This just happened to me.<p>I know I could design a better site, but that doesn't change the fact that the fundamental idea and features are still the same. I don't want the other site's owner to feel like I'm copying his site. Has this ever happend to anyone? Should I just scrap my project or go with it? I'm also looking to avoid legal problems.
I would say: come up with a better idea. I know it's in vogue to claim that "ideas are worthless' and "it's already been done before", but quite honestly, I think that's crap.<p>Personally (me, one individual) have 4-5+ solid "ideas" with significant market research behind them. None of them have competitors, whatsoever, and all of them solve huge problems in the marketplace. The only thing holding me back is a lack of technical skill, which I am solving by learning how to program.<p>So, that being said, I would think a little harder. Rome wasn't built in a day, and an original idea isn't likely to come in a weekend.
I think I remember reading something where PG addressed this issue. To paraphrase, you don't know if both you and your competitor are aiming for the same goal. Even though your products might look similar and provide similar technology, yours might be better for a certain vertical that isn't being addressed. Having similar or even the same idea isn't bad, just make sure to stay focused on what you're really trying to achieve.<p>Hell, there's a reason they haven't cornered the market.
We're actually about to launch (probably this weekend or next) a service that already exists. We just don't think our service has been done very well yet, so we're not that worried. We just decided that we won't over build it at first. We're launching something that solves the big problem and we'll see what the users want. Don't worry too much. Worse case, you have to make another startup. And that's just fun!
Its actually a good thing you have found another site.<p>It validates your idea and gives you a focal point to differentiate yourself.<p>How can you be different? what can I do better?<p>how can I do a more customer centric solution?<p>how can I market better?<p>make yourself "not" the other site - how?
This kind of thing happens a lot more than you think. Unless the existing site has a patent thicket, my advice is go for it.<p>If this is a project that you care about, and one at which you can do a better job, then don't let anything hold you back. What would our world be like without competition?
<i>Has this ever happend to anyone?</i><p>It happens to most people. Very few ideas are unique. In fact most aren't.<p><i>I'm also looking to avoid legal problems.</i><p>Is your product/service classed as competition or do they provide a product/service that's copyrighted?
It happens all the time. Actually you should be worried if it doesn't exist (it may mean there's no market for it - however another website doesn't imply that there's a market, but it's a clue). Also, you will know what to copy and what to do better!
It happens all the time. What I've learned from past is if your idea is unique then it is likely that there is no market for it. Idea doesn't have to be unique, there can be two players in the market, it's execution that matters.
It is very rare these days that you'll come up with an idea that hasn't been done.<p>What's important is that you do it better than anyone else - so take a look at how they're doing it and figure out how you can do it better.
Ever been to a food court? They all essentially sell food and more or less all of them make a success of it. You need to get to the core of the idea and breed a USP around it.
'Has this ever happened to anyone?'<p>Yes. When we started our company, the space was already fairly crowded. We worked to do it better than they were.<p>Also, if you ever intend to grow, you will have to get over your fear of legal problems. Retain an attorney and run critical plans by him/her.