Footer links to other owned properties. Bad idea?

[MadeWillis]

I own several niche sites within a single vertical. Each only offers information and products specific to that niche line of products.

Example: site 1 sells widget 1, site 2 sells widget 2, site 3 sells widget 3, etc... (probably 5 or 6 sites total)

All these sites would be considered under the same vertical. My question is should I provide a footer link to each site from each site?

My thoughts:

If someone comes to site 1 looking for widget 1, but decides it's a bit to expensive they may leave. They could ultimately settle for a less costly product from site 2 if I let them know about the site.

Currently none of these site interlink. I don't want Google to think anything sneaky is going on, expecially if I use footer links. There is a legit purpose, but what will Google think? Is there a better way to link these sites for the reasons I mentioned above? All sites have unique IP's, but are hosted on the same server.

Should I create footer links? maybe using logos rather than text?
Should I just create a links page?
Should I do the same thing on every site or should I switch it up?

Thoughts?

[anallawalla]

Google won't think anything of it since you own all the domains, regardless of IP address. Being the same niche, you will get some link juice, but deprecated as it is coming from a footer. The worst you can expect is no link juice.

The sneaky rules come into it if you didn't own the domains, as it looks like a sitewide links purchase.

[potentialgeek]

Footer links got some webmasters (incl. me) hit with 950 penalties. Be very careful about adding new footer links, esp. to sites you own. Sites that already have them may well be fine, but adding new ones could be a ticket to trouble. You can try adding them if you want, but don't be surprised if you get hit.

p/g

[incrediblehelp]

If it makes sense to link to those other websites from an end visitor perspective then Google will be fine with it.

[Shaddows]

If it makes sense to link to those other websites from an end visitor perspective then Google will be fine with it.

You'd hope so, but the algo finds it hard to discern intent. A whole bunch of reciprical interlinks (plural) might indicate spammy manipulation in a good number of cases. Thus, G may assume the worst.

Conversely, highly relavent links, even reciprical links (though small compared to total links), might indicate mutual appreciation for sites, and could good thing algorithmically

[pageoneresults]

Instead of using sitewide footer links, just use one link that links to an internal page that lists the other companies. Link out from that one page instead of from the footer of every page. Funnel the juice to one, let it flow out from there. ;)

[MadeWillis]

Instead of using sitewide footer links, just use one link that links to an internal page that lists the other companies. Link out from that one page instead of from the footer of every page. Funnel the juice to one, let it flow out from there. ;)

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I'm leaning towards creating a new site for the umbrella company and linking to that site rather than each individual site. Alternatively, I may just rel=nofollow the footer links to be sure no penalty occurs. I'm not as concerned with passing link juice as I am just spreading the word about the other sites.