Question About Seo

I dont think you'd class this as blackhat but if it is i do apologise and if i mod could move it that would be great!

I'm currently in the process of making a website, well just started yesterday lol. And i thought what if i just copied the source code from my competitions website and just change it to what i want? So I have a decent layout.

The question is will would it effect me trying rank in google? Or wouldnt google just not care? or notice? If anyone could help me that'd be great.

I think it's ok... if you change the content.
Imagine the numbers of websites using common templates in the web (WordPress, Blogspot,etc...), most templates are not unique.

Chances are that you can do a better job from the design and seo point of view over your competition, google silo structures. The other benefit is your competitors wont have something on you.

There's so many variables that go into being in the number 1-10 spot in the SERPS but it would be a start. But then you have to get all the backlinks that he has, and you would certainly have to change the content around some. And then the keyword density is a factor, as well as the keywords in the domain name and the age of the domain itself.

As I said, it would be a start but other "work" would need to be done to expect the same results.

Haha - I think that's funny - just copy your competitor.
I'm not saying its wrong or anything - just made me laugh the way you put it.

At least you're doing something - jumping in there and doing something is the key to success.