I just got a competitor

MagnusB

Well-known member
So, I checked out a members site, and then I noticed something strange, he linked to a domain which I at first thought was mine, with Owner next to it. At first I just thought it was due to a limitation in signature options, and that he linked to my site.

Well, be damned, he claimed the .net version of my domain, and use the same slogan as me. I haven't contacted him yet, as I want to calm down a bit first. I wouldn't mind any competitors, but my niche is extremely small, and my presence for the top keywords are pretty good (1 - 2 on Google), so he is in for a hard time. Also the fact that I will at the very least claim my slogan back will make it harder for him to market him self..
 
I wouldn't lose sleep over it, people will always want to emulate something successful. But as long as you're doing everything right, you shouldn't worry about it.
 
Yeah, I won't really loose sleep over it, but stealing my slogan was a bit over the top for me. I don't know if I am doing something right, cause I still struggle with converting views into registration, but I keep getting more and more traffic. I am going to reclaim that slogan though, cause I spent some time experimenting with Google a while back, tweaking that and some content to trigger on more search phrases.
 
Did he hotlink to your slogan/picture? If so do the following:

  • Copy your slogan/picture to another file.
  • Make the NEW file your slogan/picture.
  • Download gay porn and name it the same as the first file.
  • Laugh.

No, I don't use image files for my slogan, I always have them as plain text, thus they have better impact on Google. I don't think he stole any resources for me, just the name and slogan. He is using vB though, without vB SEO, for now. I really liked the 3rd suggestion, though, it made me laugh. I also did a quick search for his domain in the DB, to see if he PM spammed any of my members, I couldn't find any, and had a few friends log on to their account and they couldn't see any either, so he is polite that way, at least.

One of my mods made actually a very good suggestion though, for us to expand. Unfortunately, the required domain is taken, so I am unsure if I should spend my energy trying to think of another one, or wait until the domain expires (less than a month to) and hope that it won't be renewed. I also need some time to iron out the details, I am not sure if I will be expanding into networked sites or using a single domain / XF install.
 
I never anticipated a competitor, because I am not kidding when I am saying my niche is small. I don't mind the domain that much, but it reeks of unoriginality from the creator, but rather that he took my slogan without hesitation.
 
I am not petty, nor have I any intention of banning him. What purpose would it serve other than giving him fuel to say I suck as an admin, and ban people unjustly? BTW, the first thing I did was do search the DB for any reference to his domain, and found none (or one, which was from me, in a thread in a private forum), and he has not broken any of my sites rules, as far as I am aware. I don't want to start anything with him, in the end it will only come back and bite you in your posterior.

Anyway, I asked him politely, by email, to refrain from using my slogan, so I will see what happens.
 
I am not petty, nor have I any intention of banning him. What purpose would it serve other than giving him fuel to say I suck as an admin, and ban people unjustly? BTW, the first thing I did was do search the DB for any reference to his domain, and found none (or one, which was from me, in a thread in a private forum), and he has not broken any of my sites rules, as far as I am aware. I don't want to start anything with him, in the end it will only come back and bite you in your posterior.

Anyway, I asked him politely, by email, to refrain from using my slogan, so I will see what happens.
Just ban him for the heck of it then. You don't always need a reason to ban someone. Think outside the box.
 
Nah, I fail to see how that accomplishes anything, except for removing his access to a website he obviously thinks he can run better him self. It was my first instinct though, but once I managed to calm my self a bit, I figured that it wouldn't be worth the trouble it can cause. I am just hoping it has been a case of poor judgement on his part.
 
Nah, I fail to see how that accomplishes anything, except for removing his access to a website he obviously thinks he can run better him self. It was my first instinct though, but once I managed to calm my self a bit, I figured that it wouldn't be worth the trouble it can cause. I am just hoping it has been a case of poor judgement on his part.
Follow your instincts.
 
Lol, I kinda feel like this now:
homerangeldevil.jpg
 
Did you tired to figure out why actually he had to come up with such idea ? I mean not always we are perfect either . Sometimes misunderstanding with members/staffs does force them out to start their own forums as well or the person must be dumb enough to step on others foot and steal their ideas .
 
Did you tired to figure out why actually he had to come up with such idea ? I mean not always we are perfect either . Sometimes misunderstanding with members/staffs does force them out to start their own forums as well or the person must be dumb enough to step on others foot and steal their ideas .
I really don't know, I don't think it is anything in particular, he probably just thought it was a good idea and went for it. I have barely interacted with the guy, and the last interaction was him liking one of my post (where I actually updated some of his other posts with newer information). I really don't mind the competition, it might spread better awareness of the niche, and as I am top site on Google for it, I can actually come out ahead...

Ohh, and that was my eye, 8th, AUCH!
 
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