[adrianhoward]

If you squander your lead, yes. If you hang on to it it's worth a lot.

Genuine question - what examples are there outline of large money making businesses online that got there by being the first mover. I can't think of any off the top of my head...

[huhtenberg]

And the answer to that is another question - are you building a large money making business from scratch or an attractive acquisition target?

To each his own, basically. First-to-market advantage, coupled with an innovative, actually useful idea and polished execution is a sure way to build large user following quickly, which is typically one of early-stage startup's top priorities. Large money making comes afterwards and it requires an established business, which is a different context where first to the market advantage is of a lesser importance.