Competing SEO clients - do you take them??

I just got an inquiry about doing SEO on a site that is in same business and same local/regional market as a current SEO client. Would be targeting all the same keywords.

Those who do SEO for others tell me, do you take competitors as clients? It may be a case by case thing but what are some of the reasons why you would or would not take on a client who is a direct competitor to a current client.

 

Why wouldn't you take competing clients? There are TOP 10 places in Google

p.l.u.r.

 

Good Point!

 

But if your client wants to be number one... you have a problem

p.l.u.r.

 

I guess that would come down to who wants to pay the most

 

We have non-competition agreements in our contracts (for the duration of our services being retained)

So I could not do such....

 

So when you do get a request, do you just ignore it (dont reply) or simply tell them sorry you cant work for them because you currently have a competing client.

 

You should ask the first client if they care, maybe it could save them some cash. Otherwise you shouldn't...

 

Well I usually send them to one of the other trusted SEO providers I know.

I still respect anyone that contacts me and try to get them taken care of where possible.