Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Can anyone tell me how long it would take for either a freelancer or firm to design and develop a social network web site? It would have the basic social network features like user registration, friends, blogs, message boards, etc., and it would have to be able to handle millions of users.

No idea. To me, I think there are too many variables to know for sure right up front.

I would think that just the absolute basic functions and design would be put into place and tested, then other features/functions added one at a time and tested as well. More than likely you would need many, many people to sign up and use it to find bugs and get feedback, as well as to see if it`s something they would even want to use.

Also consider who is doing it, their experience, reliability, available manpower or ability to outsource if needed, etc.

Just my opinion, to compete with the big boys, you will probably need something new that they don`t offer, or do what they do better, to get peoples attention and keep them around, and that alone may require a huge time investment as far as programming, usability and testing is concerned.







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M Hall
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Not being a developer, but following the many sites that are put up for critique here on SuN, it seems to me that the most important variable is the client`s involvement.

Repeatedly, I see discussion from developers who do their part then ask the client for content. And that content doesn`t show up, or the client is too busy, or they`ve lost interest.

So it seems to me that a timeframe wouldn`t be possible without there being a solid client-side investment of content, vision clarity, "wants" and expectations.

It depends on the firm that you are choosing. If that software designing and developing firm are just newbie then it will take lot of time. Apart from that choose well experienced firm and it will take less amount of time.

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Web Developer Kent

if i were to guess i'd guess forever? a full army at google took lightyears to release google +. what makes you think a freelancer will do it in any less time?

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There are two points to consider:

1) Do you have a full scope, description, etc. to help a development company come up with something?  The reason why I ask, most development companies will not do carte blanche development except to say $X per hour and be ready to cut checks at milestones.

2) What is your budget?  If you are wanting what I think you do, it can be done for a few thousand.  But if you are wanting all this for about $200, you're dreaming.  Reputable companies will charge a nominal price.  Dirt cheap will show you the quality of development and/or the support.

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Robert Williams, Owner
Williams Web Solutions
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info@williamswebsolutions.net
(361) 455-6471

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If you are talking about a social networking site - the ground work has already been done. I`m sure there are various scripts already available that can be the foundation for your site. :)

 

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