Hey Guys,

We recently snipped a couple threads due to forum guidelines not being met. I feel now is a good time to point out a couple things about the MonsterSmallBusiness forums.

We don't allow links to competitive sites in the forum. This includes in the body of the post or in people's signatures. Competitive sites include both other ecommerce platforms AND sites which promote or sell services which compete with our family of services (site design, SEO, etc...)

If you have a great resource which happens to be on a site which promotes items which compete with MonsterCommerce, the best thing to do is to post the contents of it directly into the thread.

I'm sorry if this causes frustration with any members of the MC community, however, please understand where we are coming from on this. You would not want advertisements for your competition on any of your web properties either.

If you have any question on what acceptable content is please do not hesitate to ask.

Regards,

No problems here. After all, that's what private messaging is for.

I snipped my own posts. Long live .

Personally, I think has been too liberal in accepting posts with this type of info - even from their own employees. I have seen all sorts of information regarding SEO and hosting by other companies, though they weren't named specifically.

With particular regard to SEO... I think offers way too much information in the forums. Yeah... it's helpful, but is it appropriate - or smart, considering you offer these services?

I'm all for competition.... but not on my own turf! In fact, I have been known to politely, yet tactfully ask people to refrain from comments regarding other company's services when in my stores, and when other customers are present. I have even refused service to a couple of people who I discovered were pushing another store's services to my own customers!

I find it to be one of the most insulting things a customer can do - they may as well slap you in the face. If they want to push the competition so much... they can use them too!

Sorry... but this type of thing really gets to me.

I guess its all a matter of perspective. Some might say that if you have a strong offering and believe you have competitive advantage, it would be best to welcome the comparison.

It certainly takes a lot of confidence in your own offerings to take the gracious and open point of view. However, it is a nice way to market (ala the car insurance company who also provides competitor rates). That being said, I don't think has any reason to cower in fear.

IMHO, would do fine side-by-side with all comers. If this is not the case in one or another service area, its best to find that out and either fix the offering or get out of that line...rather than limp along damaging the core brand by shielding your existing base from "better" competitors.

The fact doesn't even want competitors mentioned makes me more leery of them than if they were open and secure in themselves. Its not like denying such posts will dissuade anyone from finding quality competitors anyway...it just makes discussion here less robust.

My two cents.
Ed

I probably added to the decision to get out the scissors and "snip" when I responded about contacting one of the sites about one of their services. I do know MC is way over my budget so can you blame me? I didn't mean to offend by my response tho.

Advice is free. You can get it from your friends, family, local minister and sources you trust online.

Yet, MILLIONS of dollars are spent each year by peole paying for the premium of percieved 'authority-advice'.

The same is true in most industries. MANY people are willing to pay the premium price tag, on premium goods and services.

makes PREMIUM sites. No arguement.
designs PREMIUM logos. Again, No arguement.
offers PREMIUM SEO - okay

I've never been under the delusion that I could make sites or logos with the professional polish of the team - I mean they are definately professionals in their field - and kudos to them.

It is true that I offer those services though - which I totally understand is a conflict of s interests for me to promote them and I understand., but the fact is - I've refused more paid work from Monser merchants than I've accepted. In fact I've done more free work for fellow merchants than any paid.

Thats why I'm always broke Poor business model, I know.

But seriously guys. I don't mean to devalue any of the services offers. They likely employ most of the methods I mentioned, but thats for them to discuss with the clients who choose their services.

I deleted it and PM'd you the reasoning... you are correct, you did not include a link but you promoted another service and stated to PM you for more information.

The terms of use are stated clearly on the board. If members violate the terms of use, posts will be removed. If abuse continues membership priveldges will be removed.

Hi Guys,

These are all great posts and we appreciate your feedback. We do not mind, infact we love competition. We are a very competitive company! It's what keeps all of us sharp. And the last thing we want to do is spend time editing posts.

At the same time the content within the forums is a direct reflection of our company and provided as a service on this small business site. Continually linking to sites that have competitive services is not allowed.

It is not an issue of MC not believing in our product or not welcoming competition. It is simple common sense that we don't want sites that offer competitive services to use our forums to build their link popularity. Would you invite other sites to continually promote a competitive product to your customers by putting up free links on your own site? I hope not!

Ever heard of AdSense...only several MILLION users providing competitors links on their sites

But I get the idea - and 'point taken'. I have no furthar intention of promoting any 'competitive' services here. has EVERY right to delete posts they feel are of a competitive nature.

I doubt very seriously that you'll have to delete any posts from me anytime soon

WHY WOULD GET WORRIED ABOUT COMPETITION, IF YOU ARE THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


But I will keep that in mind.

Scooter.