eCommerce Tycoon

**blazerweb** · 05-22-2007, 10:20 PM

I am currently in the process of building a website for my web/graphic design. Is it okay "legally" to list competitors and their prices/features COMPARED to your own? (my own). And if you can do that, are there any limitations? Thanks!

**vangogh** · 05-23-2007, 12:02 AM

I'm not really sure, but I would think it's ok as long as you're representing the other company accurately. Keep in mind though, that if they change things after you list their prices and features you would no longer being representing them accurately.

Is there a compelling reason to show the comparison? Are you sure it will lead to more sales for you? It could also lead to people learning about your competition and visiting their sites.

I know if I was your competition I'd be happy to have you list me. I'd see it as free advertising.

**blazerweb** · 05-23-2007, 08:20 PM

Yes. Thank you. I think I should stick with ( my prices | "other sites" prices ). Thanks!

**vangogh** · 05-24-2007, 12:18 AM

Glad to help.

**jayk** · 06-05-2007, 10:35 PM

yes it is ok as long as your information is accurate, its done on tv all the time.. you'd have to update that information regularly though.

**dvduval** · 06-05-2007, 10:44 PM

And make sure to include somewhere on the page...
"as of June 5, 2007".
That makes your information accurate even if it changes.

**seolman** · 06-06-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

I know if I was your competition I'd be happy to have you list me. I'd see it as free advertising.

Spot on! If your clients don't know who your competition is - don't introduce them. Believe me when I say customers don't really buy on price, they buy on perceived quality. Quality is in the eye of the beholder (better: quality is conformance to customer requirements). If someone asks you for a canoe don't build them the Bismark. Decide if you offer canoes or Bismarks and sell the heck out of your services to the market you target. I strongly advise against putting any prices on your web site (yeah I know... but who am I?)

**vangogh** · 06-06-2007, 01:36 AM

I absolutely agree on people buying based on their perception of value. I agree so much I wrote a post about six months ago called The Perception Of Value And The Decision To Buy and another last week called Do You Compete On Price Or Value?.

Sorry for the obvious self promo links, but they seemed to fit the discussion.

**VTWebProperties** · 06-06-2007, 10:22 AM

You've gotten some great advice in this thread. I would agree the usefulness of alerting your visitors to the competition is limited. Comparisons can and possibly will be made by third parties anyway. You ought to market your service or goods for their own merit.

**Learning Newbie** · 06-11-2007, 08:18 PM

I think it's completely legal - if you're in the US. Now I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not half as smart as some of the people who've already answered. But I see product comparisons all the time. Mouthwash that lists its active ingredients and Scopes, Subway showing how much fat is in a sub vs a big mac, half the computer and software ads I've seen, and lots more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

Is there a compelling reason to show the comparison? Are you sure it will lead to more sales for you? It could also lead to people learning about your competition and visiting their sites.

Burger King talks about McDonalds in their ads, but McDonalds never mentions Burger King. You also run the risk of being mistaken for whoever you're comparing yourself against, so if you're #2 it makes sense to risk being mistaken for #1, but not the other way around. Which means doing a comparison automatically implies you're not #1, in some area or other that you feel is important. (Almost always sales.)