Last Updated on Mar 27, 2020 by James W
Everyone knows how popular Facebook is. It’s the largest social network in the world and is now a multi-million dollar business. Almost everyone on the planet uses Facebook these days, including businesses and organisations.
Some people believe that Facebook is heading in the wrong direction. It’s grown so much, but now it places emphasis on revenue rather than user experience. If you’ve become disillusioned with the social network, here’s an idea: set up your own!
You might think that creating a new social network from scratch is impossible. But, if brands like Facebook and Twitter have done that, so can you! Here’s how to build the next Facebook (but better):
Plan the structure for your social network
Before you get down to business, the first thing to do is plan. You need to think about what users will want out of your social network. And you’ll need to determine how to meet those needs.
At the planning stage, it’s important to think about who will be your captive audience. Many people believe there is demand for niche social networks. For example, Instagram is popular with those that like taking photos. And Pinterest gets used by those that love bookmarking images they find on the Web.
As you can imagine, there is a lot of work to do in the planning stage. But, the more planning and research you do, the higher the chance of your social network being a success.
I recommend talking with friends, family members and interested parties about your ideas. The more people you discuss your ideas with, the better the insight you get. Remember that you need to build a platform that other people will want to use – not just you!
Determine your computing needs
Next, you’ll need to think about the processing power that your new social network needs. Sure, you could start off by renting a dedicated server from a Web host. But, if your new platform has the momentum of a runaway train, you’ll need to upgrade – and fast!
I recommend putting contingency plans into place even at this early stage. The obvious answer is to talk to a company about doing a data centre build. You’ll need a dedicated space where you can install a plethora of servers to copy with the demand of your social network.
Other considerations to make include Internet access. How much bandwidth can you lease? And which providers offer the best deals for your needs?
What about fire protection? And what if there’s a power cut – is there any backup power available? Those are just some of the key questions you need to ask yourself. Talking it over with a data centre builder is a good idea. You’ll get a better idea of what’s needed for your particular arrangement.
Gaining interest
Last, but not least, you will need to get people interested in your new social network. Many people start by offering invitation-only access to new platforms.
That way, it gives them the chance to obtain feedback and fix any operational issues. By now, you should have some idea of what’s needed. All you need now is an idea (and perhaps some financial backers).
Good luck!
