about 10,000$ in expenses for designer and programmer I hardly get any traffic to that site and I have forgotten about that project ever since.

If I were you, before investing any kind of money in the project, I would first acquire a lot of expertise on low cost sites... for example, make a few wordpress site yourself and get a good understanding of SEO, PPC, Basic Web Design, etc. Then, when you feel you are good enough, I would launch a test website where you would explain what the project is about, what you want to do and ideally have mockups from a designer with the layout. I would create a landing page with an email signup telling people to signup and give you their email if they are interested. When you have enough people and that you think there would be an interest, then I might consider investing the money.

That's it.

Good Luck!

 

[ChrisX]

Get a Pinterest clone and save thousands. Then hire somebody to make the necessary customizations.
Google is your friend, I found a few of those in 10 seconds.

 

[qrazy]

Main challenge for you will be the promotion part of the site which cost a lot and that's where investors come handy.

First try to get your prototype(proof of concept) of your project done with minimal cost without spending much on infrastructure like powerful servers/cloud/hosting etc and have your product live working functionally. Once you're done with prototype, approach VCs or independent investors and explain them your idea and roadmap of your full fledged project and get them to invest funds for further development and promotion. Goodluck with your project.

 

[Roshaen]

Well Before going ahead with this project i would suggest you to think again.
People always come with an idea of a social working site like orkut/facebook/pinterest.Well we need to keep this is mind these sites are successful not because they are like any other sites its because of its uniqueness and when they were building a site they never thought of making something like the other one.Its the unique ness of a website that makes the different.
SO think about something that better than pinterest not like pinterest.

 

[Raza Rizvi]

Thank you for your responses, I really appreciate it.

1. I dont think that I would be investing much on promoting my website. I have access to over 3 million Fb fans, 100K pinterest, 29k twitter followers, 12k google+and 2k on linkedin

I am also familiar with seo stuff so thats not an issue.

But the idea is so unique that Im sure its worth the effort there isn't any such website yet + the demand is high

 

[Kintoups]

It's a good start Raza to generate traffic. The idea that some suggested to use a Pinterest clone is a good one and would save you a ton of money. Then just ask a programmer to modify it as per what you want.

Good luck with the project. I hope for you that it works out.

 

[roamer]

It's a good start Raza to generate traffic. The idea that some suggested to use a Pinterest clone is a good one and would save you a ton of money. Then just ask a programmer to modify it as per what you want.

Good luck with the project. I hope for you that it works out.

The problem with clones is that they're not created in a way that allows for scalability. As soon as a site running those hits critical mass, you have to either write everything from scratch or create patches as needed.

 

[maineyak]

I would first try with a cheap clone. I just bought pinclone, $39 and it does what I need. If your site takes off, THEN I would hire a programmer that could write your new code, and be able to migrate your old site into the new. These guys are right, building a site is easy, putting it before people's eyes is the hardest part.

 

[Raza Rizvi]

I would first try with a cheap clone. I just bought pinclone, $39 and it does what I need. If your site takes off, THEN I would hire a programmer that could write your new code, and be able to migrate your old site into the new. These guys are right, building a site is easy, putting it before people's eyes is the hardest part.

hired a professional already for $9000 to create the website and I hope it would be completed within the next 3 months
Yeah I agree that the hardest part is when it comes to promoting.

 

[IMpossible]

Ask yourself: Why should others join your social network when there is facebook, pinterest, twitter, instagram, youtube.....

 

[Raza Rizvi]

Ask yourself: Why should others join your social network when there is facebook, pinterest, twitter, instagram, youtube.....

Because my website isn't similar to any of these. If wont be used to connect to friends , relatives etc. Ive already mentioned it above that the idea is unique