Interlinking Related Domains

[lty83]

Hello,

I am launching two new websites which compliment my existing site.

I own three sites, for example...
Widget Tips ( existing site )
Widget Directory ( launching soon )
Widget Association ( launching soon )

WidgetTips.com is already launched - it is basically informational - forum, blogs, tips, etc.

I am launching WidgetDirectory.com - which will be a directory related to all the "widgets" suppliers, information sites, associations, events etc etc on the web and off the web, as well as a B2C widget shopping comparison engine..

After that I plan on launching WidgetAssociation.com - which I hope to establish an assocation which will be paid widget related ebooks, instructional vids, etc etc.

Here is my question... I plan on tightly interlinking and integrating the three sites. They will all have 100% unique content, however will reference eachother via contexual links, providing a better experience for the user as it will deliver them the exact widget content they are searching for..

1) Will google lower my ranking based upon the interlinking of the domains?

I'd rather not keep all the content on one site as I believe its just to much especially considering each site will contain its own widget theme and information.

[tedster]

I've got several sites that do this kind of cross-linking for visitors and they certainly aren't penalized -- although I do suspect that the cross-linking isn't passing along as much juice as it used to. I've also known people who have added cross-linking to their established sites and then seen their rankings fall way down.

For me the message is if you're going to cross-link domains, then:

1) do it for your users, not for Google
2) do it right at launch

[edited by: tedster at 9:20 pm (utc) on Aug. 6, 2007]

[lty83]

Thanks Ted - I plan on launching each site seperate of one another - however upon launch they will be cross linked - no waiting, i want them to benefit from one another.

Thanks again

Loren

[tedster]

Beware of creating a footprint that looks like you're building a network just to send PR power to spam. Getting some obviously independent inbound links right after launch is a help in that direction.

[lty83]

Yea definately, I'm not doing it all for the PR - of course a little PR from relevant content isn't something i'm trying to avoid, however, my main goal is to keep my bounce rate low and build a nice community that offers almost everything possible regarding my "widget" related sites