Is My Idea Technically Feasible?

Start small, and be realistic

People with no Internet experience often contact me to tell me about their grand ideas for major new websites. They have no idea of the economics of the Internet, or what to expect from a new Internet business. Most of these grand ideas require large, custom-built sites, that would have to be built by a professional, and cost a five-figure amount of money.

I've found that many people with website business ideas also have some funny ideas about getting out of paying for anything, through some kind of favourable "partnership" scheme. I've received many proposals over the years from people telling me "you create my fantastic website idea for me for free, and when I'm a hit, I'll give you 10% of the profits."

If you believe you have a great idea, you need to earn and risk your own money, and reap your own success or failure.

To try something big like this, and succeed, you need serious Internet business experience, or serious real-life business experience in the field the website deals with. Leaping into a large-scale Internet venture, from nowhere, is a sure-fire recipe for failure.

You can make it big online – I've seen people do it – but you need to start small, and learn the ropes. If your site turns into a big, successful site, it will have started out as a small, simple one. If it doesn't work as a small idea, don't do it.

Social networks and other "network effect" sites

A classifieds site, social network, or auction site all require a critical mass of pre-existing users, to be successful. If you try to create such a site, it will almost certainly fail. No one will sign up for an auction site where there aren't already people using the site.

"Network effect" sites either start off by providing a high-quality service in a small niche, where they can survive on a very small membership base, or they're suddenly created, with a huge burst of advertising, by people with serious experience and resources.

Social network sites also have the problem that they require a reasonable amount of initial setup. The user has to learn the interface, add friends, and join groups, before they can start to benefit. Most people aren't interested in getting involved in a new and tiny social network, when they're already on Facebook. Consider whether you actually need to create a social network. Often, a discussion forum or blog is far more appropriate.

What kinds of sites are easy to make?

A WordPress blog/site can contain any amount of pictures, text, pages, and links. If the site you want to make is just pages of text, photos, videos and/or links, then it's dead simple. You can also sell things via PayPal or credit card. 90% of sites should fall into this category.

What kinds of sites are more difficult to make?

Sites with more complex functionality can be created, but they require the use of plugins. These are easily-installable extras you can add from inside WordPress. If what you want to do is fairly normal, there should be plenty of plugins that can do it. You probably won't need to deal with anything highly technical, but you will likely need to do your own research and experimentation. If you're technically-inclined, and happy to play around with things, then this is something you may be comfortable with.

What kinds of sites can't I make?

Complicated, unique, interactive websites. Any site that stores or calculates information, and isn't something normal that a plugin would exist for. Any site that has a very specific layout requirement.

This kind of site is well beyond the scope of a novice. You'll probably need to hire a professional firm to program such a site.