One of the things I have wondered about is who owns an idea - the first who thinks up of it or the first who implments it?

 I’m sure the Patent lawyers have that answer- but I’m not sure it’s the only correct answer.

For example, I have had an idea for over a year for one of my SEO clients to put in place a cost to build search engine on their site.  Right now, they have finally put in place  Cost to Build information for every house plan on the site based on 2005 Census data.

My client is not sure if there’d be a problem with providing a true Cost to Build Search engine - all the while one of their less obvious competitors already built one!

Searching in my zipcode, 11218, for plans that would fit a made up budget (I don’t have this money to spend right now…wish I did) here’s what I could build:

PLAN # 850-007D-0067 1,761 square feet 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, $231,752 Estimated Cost 100% Match Add to My Favorites >> Compare This Plan

PLAN # 850-035D-0028 1,779 square feet 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, $258,278 Estimated Cost 100% Match Add to My Favorites >> Compare This Plan

PLAN # 850-053D-0058 1,818 square feet 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, $228,349 Estimated Cost 100% Match Add to My Favorites >> Compare This Plan

There were actually 262 results - and I think that probably would have helped people who are really ready to build - to know what they can build, realistically (but without legal problems as much of what it actually costs to build is a result of decisions and vendors that a home builder chooses - and the cost of the land to build on is not included in the sticker cost (nor are the taxes and development fees, zoning fees, etc).

This was my idea, more than a year ago, but I don’t own it.  Yet this is exactly the kind of usability that is needed for my client(s) who deal with this kind of product.  It’s not search traffic that’s really the issue - it’s what happens when you get to the site - and what quality the visitor sees in your site.