How to setup a website similar to facebook and friendster?

[azzuzo]

am asking details like what kind of webhosting i need to use and also are there people in the market who will set the site up for a fee? Any idea on the approx. fees to maintain such a site? Also in initial stages how to attract crowd to such a site?

[Maria]

Yes you can just hire a programmer. But it will naturally be expensive. To have someone make a site like that might be $10,000 or more. You can also just buy a ready made social networking site. They're affordable. Less than $800 usually. But if you want it made, hire a programmer at http://www.Getafreelancer.com
Scriptlance is my fave.
Hosting for it needs to be a host that has everything. bcz if youre having it made, instead of buying it (where on their site they tell you what your host needs) you don't really know what it will need. But your programmer should definitely tell you, "your host must have this...." I love http://www.HostForWeb.com Professional, has everything, and good service.
Now the fees to maintain is, you will need to be shelling out like $40-50 a month for hosting. that's basically it. Your expense will really be BEFORE the site; not after. you will need tons of advertising to get your site out. it could be thousands of dollars......how to attract people is just that- advertise. advertise on yahoo, google, msn, adbrite. cant give away all my secrets so just type in advertise and there are so many agencies that can enable you to advertise. Good luck.