Website suggestion needed

[venomdog]

Hi Guys,
I am thinking of building (or have it build) a social networking site with the possibility of back end management just like CMS, site administrator can add/modify things on the sites etc.
Plus I am also looking for plugin/widget container inside it, so developers/enthusiasts can add plugin or widget paid or free on the site to enhance existing features.
What technology you suggest can help it develop in quick time, I need a honest opinion and what can it cost me any suggestions/pointers.

[Redcoder]

The reason that Google beat Yahoo was the fact that they used a scripting language(Python) which ensured a short software cycle and they were able to come up with updates and new products very fast while Yahoo! with C++ took some time to catch up and by that time, Google had launched something new. In short what I'm saying, Use a scripting language e.g PHP or Python.

This will cost you a lot of cash also because of the API/ Widgets if you want it done professionally with Security taken care of. Web Development companies will charge you upwards of $25,000 while you may get a group of freelance coder, designer and Front-end programmer who may do it for a total of about $10,000. This is an intensive project.

You may also check out the Scripts available all over the internet. They are affordable because they are sold to masses. But for what you want - something custom - it will cost ya.

[venomdog]

Thanks Redcoder for you post. what do you think about
Opensocial (http://docs.opensocial.org/display/OS/Home) this is really exciting and it would be great if I get someone working for me on this platform.

[DivisionByZero]

I specialize in niche social networks and I always recommend either Dolphin or vBulletin (slowly dying out). These are very easy to customize and extend.

[Redcoder]

OpenSocial looks good. The problem will arise if your website becomes big. You will have a nightmare trying to support the traffic because most of these CMS come with a lot of bloat as they are meant to work in all circumstances and are hence not specific.

My Advice: If yours will be a niche social network e.g for accountants or such, use a CMS and extend it a bit to your specifications. But if you expect this to explode, you can't afford to use a CMS. Everybody will tell you that the hardest thing to do is to change the codebase especially when in a crisis. That's how users leave.

[glitztechnology]

I will suggest you to use boonex http://www.boonex.com/