Hi folks, i'd like to get your advice on getting my idea off the ground. 

 

Background - I can photoshop, create UI's and sell the idea to people; however, I have very little technical knowledge when it comes to making the thing work front end or backend (the hard bit).

 

The idea I have is quite complicated and on a very big scale (Facebook scale). It will have lots of pages, user accounts, user profiles, photos, messaging, alerts/notifications, payment options/tracking etc.

 

I have limited funds, so will need to get backing from somewhere, but in order to do this I'm thinking I'm better off having something live, not working, but looking like it does. 

 

A friend of mine is a web developer and can slice the pages together but doesn't have the technical knowledge to create the backend databases and extreme technical aspects. 

 

So I was wondering if it's a good idea to create the front end with my mate, get a feel for the site, then get a backend man (or woman) to code it all up and make it work? Is this a backward way of doing things? Will this work...ie will the developer be able to work with the front end created or would they prefer to start with a blank canvas? Is there a particular web technology it should be started off in.

 

Apologies if these are dumb questions, but would really appreciate your expertise/thoughts

 

Thanks 

Hi Jimmya, in my experience it will depend on the back-end developer. I know that a lot are more than happy to handle the back end development and they don't really care too much about the front end of things. But I have worked with a few who would rather handle the entire project themselves and just find it easier that way.

 

I would think that with the kind of scale you are talking about you are going to need more than one developer on staff. This is really a question that you should be talking over with experienced back end developers.

 

It isn't a dumb question but in my experience most professionals are willing to sit down with you and talk about what they can do for you over the phone and you might have a better idea after you have actually contacted a few developers.

 

That's just my two cents anyway.

 

Not sure if it helps.

Hi thanks very much for the advice - time to get cracking, first port of call a chat with back end developers! Thanks again