Healthy competition

[Nick]

I've run into a bit of a moral delema.

I've had plans to launch a couple sites for about 3 months now. The problem is that some of the sites I would be launching would be in direct competition with a couple people's sites that post on this board.

I'm not doing it just to piss people off and I feel bad doing it, but times are tough, and I need money. heh.

So what do you say. What are your thoughts on competition?

[incka]

If I had the idea before I came to this board I will do it, or if I have permission from the person on this board, or if the person on this boards site is still under construction.

[DaveM]

I think competition makes for fun times :P

You doing a cell phone site too? I would say the competition is quite fierce. lol

Besides most likely someone would end up doing the same idea regardless of someone you know having it...

[MarkB]

It all depends on your morals, I guess. If you've been planning the sites for months, by all means go for it. Nobody here holds the exclusive rights to their sites' topics! :)

You could even trade links.

[r2d2]

If you already have stuff done for them I think its fine, only problem is if you see someones idea on here, then open a comptetitive site.

And yes trading links would benefit both of you.

PS If its in competition with my casino review site, dont worry, I would be glad to exchange links.

[Mike]

Before I opened MP3 Player Reviews, I asked emke. I had thought of the idea before I saw his site, otherwise I probably wouldn't have continued.

I plan to open another AWS site. Because of the category of the site, I bet you someone opens one before me here:)

[incka]

Michael Gersitz asked me before setting up a online games site, and I was glad that he did and said yes. I even networked my sites with his.

[Nick]

I would never open a site JUST to make someone else mad in an attempt to be their competition. Nor would I blatently rip someone off. I would also ask for permission from the site owner if I knew my site was going to be his competition ( and if he was a member of this board or sitepoint).

However, whether I was given permission or not, I would still go through with launching the site. I guess that's what separates me from most people.

[MarkB]

In my mind, if you've thought of the idea before seeing it on a board you contribute to, there's no need to ask permission. Who is anyone to deny you the right to start whatever (legal) site you want?

However, if you're inspired to start, say, a cellphone site because you see someone else having success in that field, then you may have to test your scruples as to whether you DO start one. But again, I don't think you need to ask permission - you can do what you like, as long as you don't rip someone off wholesale :)

[incka]

rip someone off wholesale


That sounds like a Philip K. Dick book...

[Mike]

Originally posted by MarkB
In my mind, if you've thought of the idea before seeing it on a board you contribute to, there's no need to ask permission. Who is anyone to deny you the right to start whatever (legal) site you want?

However, if you're inspired to start, say, a cellphone site because you see someone else having success in that field, then you may have to test your scruples as to whether you DO start one. But again, I don't think you need to ask permission - you can do what you like, as long as you don't rip someone off wholesale :)

I totally agree Mark.

[MarkB]

Hoorah :)

[incka]

I would not start a site because others were having good results, thats why I never started a template site. I like doing things I like to do, and if others are doing them I do not mind to much. I have considered for over 2 years setting up an online library type site even though about 6 months ago I joined WP. I am still considering this, as books is a great interest to me, but at the moment I am creating other sites that interest me, and I am too busy. The fact that Chris makes one would make me feel guilty, but it would not put me off making one.

[Chris]

There are already hundreds of online book sites, one more wouldn't hurt.

Having someone you can trust who runs a competing site is a good thing IMO. It means there is someone you can trade links with, it means there is someone you can trade notes and ideas with.

Who cares if you're #2 and he is #1 (or vice versa) both are good listings, and its better to be #2 and be friends with #1 than to be #50.

[incka]

Website publisher is a great place to make friends and share ideas with webmasters of similar sites. Alot of us run template sites and AWS sites, and look at how much you have helped each other even though you are in competition. Basically its who you know against who you don't, and I'm happy with that, better you and your aquintences win and someone you don't know loses than you win over your aquintences and lose your friendship with them.

And I probably won't be creating an online book sites for at least 6 months, if at all.

[michael_gersitz]

Damn, I was looking for pda review domains yesterday.. and was going to go with pda-reviews.info, but now I might change it...

[Chris]

Oh, by the way, I'm opening the following sites in the future.

1. Adding AWS component to my savvyshopping site, including AWS for TVs, Tivos, Digital Cameras, (anything in my deals section).

2. Adding AWS for camping outdoor type stuff to my survival site.

3. Adding AWS for fitness/health/weightloss type stuff to my fitness site.

4. Same thing for my orienteering site.

5. I'm making a spring break site.

I have some other ideas but thats it for the short term.

[incka]

At last the spring break site is being made!:)

[Mike]

Adding AWS to your savvyshopping site should pay off really well I would have thought.

[incka]

I'm not sure. Savvyshopping is too general, and would have to include all of amazon...

[GCT13]

This week chromate and I happened to open "Camcorder Reviews" (http://www.camcorder-reviews.net/) and "Camcorder "Review" (http://www.camcorderreview.net). I like his design better :D

I think if you have an idea then go with it. Chris is right, knowing your competition and comparing notes can potentially be a big help, especially with the people on this forum.

[Nick]

I just finished an, imo, amazing review script which I'll be using in a whole slew of review sites.