When Slops was first founded in 2006, there was no other local blog shop directories in existence. While giving support for the local teen entreprenuer scene as early as 2006 when most people are still oblivious to the existence of blog shops, we also make various blog shops more accessible to the public by creating an online directory for them, and providing them a cheap marketing channel to further their business.
It comes as no surprise that many similar sites have since appeared, but we have no problem with them, as imitation is the best form of flattery. The emergence of other local blog shop directories serves nothing but to remind us to remain competitive and relevant in the changing local blog shop land scape, and endorses the fact that I have taken the right direction and was able to recognize the importance of such a trend before most other people. What is more is that many blog shop directories that have sprang up have different strengths and I feel that it would be good if consumers and blog shops have many choice of blog shop directories which they can visit. After all, this is what the internet is all about.
However, recently, I was very disheartened by the action of one such blog shop, that according to its site counter at the time of my visit, had barely 400 total visitors. Various elements of the site seemed to be blatantly lifted from Slops. This is not to ask for boycott of the site or anything, but please allow me to rant about my displeasure for a bit. Thank you.
Look at Slop’s graphical advertisement placeholder:
and theirs
Notice the similarity in the wordings?
And their blog shop submission corner?
Even the way their present their blog shop listing is also the same, except for the fact that the link is at the top instead of the bottom of the description.
Slops’:
Imitation’s:
To the owner of the imitation site, if you are reading this, its ok to borrow ideas, but please don’t be so blatant! You site is almost like a clone of Slops!
It is a good thing, however, that recently they have posted on their site that they will be shifting from being a blog shop directory to a fashion magazine. I applaud the move, and wishes them all the best with their new direction.
To my fellow shoppers, continue to enjoy the local blog shop scene! Remember Slops is your top choice as we bring to you one new shop per day, and all the blog shops featured on our site have been handpicked and carefully selected. Slops is blog shopping experience at its best.
The next round of Slops voting contest is coming soon, with attractive prices to be won! Stay tuned!
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