Site Cloners - Good or Bad? What's your opinion?

TommyCarey Level X³

August 29, 2016, 3:02 am

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Site Cloners - Good or Bad? What's your opinion?

I've been going over a few things with my designer and we began talking about a site cloner so that he wouldn't have a huge work load. We're not going to use one, it was more of a joke saying we can easily clone facebook by using one of the paid website cloners lol

Now I know that when I started I tried cloning a few websites but I had no clue about site cloners that had a one time fee or like $25 to $100 for their software. I don't think it was that much per clone, just a one time fee for the software, but I could have been wrong lol. If I knew of these site cloners when I was younger I probably would have used them... a lot. I didn't know how to design or program anything when I was younger, I actually still suck at programming lol.

Some people see website cloners as a shady tactic only used by those who don't want to do the work themselves. But what if a person doesn't have enough money to get a website design made and opted to use the cloner and set everything up themselves? Obviously they would customize it slightly so that it showed their own branding, but even that seems a little shady.

When I was little I remember telling my teacher that someone was copying me. She then said something that opened up my eyes a bit, she said "Copying isn't right, but don't look at it as a bad thing. Look at it as a form of flattery. They liked your work so much that they wanted to do it themselves." (insert mind blown image here).

Do any of you use, or have used, a website cloner for your own website or a clients website?
Do you think website cloners are a good or bad thing?
If you didn't have the money to pay a designer, would you purchase a cloner and clone someone elses website?

Thanks,

Razzy

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ajlancer

ajlancer

Hi Razzy thanks for your question. I think you are talking replica or clone website. I never used such replica website. But still I am curious to make few replica website for me like SEOclerks affiliate replica. Which already we know that some of users made SEOclerks affiliate replica. I do not think this is illegal. Because, one site can be looking as same like other site. So, there does not mean good or bad things. Though in a generally, I like to make unique website for any purpose. And I never tried to make any clone website as lack of money either affiliate intention.

Regards by Ajlancer

8 years ago

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Everett

Everett

I wouldn't clone anyone else's website due to legal issues, and the plain fact that you're basically copying their design. As a website owner, it will appear as if you have no creativity, and just cloned the design which makes your website look like it's a copy. You need to have your website stand out with a new creative design that another website doesn't have.

I would suggest to go to themeforest, or find a great free template and apply it to the website other than to copy someone else's design. Also, what would you do if someone cloned your website? Would you file for a DMCA takedown?

8 years ago

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Beverly

Beverly

Sounds a lot like scraping to me. And, not sure if that is illegal (though pretty sure it is) but it's not something i would do as I like for my content to be mine and don't want to duplicate anyone else. If only, because I like to be an original.

Now that's not saying I would not take inspiration from another person's theme or allow how they've laid out their site to inspire me in a good direction. But the end result would be mine. And, possibly you meant something else, but copying is copying. Also, to some greater degree, I think it's a moot point these days.

The 'kids' nowadays have it so easy in creating websites and blogs by comparison to 12 years ago when I started online. Even then, some forward thinking hosts had simple website creators, some basic templates, etc. And, as I went along, I learned what I could about HTML and creating my own graphics and eventually designed my own site(s) for my purposes. And, I never had to copy anyone. Now, they have drag and drop website creators and even hiring someone to do the job is just really cheap. It's not like the good ol' days where you are having to hand code everything. Now, I'm not saying you can get a really super high quality website or ecommerce for free or nothing or from one of these JimDo/Wix sites. But there are some cool shopmaker type sites out there where you can get a fully functional ecommerce site hosted for $25 or so and that would be more than enough for small entrepreneurs to get started. A lot of options, other than just scraping someone else's site/theme/content. And, in the end, you don't have to worry about building up your business and then having it brought down by a lawsuit over copyright infringement claims.

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

I personally wouldn't do it. It just doesn't feel right to me.

A successful website has had other people put their blood, sweat and tears into it and to then come along and just clone it to try and make yourself a success isn't right.

Yes I know a lot of people don't have money or the know how to create their own website but there are ways to learn and to get started if you really want to.

Where there is a will there is a way and the more effort you put in the more original and creative your idea is the better your chances of success.

Just my thoughts.

8 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Totally agree with this statement:

Where there is a will there is a way and the more effort you put in the more original and creative your idea is the better your chances of success.

This is how I learned to code, I wanted an online text based game, and learned to code! If I never wanted an online text based game, then i would've never learned to code PHP!

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Oohh I'm flattered, I got quoted LOL.

Well done on learning to code. I also learned how to work online because I decided I wanted an online store so I had to figure it all out! And then once i figured that all out I realized it wasn't an online store I wanted, I wanted to do blogging and affiliate marketing so I changed. I think being able to adapt and learn is what makes the difference too.

8 years ago

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danigo

danigo

i never think to copy people works, it is undirectly plagiarisme.
i merely use my own works, but clone site? how can it be?
i never heard it before, can you write more your experience?
it is some good chance to use it well
thanks

8 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

Do any of you use, or have used, a website cloner for your own website or a clients website?

Sure, people do it all the time if you think about it. Most Ecommerce websites look alike and have the same functionalities, does that mean they are clones?

Do you think website cloners are a good or bad thing?

I don't believe in website clones, if nothing is copied directly. If the "idea" is copied and the website looks similar, well that's not a clone in my book.

If you didn't have the money to pay a designer, would you purchase a cloner and clone someone elses website?

Usually, the "clone" versions is pretty different from the original website, different enough not to get in trouble in most of the cases. I believe buying a cloned theme is a good way to start something, see if works and if it does, make it your own by changing your design.

8 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

I have never used a site cloner and I believe it is really bad to use a skite cloner. When you use site cloner to copy the website and customize it a little and make it your own website, you are basically stealing someone's work and giving it a new cover and claiming it as your own. using site cloner is ethically wrong, you are violating copyrights law.

7 years ago

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