General Business: Trying to get my idea off the ground

First of all, welcome to YGG.

It sounds like you're trying to create some sort of social networking site. Assuming you don't know any programming yet, you can pick up an open source framework for a social network. Two ones I know of are Elgg and Pligg.

If these don't meet your needs, you can definitely learn how to code in php and learn some database skills. But I would recommend you partner with someone who already has these skills so you can focus on what you can do - create your content, get people to your site and start implementing your vision.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks for the welcome jdoc and Travis. I haven't had any time to check out your recommendations jdoc but will do soon.

Maybe I'm being a bit too ambitious with this, but for the site to succeed I want to offer the best experience to users as I can possibly give. I tend to not return to sites that don't offer me much and this is why I'd like to have a nice complete site. Whilst I could lose features like comments and ratings I believe that these give more to the community which this site relies on. Obviously I don't want to release too much details but I'll describe further. Typically posts should be a few sentences to a paragraph and there's no need for images or videos. There is no theme so there is no limit as to what can be posted (think Wikipedia) and to contribute it should be available to everyone and anyone. Visitors will then search for an item and the relevant content will be displayed.

I do have some programming experience (Flash) but that doesn't help with this project. Unfortunatley I can't afford to hire an experienced developer so it looks like I'm alone.

Travis, you understand my reasons for not revealing my 'big idea'?

In one sentence, it's Wikipedia but you can only contribute if you become a member by signing up.

I've described what features I'd like to include (ability for people to register and then post information, ability for members to then comment on these and rate it). I think that's adequate information and thought that maybe some members have experience with something similar.

I'm sorry if I came across as insulting, I honestly didn't mean that. Wow well it looks like I'm off to a bad start here so if you like I'll continue researching on my own. Sorry for wasting your time.

Posted By: Blueboy

I'm sorry if I came across as insulting, I honestly didn't mean that. Wow well it looks like I'm off to a bad start here so if you like I'll continue researching on my own. Sorry for wasting your time.

Don't take your ball and go home man - you need to be ready for some honest criticism while you try to work out the kinks.

Programming something like this one your own is fine and dandy if you're an absolute pro with PHP and MySQL - if you're not, don't even bother trying to learn it enough if you have any desire to get your site up and running in the next 12 months.

With that being said, if you're talking about programming a wikipedia style site from the ground up and you're paying someone to do it, expect thousands of dollars to be the toll.

You shouldn't have to do this - there are plenty of free wiki applications out there designed in php/mysql that you can use for free. You can, if you must, pay someone to integrate new features or a membership/payment module. It's much cheaper to just improve the tred pattern and re-engineer the wheel.

The others criticism is correct - wiki's aren't anything new, even ones that you have to be a member of. Right now you can post whatever you want for free so if you're planning on charging for it, I just don't see how that will work. Perhaps if you have a clever niche market in mind - but that's the only way I see it panning out.

In any case, good luck - and stick around YGG, it's the only place you'll get honest criticism and suggestions. If you just want folks to tell you that your idea rocks or has serious potential, check out YE - it's total garbage.

Sometimes it's hard to judge the tone of language on forums.

Posted By: Travis

I get the general functions and features you've described as to how it would technically work and the essential community elements it would be made of, but I just don't understand what it's about.

I'm glad you understand how it would work technically because that's the reason for my starting this thread and that's where I need the guidance. I didn't start it for critiquing the concept even though that's how it's ended up. My 'idea' isn't revolutionary but I have not seen such a site and was hoping to target this niche.

Posted By: TravisI'm just trying to help you find the best way to describe your idea and determine whether or not we think it has any potential.

With the greatest of respect that's not why I came here, I can see that maybe your getting frustrated with me being so secretive and defensive but this is my USP, I can't beat other sites on the technology side but the concept I have some clear ground.

Posted By: EricYou shouldn't have to do this - there are plenty of free wiki applications out there designed in php/mysql that you can use for free. You can, if you must, pay someone to integrate new features or a membership/payment module. It's much cheaper to just improve the tred pattern and re-engineer the wheel.

Exactly, I don't want to re-invent the wheel by starting this thing from scratch, so I'm going to investigate into some of those cms as they have added support and plugins.

Posted By: EricRight now you can post whatever you want for free so if you're planning on charging for it, I just don't see how that will work.

No, no not at all. Money will be made from google ads or other relevant ads.

Hopefully I'll stay here because of course I want honest criticsm, but not at this stage. Hmm, maybe I'll give YP a look at later see what all the fuss is about : )

Yes YE is what I meant, not sure why i wrote YP. I'll take your word for it.