As a web developer, I have noted the increasing rise in popularity and demand of the social networking site. The idea of a website that is, for all intents and purposes, entirely self sustaining is a tempting prospect to anyone seeking to start a site. However, along with the demand has come an inordinate amount of questions regarding the most successful ways to build a site and drive traffic. I have noted that in many cases, the author of the question gets the cart before the horse, as it were.
Successful websites do not typically just come to be on a wing and a prayer (with a few notable exceptions). Instead, they are the bi-product of hours, weeks, and in some cases months or years of dedicated time and planning. A successful social network is no different. The planning and preparation involved before the development actually begins is paramount to seeing your brain child through to fruition.