Linking (without the other place linking back)

Is it worth it?

[princess]

Does it help your site if you link to another (good) site, but they don't link back to you? (Just curious...

[andreasfriedrich]

If it helps your visitors it will eventually help your site.

Andreas

[princess]

ok...what is a good way to ask for a reciprocal link?

[sun818]

Hi princess :) I think it is a benefit to your users. Would be better to get the reciprocal link, but I don't let that stop me from linking to them if they are a good resource.

[pendanticist]

ok...what is a good way to ask for a reciprocal link?

I think the jury is still out on that one, princess.

One might ask, what kind of site do you have?

Mine is a directory/portal, of sorts. Purely altruisitic mind you, but considered a directory/portal nonetheless. I have roughly 5,000 outbound links and enough quality inbounds to keep me at PR6.

Once I've listed a site I go back six, maybe seven months later and 'submit my site' (e-mail has my URL and sig in it). Normally, once they've seen the magnitude of my domain, the inclusionary request is immediate.

That still leaves your question: How?

Write 'em a short, concise request for inclusion without the mention of reciprocity as it eliminates all PR associative pressures, allowing your request to be considered on it's own merits. Me thinks me does better thatta way :) Naturally, your site may not hold to this value.

Also, the least amount of 'Links' a site has, the better your chances are of becoming listed with them.

Many webmasters could care less about PR, although not those who walk the halls here at WebmasterWorld. To those who garner income - life beginning and ending w/PR is quite understandable.

Forget (for the moment) whatever benefits PR may seem to bring you and devote your time to meticulously and individually adding your site to those who share a commonality with yours.

That's the way I see it....

Pendanticist.

[princess]

Ok. That makes more sense. Thanks!

[coconutz]

>>ok...what is a good way to ask for a reciprocal link?

pendanticist offers some good tips and here are a few discussions on reciprocal linking. There are some others that can be found using the Site Search [searchengineworld.com]

Prompting sites to reciprocate links [webmasterworld.com]

Linking – What’s the big deal? [webmasterworld.com]

Hunting for Links: Do you use template emails [webmasterworld.com]

Hope these help you out.

[KevinC]

I once heard someone state on another board that every link going away from your site is a like a bucket with holes in it. Every out going link is like another hole in the bucket. Except the bucket is full of PR not water. I don't think it is as black and white as this, but something I rarely hear talked about.

[princess]

KevinC: How is an outgoing link like a hole in the bucket. Isn't it providing your clients with helpful information, therefore increasing your website's...helpfulness (for lack of a better word.)