Forum Moderators: phranque
The only thing is that my skills are limited to systems administration/engineering and project management. I do not know any programming languages well enough to build a site. I am not a content writer. I am not a graphic designer or web designer. I assume it will cost a lot to outsource everything that I don't know, but I have no other choice.
Does anyone here have a similar situation, and went ilve with a rather robust full-featured money-making website? I am looking for any hints or tips.
The other thing is, I know there is off the shelf software that provides certain functionality to websites (web forum software, search software, shoping cart software, etc.). What are your thoughts on integrating multiple off the shelf products vs. going 100% custom programming?
My basic concept so far is to find a topic that will be easy to market, build a full-featured best of breed online community around it, and make it as automated and conversion-focused as possible. I have already started the business plan process. I am definitely not talking about a simple SEO/adsense project here.
It's good you are focusing on the business plan first.
There are many good components that are already available that you don't have to re-invent, such as shopping carts, forums, etc.
What you do need to invent is your look, processes, and basic content pages.
There will have to be some custom programming involved to get past a very basic website.
you can use a program like Dreamweaver to get started learning how to layout and write web pages, but ultimately you will need to learn the language itself instead of relying on tools.
It will cost a lot to outsource everything, and you will always be at the mercy of your sources. Need an update? Pay again. Need a bug fix? Pay again. Want to change the look? Wait, and pay again.
Just like any business, it takes time to make real money. Your first five years will be spent wondering if it is really worth it. In five years you might be able to quit your day job, provided you put in the hours and hours developing your web business. The days of instant riches because it's on the web are long gone.
Some of the big money making sites are owned by major corporations that spent millions developing them. You really have to ask yourself if you can provide something so unique that people will spend their money with you.
it's not an easy process.
So it sounds like it should be fine to try and find as many components "off the shelf" as possible? I think it should be fine, but then there is the issue of integration. Not sure how much of a hassel that will be.
Inventing the concept of my look is something I can do. Really though, I am not a graphic artist or web designer so I will need to outsource to get that done 100%. Designing busines processes and data flow I can do, but programming these things is another story. The idea of what the basic content pages will contain I can do, and I might even be able to provide/write some of the content myself, but will probably have to outsource some of that at first just to get going. Long term I see users, advertisers (in the form of "editorials"), RSS feeds, etc. providing content.
I know basic HTML, but I am not looking to become a web Picaso. I have used Dreamweaver before, but I am not looking to dabble in that right now. I would rather pay someone to build it up for me quickly and let me stick to what I am already good at (systems engineering/admin, strategizing, and business planning). Editing CSS and other simple edits I can handle myself though.
I know I will always be at the mercy of my sources, which is why I will need to select reliable ones. I just have to be realistic in knowing that I am not a programmer/graphics designer/etc. and will likely never be one (certainly not any time soon even if I wanted to be). I don't think that is a problem really. Business owners hire employees and consultants/contractors all the time.
The thing about an online business model is that it can be made to work within my current day job schedule. I don't mind working after hours on my business. I don't mind the fact that any income will be small at first as long as the business is experiencing growth.
I know that the big money making sites are owned by major corporations that spent millions developing them. They have high overhead, hundreds of employees, tons of hardware, huge complex web environments, etc. That is what it takes once you get to that level. However, a more narrowly defined start up does not necesarily need to cost millions to be successful and to grow. Providing something so unique that people will spend their money is the key, and that is where immagination, planning, and research come in.
