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Working for Client's Competition?

by turntwo21
11 replies
Hey guys,

I run a web design business, and as I get busier, I've come across a bit of a dillema.

Should I design websites for a current client's competition?

What is a general rule of thumb here? It doesn't "feel" right....but neither does turning down new business

Any advice?

Thanks!
#client #competition #working
  • Profile picture of the author Wide
    Go for it! As long your not trying to outrank your old client in SEO, bet that would piss him off (if you still do business with him).

    But designing a website, sure thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Russell
    As long as you can keep the two designs pretty different, there shouldn't be too much of an issue. It'd be a bigger problem if you did two similar designs, or if you were pitching SEO/promotional strategies as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Business is business. Big ad agencies do it as well as other service providers. Go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author noble
    For sure. Its not like you're doing SEO where your service cannot possibly help them both be in the #1 spot. You're doing design there is nothing unethical with this in my book.
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  • Profile picture of the author shuvo
    Many clients now want A to z service means they want from scratch or design of a site till SEO.So in the upcoming months you'll be more busy on design and SEO for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    It is generally OK UNLESS you provide info about the other client, use it in any way, etc... Forget all about the other client, and try to do right by the current one. If you provided content for the first one, it is best to have the second provide it for you. ALSO, don't benchmark against your other customer's site. Also, try to avoid creating the same look and feel of your other customer site, unless it is COMMON.

    Heck, I worked for several banks, several insurance companies, several consulting companies, etc... and I always do that. It IS written into their contracts ALSO, but is a GIVEN! You do NOT want to be accused by a former customer, so try to distance yourself from anything that might appear to conflict.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Buxx
    So long as you don't treat them any differently as a result of having worked for a competitor, you're golden.
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  • Profile picture of the author HelpingYouBeAnExpert
    If you didn't say you wont then do it, if you signed a paper saying you wont then don't. You can work for whoever you want if they don't want you then they make you do non compete I never took those jobs when I use to be an employee I thought it was anti-american i would not do that kind a job even if they gave me a million bucks it went against what America was founded on free market and competition
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HelpingYouBeAnExpert View Post

      If you didn't say you wont then do it, if you signed a paper saying you wont then don't. You can work for whoever you want if they don't want you then they make you do non compete I never took those jobs when I use to be an employee I thought it was anti-american i would not do that kind a job even if they gave me a million bucks it went against what America was founded on free market and competition
      A non compete agreement does NOT deal with helping out competitors with general data. A non compete says that you will not use/reveal ANY info gleaned while you worked there, and won't compete for a time.

      And america was built on REAL competition, NOT thieves! There are people that will go to work for a company, take EVERYTHING, right down to logo look and feel and SOP, copy it, etc... They will EVEN go through customer lists! Non compete agreements are an attempt to stop THAT!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author hilarious89
    Originally Posted by turntwo21 View Post

    Should I design websites for a current client's competition?
    Ya, of course you should design websites for current client's competition. And it would be better if you could design for future client's competition as well. Doing this your website will more acceptable and you can get money fro that for long times.

    Best of luck with your website designing business, turntwo21.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Go with your gut after considering the options. You know the people involved and we don't. For a straight site design, I don't see a problem. If other services are involved, that might be different. Give it some thought - if you still don't feel right about it - don't do it.

      kay
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