Whats the best method of linking?

quick question that i really need help on

[Nik21]

i understand linking (links to quality, RELATED sites) is really important, but whats the best way of putting on my website?

1. should i have a links page where i just list them?
2. should i put link text to a certain website as in "another great source of web hosting is www.thewebsitesnamehere.com"?

whats more important:
1. me linking to them (a realated and quality site)
2. or them linking to me

also...do i need there permission to put up a link from my site to theres?

any information and advice u can give will be greatly appreciated

[Nick_W]

AFAIK there is no value for you in you linking to them other than adding quality and authority to your copy. In fact, linking outside your site can weaken your overall site PR. But that's another thread...

Put the links wherever it make sense.

Yes, them linking to you is more important from a PR point of view, and if the link text includes your keywords then even better...

No, you don't need their permission.

Nick

[paynt]

There are actually several ways to work outgoing links into a site and each offer costs/benefits, which need consideration before making these decisions.

quality and authority to your copy - Nick_W

That’s a perfect example Nick and one of the reasons I opt to weave my outgoing linking throughout a site and limit my serious recommendations to a recommendation page.

Nik21, there are some great posts on ‘authority’ if you run a site search you’ll find them.

I believe though that it is important to include outgoing links for specific reasons which revolve around not creating dead ends particularly. A good site ‘participates’ in the web experience. External linking can also help build relationships with other sites and businesses which open the opportunity for networking.

No, you don't need their permission.

We have discussed legal international issues in Ruling Handed Down in Danish Deep Linking Case [webmasterworld.com].