need help for setting up a myspace alike website

Hi,
I am not a programmer, but I think I got some good ideas for a myspace type of website.
What is the best approach?
1. Hire a freelancer from "getafreelancer.com" or "scriptlance.com"?
2. Please share with me what is your experience with those sites.
3. How do you protect yourself from "contractors" who might "steal/copy" your idea?
4. Any of the gurus here would like to help me to build the site?

It is not a myspace clone. It is rather a much simpler site with a few extras that myspace does not have.

Thanks!

 

Well first of all there are alot of mypsace scripts out there look at them first if you really get a site going and are getting money from it then save up and hire a professional (not freelancer) to add/edit the site, make it more custom.

That would save some money for you as well.

 

Hi.

I'm in the process of developing a site that is somewhat similar, but targeted at a different niche. Here's a few things you'll need to know.

1. Expect to spend at least $1000 on the programmer(s). Maybe more, depending on how complicated the site is. If you don't have a lot of money you could teach ourself php and web design but you will invest a serious amount of time into it.

2. Never hire anyone from India, Pakistan or any other far away country. Most likely you'll be scammed and in best case scenario lose time, in the worst, your money as well. Go through an escrow if you can. Try and get a local programmer whom you could meet face to face ("I know where you live" works surprisingly well as a quality assurance).

3. Generally, I would be very careful before jumping into a venture like this. There are way too many myspace clones and all of them offer different types of the same service. You have to be absolutely sure that your site will not have too much competition in this oversaturated market.

The rest of my advice would depend specifically on the site you are trying to develop. PM me I'll give you some more tips.

 

dude.... alot of "indians" and "pakistanis" work hard and honest to provide their services...

as a precaution i agree but "most likely" is a bit harsh

 

I agree. Because one person got scammed from someone, doesn't mean that someone else would also get scammed from "someone completely different" from the same country.

To the person who started this thred, pick a script and get it modified to suit your requirements. Would cost you less than getting a new one developed from scratch.
Bye