You can tell a site's motive for accepting links

What can you tell by a "submit link" page?

[Sebastian]

Many sites have a "submit url" page attached to their links page - the way of having your site added to their links page.

But, have you ever noticed that the motive for WHY the webmaster is accepting link submissions is often extremely transparent?

Generally, I can tell by the order in which they ask you to supply your details.

For example, if I were submit a link, I'd first want to state what my URL and site name was, then description, etc...

However, some sites START OFF with 1) email address 2) name ... and then, sure enough, hidden away down the bottom is the "[] add me to your newsletter" line. Hmmm. Well that was pretty obvious.

Another site I saw today made a HUGE fuss about how you had to add his site list to your web site before you even bothered to submit your link to his. Fair enough. But do you know what the FIRST question he asked was? "URL of where I'm listed on your site:". Bingo. We all know why he's getting you to submit your link.

Does anyone else find that the order in which questions are asked in a "submit your url" form virtually always gives away why a webmaster has put their form there?

[Axacta]

I am fortunate that my site topic includes many directories willing to list sites. I agree with what you have observed, but none of it particularly bothers me. I always uncheck their news e-mails, except on the rare occasion that I think it might be interesting. Some demand reciprocal links, and some want money to list a site. So far none of these money sites have offered enough PR for me to pay. (The last one I remember was $299 for a PR4 listing.) Sometimes I get a little irritated when you first have to become a member of their site, and they ask a lot of intrusive questions, but the if PR is good I grit my teeth and do it.

All in all these directories have provided me 68 listings, and 32 with PR4 or better, without having to provide any reciprocal links. It's a pretty good deal even with having to put up with some of their shenanigans, especially since you get to provide your own link and title text and descriptions.

[nym_fan]

Sebastian:

You have a made a very good observation-never really thought about the order of the questions. What I look at is the links page itself.

I get many requests for link exchanges and I look at most that come but I want to see where the links page is in their website. Is it buried way inside? Do they link to it from their home page? How easy could I find it if I just showed up to the website?

I think if someone wants to exchange links with other related sites they would advertise the fact they do and make it easy for visitors to find it. I have seem many sites that have their links page hidden away and that makes me wonder why.

[pageoneresults]

Just the word Links Page may degrade the overall impression. I like to refer to it as a Resources Page, because thats exactly what it is, a listing of resources.

If you really want to attract quality resources, set up a really nice Resources Page and include a hyperlinked title and description for the link. And, to take it one step further, give them some branding space. Grab their Logo, tagline, whatever it may be and put an image there next to their listing.

The title of this thread is appropriate, you can definitely tell a sites motive for accepting links! ;)

<edit> Also, keep in mind that you could possibly provide links to them from other areas of your site and they could in turn do the same. Its about relevancy. If their link is placed strategically on your site and vice versa, then you've really mastered the art of proper off site linking.

[mack]

I run a directory and the only way I ask for a link is a simple request in the confirmation email. Dont think I can see the logic of requiring a link. The aim of a directory is to provide content, the faster you build your directory the better and the more listings you have the better . requiring a link would only slow the process down. You will probaly have more sucess with a polite request that a link to us rule.

[nym_fan]

"I like to refer to it as a Resources Page, because thats exactly what it is, a listing of resources."--I agree 100%, plus I call mine a resource section also..

"Also, keep in mind that you could possibly provide links to them from other areas of your site and they could in turn do the same. Its about relevancy."---again I agree 100% I have done this also.

[Woz]

But do you know what the FIRST question he asked was? "URL of where I'm listed on your site:". Bingo. We all know why he's getting you to submit your link.

And then the question "Were are you listed? ODP? Y? G? AV? etc

It seems that for some directories not only is a pre-link-back required (or should that be forelink??) but also a qualified one with good listings. Even more evidence for their real motive for having a directory. Gives me the irrits sometimes.

I am afraid I work on the "pass it on" principle. You pass links to others because of their content and different others will give you links because of your content.

<calming down>

Onya
Woz

[jdMorgan]

Three Cheers for Woz!

Nice to hear that "pass it on" isn't a totally dead mindset...

Jim