Copying website

teammatt3's picture

He has: 2,102 posts

Joined: Sep 2003

Earners Forum just launched its new copycat site, I wonder how Sitepoint feels about it. Flattered? Hmm...

I hate sitepoint, but when a developer goes out and blantently copies another website? That's pretty lame. I'm pretty sure the guy behind earners forum is supposed to be some prestigious business dude, but making a stupid decision like that really makes him look n00b. When you're totally late to the game like earners forum is, it's really important to differentiate yourself from the competition. Now anytime someone goes to EF, they will immediately think of their competition. And with so many people hating SP, it automatically gives his site a negative connotation.

Your thoughts?

EDIT: Look at the comments on shoemoney's blog!

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

It really is a pure copy ain't it? I think it will either make or break the site, if they find a way to compensate designers, and a better way to handle contests, most designers from SP might transfer to them...

He has: 1,758 posts

Joined: Jul 2002

The sad part is that it's not even a good copy! It's one thing to rip off a site, but to do it badly makes the whole thing even worse!

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Huh, those are some interesting comments. I think copying another website is lame too. It gives you the impression that they're emulating them in more than just design. Like they want to be "like Sitepoint only better" in some marginal way. I'm glad we've never fallen into that trap.

In thise case though, it seems that the person running it has some good marketing skills. He managed to convince Shoemoney to post what is basically an advertisement for it. If you know the right people you could even manage to do better than the original just with better marketing.

(I don't know why you'd want to copy Sitepoint anyway. So spammy!)

They have: 25 posts

Joined: Jan 2004

Copying another site= lawsuit!

I wonder of sitepoint needs a lawyer Smiling

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