Making your site more interactive

[dailypress]

I have made several static web pages/websites and wasn't that successful in making lots of money mainly because I haven't spent a lot of time in creating good quality content due to having other priorities on the side ...such as a full time job! and of course because of everything/everyone else I can blame on other than myself ;)

So I figured I should start a site which would allow my visitors to create their own content and basically take advantage of the Web 2.0 features to create a dynamic website and only moderate the content before publish.

So here I am starting a new website that is more interactive and user friendly where basically registered users create their own blog using my domain which in my opinion is a very valuable name [& unfortunately it wasn't cheap either! :(]

i.e. example.com/USERNAME

the PROS: Its user-friendly interface and advanced features such as its Photo Gallery, Archiving, Relevant links and Most Popular Links and several other modules as well as its simple and professional design are other features that make the site stand out compared to my competitor.

This site is still under development but wanted to ask for some feedback and recommendations while I'm working on the site. I plan to finish the project by Oct 1st.

1. What features do you think this user generated blog should have?
2. Do you think interactive websites where users publish content, have much more potential in becoming popular? Any statistics or examples?
3. The tough part in managing such as site, in your own opinion...such as the risks?
4. Anything I should be aware of before opening the site to public and advertising? Any links, articles you recommend reading?

Thanks in advance,
DP

[onlineleben]

Off topic:

I haven't spent a lot of time in creating good quality content due to having other priorities on the side ...such as a full time job! and of course because of everything/everyone else I can blame on other than myself ;)

At last someone is honest about his procrastination :)
Good luck and lets hope that your users don't share your habit of 'I want ot post useful content here, but there are other priorities.

re 1)
- a rating tool so other users can rate content quality
- a comment tool like in blogs
- RSS feed

re 2)
don't really know, but there are always some who want to show off and tell others about the nice article they submitted or blogpost they wrote

re 3)
keeping the site free of spam and other abusive ways. Moderating the posts can take time. Risk can be on the legal side as you can be made responsible for what others post on your site.

re 4)
n/a

good luck