How Do I Make A Social Network With Only $1,000?

[TheAndySan]

Hey guys!

After reading The 4-Hour Workweek, I quit my job working as a cashier at Wal-Mart to pursue creating an online business.

I want to create a social network/search engine for recipe sharing. I've done a little bit of searching and have found a market for such a site.

I've submitted my project to elance.com (it's ending today) and all of the people who've bid on it have asked for $1,400. I only have $1,000 and no job or other source of income.

What should I do? Should I get a job in order to generate the extra money? Should I sell some things on eBay? Should I continue to write in my blog and wait for it to generate the money (ever since I quit my job, I've noticed an increase in the amount of money coming from my blog)?

Thanks guys!

[Niki]

I think if you really want to start a social netwoking site on a budget, you are going to need to learn some things. For example server maintenance, programming etc. Because if you pay 1000$ for a social netwoking site, you only have that, and you can't go any way from there.

[Vdesign]

If you are wanting to start a social site for the low of a budget, you might want to try Dolphin from Boonex. Its free, easy to set up, reliable, and its pretty good. I know of several large social/community sites that use it.

[TheAndySan]

Originally Posted by Vdesign

If you are wanting to start a social site for the low of a budget, you might want to try Dolphin from Boonex. Its free, easy to set up, reliable, and its pretty good. I know of several large social/community sites that use it.

Hmm, I'll look into that. I've already downloaded the free version and I'll upload it to my website and see where it goes from there.

[Vdesign]

Originally Posted by TheAndySan

Hmm, I'll look into that. I've already downloaded the free version and I'll upload it to my website and see where it goes from there.

Let me know how it goes or if you need any help.

[TonyToneTone]

Site Build It! ????

Site Build It

[mustard76]

also consider ning.com and Elgg.

[TheAndySan]

Originally Posted by TonyToneTone

Site Build It! ????

Site Build It

Can you make a social network with SiteBuildIt!? Because that would be awesome!

[Marth]

What should I do? Should I get a job in order to generate the extra money? Should I sell some things on eBay? Should I continue to write in my blog and wait for it to generate the money (ever since I quit my job, I've noticed an increase in the amount of money coming from my blog)?

How is your social network unique from myspace & facebook? I think it's possible if you have a plan about the layout. All of myspace's layout & interface was created in 30 days. You should look into other income sources as well, as Social Networks generally take years to get traffic/exposure started.

[dave marshall]

Hi,

that is simply not enough money!

dave

[Vdesign]

Originally Posted by Marth

How is your social network unique from myspace & facebook? I think it's possible if you have a plan about the layout. All of myspace's layout & interface was created in 30 days. You should look into other income sources as well, as Social Networks generally take years to get traffic/exposure started.

even with 30 days, the layout wasn't that great. The good interactive layout they have now, took a couple of years to build up to

For a low budget social website, boonex dolphin is going to be your best choice. To pay a design firm to design a social website, is not cheap or easy. Is it worth it? yes.. for many reasons, but that would run you around at least 7,000 for a good design

[TheAndySan]

Perhaps I should rethink the social network idea a bit.

I'm liking SiteBuildIt! I think that I'll use it to create several different websites (starting off with just one so I don't get burned out).

I'm not completely scrapping my social network website, but considering the amount of money that it'll cost me, I think that I should start up a different kind of website that's a bit more cost-effective and can generate the money I need to start up the social network website.