how to identify good links

those who could be a good source of traffic

[bluecorr]

Hi guys!

I have someone requesting a link exchange. The site has a gray bar but that could mean anything from not being indexed to being banned. But in general how do you identify those sites who are a good source of traffic?

Identifying the PR of a site is much easier but what if I'm not interested in the link exchange for the sake of PR but for the sake of traffic?

The site is related so it's not a case of receiving offtheme traffic.

Thank you

[Monkscuba]

Does it look to you like a good site with information useful to your customers/users of your web site? If so, go for it. If the site provides zero traffic, you can always dump it later. It could be a new site that will grow and you may get traffic later, and even some good old home grown just-like-mama-used-to-make PR.

At this precise moment a grey toolbar means nothing. Google is a bit broken, so your best bet is to go with your gut. Is it a nice web site? Link to it.

[bluecorr]

Thanks Monkscuba for the reply. That's what I was going to do and I know the toolbar is unreliable at the moment to say the least. I was wondering however if there's a method people use to assess the traffic of another site. Do any of you ask your possible linking partner (assuming the site is related and useful to your visitors) "look I've got X monthly visitors how much do you have" or something like that.

Thanks.

[clueless]

We use the alexa toolbar to get a ballpark on potential partners. You do have to take the info with a grain (or more) of salt, and not mind that alexa is following where ever you go.
I have not ever asked a link partner how much traffic they get, but a few have mentioned it spontaneously. I do always ask about traffic and click through rate for any paid listings that I am doing.
No harm in asking.

Clueless