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Since I've now included stock trading as part of my investment activities I thought it would be good if I also created a community-based website for traders. On research, I found that such websites do exist, but that they are international in context. While much of the concepts of trading can be applied globally, I could not help but think that there should be trader community websites that have a more local context. So I started building the Stock Investor Network website and had loads of fun doing it. Got to try out some new stuff along the way and figured out what I think are some very kewl features that are lacking on similar international websites. On the face of it, the website includes forums, groups, events, blogs and aggregated news. All of these are open and free for reading. To participate users must be registered. So what makes Stock Investor Network unique. We'll, first thing is that it is the first website in the African internet space that is focused solely on building trader community that is predominantly African in nature or interest. Then there is functionality. Stock Investor Network is the first trader community website where trader groups, not just forums and blogs, is a key feature of the service offered.
The traders groups functionality enables traders to create groups that are either open to all, invite only or private. Traders can join and leave the groups. Group owners can post bulletins to their groups to update or notify the group members. Group members cannot post bulletins, but they can create and interact on threads using forum functionality. While the forum is a technically using the functionality of the forums, the group forum is not displayed in the public forum and is therefore private only to the members of the group. I've not seen this type of functionality or integration on any trader community websites, I think it may be first. It should be interesting to see how people use the Stock Investor Network website. I still have to make rules and then, naturally, start getting people to participate so that the site will become an active and growing community. Since I am not an expert trader, I guess I will have to hope that experts will take the time to contribute and share their knowledge. I think, once we have a few experts, that aspect will take care of itself. The next question will be how to make money out of it. The advertising and affiliate opportunities are good, but will need some leg work and an active user-base. We'll that's what I have for now, one step at time. Let's see where this leads.
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