I plan on starting an auction website. I need to find out how much this will cost. Please read on...?

Question

Ideally, this site would be set up like eBay. Obviously, not as large scale, but similar in design. How much would this cost to web developers?

Answer 1

There are a number of software companies that already have this type of program written and ready to buy of the shelf.

http://www.auctionsoftwarereview.com/categories/selling-management-solutions.asp

These solutions are a much more cost effective approach than trying to have custom software written from scratch. You will need to focus more on things like where you will host the service, the type of service (e.g. true auction vs. online store), merchant services (e.g. money collection etc.).

While eBay, Yahoo!, and Overstock have pretty much cornered the market on getting traffic to their sites they by no means own the auction format. As long as you start a service that doesn't infringe on any of their software patents you are free to open your own site.

Because of the size and scope of the aforementioned sites you really need to focus on a particular category or client. Approaching it from a niche perspective is probably the only way you can effectively compete.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

First and foremost its probably going to cost you a few Hundred thousand to fend off the first C&D letter you get for ebay. IF you do not know what a C&D letter is you should stop immediately and go to the library and do a bunch of research.

Companies like Ebay, Yahoo, Amazon have 1000's of patents protecting their business format. You have alreay said it would be set up like Ebay, red flag!! Anything that resembled Ebay's auction format like the use of Buy it now, User feedback like ebays would certainly bring about a letter from Ebay's legal department the second your site hit their radar.

The actual cost of building and running the site can vary so greatly its not even funny. You can spend as much as $19 bucks for a website builder book at B&N to Tens of thousands for profesional services. Hosting is the same way.

I think you need to consider breaking down your question into about a hundred smaller question to really get an idea on how to get started.

Answer 3

You sound like a tremendous sister yet that is an fantastically unique plan, why no longer merely provide them some present certificate from Disney, close by airways, etc. and enable them plan their very personal holiday? they could favor to stay living house for the holiday journeys. Doing all those issues will take more effective than a week, that is a great number of time to devise for absolutely everyone else. also, you do understand the subject parks are really crammed round Christmas? in the adventure that they have got not in any respect been they're likely to be beaten with assistance from the crowds and type of lost. inspite of in case your sister has suggested "oh, which could be effective" she would were having a pipe dream and not in any respect have a clue what it is really like contained in the parks.