Hi guys, first off, I'm new to web hosting but have been doing web design on and off for 10 years. Here is the situation, and maybe it's just me.

There are these 2 car dealerships in town, obviously making them competitors. Being a small town, the people are relying on support and friendliness over everything else.

I've just gotten one contract to build a website for 1 car dealer, I feel the only reason they picked me is because I'm friendly and down to earth, told it how it is.

But today I'm probably going to get the other car dealers design.

Being a new company I want to build an awesome portfolio of websites, but I feel I'm crossing a line.

Playing for both teams so to speak. It's a small town, they'd figure it out eventually.

I understand it's just business but what are your opinions.

I have run into this myself and found it to be no problem at all. If either/any company wants you to sign or agree to some type of non-compete agreement, simply ask how much extra they are willing to pay for that. Most say "what" and drop the matter. I have never lost a client/deal over this when it is explained to them.

You are in the business of designing/developing websites…that is how you make money.

I agree with ya, and when I think about it, it's not a new situation to them

Construction companies, print companies all need work too. Try telling a construction crew to not fix that building because they are a competitor.

If you are creative enough :) you should create two totally different sites for each without having to cross the lines.. Remember their input and what they want from their site is a big factor, just when you sit on the drawing board, completely forget about the first one.

lebnene has good advise there.

I would try to do what he said. Make a completely different site, that is, unless they are envisioning something similar, than you have to. I wouldn't disclose it, unless you're in the practice of disclosing your other clients when working o nthe contract.

And, what better way to build your portfolio, if you do it the way lebnene recommended, it could go to reflect very well for you. Showing you can take two sites, for two companys, that do the same thing, and make them completely different but still great looking.

Unless you signed a non-compete agreement, don't worry about it.

What is your alternative? Just build for one and reject the other project? That would be worse imho in a small community.

Hey you are just doing your job :) I would do both web sites

all good points thanks

small or big you don't consider size of the community, give the best possible results for both of your clients..

Just make sure you have both give you a very detailed outline of what they'd like. If you just go off and do your own thing and they decide that you did a better job on the other company's site I can see where you might run into problems. At least if they tell you what to do they can blame no one but themselves.

Try to make two different websites, creative enough to differentiate from one another. There is a challenge to prove your creativity.

Our Karma is to work loyal to every customer!

Remember this from a old man from India, who once said

"A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. "

I see no real "line". Create original work and make sure you get as many specifications as possible from the customers themselves.

It's a small town, they'd figure it out eventually. It being a small town 1. there's probably not a lot of competition for them to choose from, so they're a bit stuck themselves; 2. you can't be choosy, and they can certainly understand this.

If they'd want to put a big sign on the rooftop, there's probably be only one company close in the area doing such a job. What I'm saying is that they're probably used to this sort of situation arising - both of them using the same service provider.

Playing for both teams so to speak


Bet the directors go to the same shopping malls, but the same groceries, drink the same brand of beer, so why should using the same webdesigner be an issue ?