What are the steps on making a social networking website?

Don't start out building a social network. The network effect existing social networks have make it near impossible for them to leave. Instead, build a solution that people want to use every day. As people come back to your site daily, build tools to let them talk to each other. That's the beginning of a community. Then let them setup a profile, and give them ways to connect with each other. That is how you build a social network. As for the technical bits, use open source solutions like php and MySQL to start. Down the road you'll change them, but they will get you going in the beginning. Don't hire a dev to build it. Find a co-founder, or learn programming yourself. Chances are your idea will pivot a few times, and you don't want to pay someone to makes changes all the time.