Where do you go to make a social networking site like facebook?

[Michael Rich]

Don't just rush in there and try to build another Facebook. 1) the world has one and doesn't need another. 2) You wouldn't have the time or resources to compete or remain competitive. You need a specialist market, something that hasn't been exploited so you get all the search-engine traffic for it. It can be something as trivial as social networking site for Twilight fans. Or even a just a site that using an API (Application Programming Interface) around Facebook. BTW finding a specialist market is a job in itself however Google Trends can help.

So you've found a market, next step is deciding whether you want to build your own route, as I did, and still am doing every day now for the past seven years; because project development never ends, there's always upgrades, bugs, optimisation to be done. A lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun for someone like me. If you really want to go this route I'd suggest getting yourself a good book on PHP or even downloading a Ebook and reading it a couple of hours a day, gradually putting into practice what you learn. PHP is a very popular web programming language, its commercial counter-part is probably Microsoft's ASP language.

However if you don'#t want to go the build your own route, you could always use a service that's existing. Like a CMS (Content Management System). Wordpress, Joomla and Bonfire are three I've used in the past and come recommended. However even these will need some "hacking" to turn into a social-networking site, so you'll either have to hire a Web Developer or go the build your own route. If you go the hire a web developer way make sure you ask him for a list of projects he's worked on and some references, it also might be good to ask him fizzbuzz questions quiz to ensure he knows his stuff.

Hope this helped!