Brainstorm with me for a moment.

[Webmeister]

I've been setting up a lot of new sites lately. They consist of five pages of original, relevant content on a brand-new template (unique CSS) with relevant links on every page.

My problem is that these new sites bounce high on the Google SERPS for the first month or two for multiple keywords, and then they drop out of the top 100 altogether.

When I first create these websites, I add them to the link directories on hundreds of blogs and websites on different IP's and owners. This gives each site a good initial ranking boost on Google.

I'm guessing that Google crawls the initial pages and links, and decides that the site is a good one so they boost its ranking. However, after no activity (no new backlinks or new pages) for a few months, Google decides it wasn't really that popular after all.

So here's my question: If I could only do one of these things, which one would increase my Google ranking the most effectively:

1. Add new relevant backlinks pointing to the site on a regular basis.

2. Add pages of unique, relevant content to the website itself.

Thanks for any input!

[HuskyPup]

When I first create these websites, I add them to the link directories on hundreds of blogs and websites on different IP's and owners.

Unnatural immediately comes to mind for me and especially so for new small sites.

Only option two is correct now however you're going to have to get some serious love and affection from Google now after your initial mistakes.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Do you really believe any of these 5 page build'em and forget'em websites actually belong in the top 10?

If not you're asking us to help game Google and that's a self defeating proposition.

not to be harsh but what you describe suggests "working as intended".

[Hannahness]

not to be harsh but what you describe suggests "working as intended".

Amen to that.

[mrguy]

You need to do both.

Drip feed the links so they appear more natural, and add new content on a regular basis.

If you just stick with 5 pages and the initial links, they may rank at first, but as you have seen it won't last.

[martinibuster]

Vary the kinds of links you obtain. In order to obtain more and better links, in general, you will have to expand the content. If this is a squeeze page type site then most of the advice above is not really applicable. Your situation is different.

[Yellow_Sun]

I agree with Sgt_Kickaxe and mrguy.

Not sure if they should be in the top 10, and the rankings won't last without new links and content pages, yo-yo effect always in the initial stage.

However, to answer your question, quality links I believe are more valuable than new content. Also, I think adding to link directories isn't the way to go either, I was once told quality over quantity. ;)

[Webmeister]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Advice taken.

[projectmanuk]

It is not because initially Google thinks these sites are worth boosting rankings, it is only because these sites are new and Google generally put new sites higher up for a period of time which some people call Google Honeymoon. Basically the rankings that your sites get after the period are where they really belong, before you start to improve their rankings. Don't mistakenly believe that the initial good rankings are due to your SEO activities of directory submission or article submissions.

[suratmedia]

Google needs around 180-270 days to estimate your website's stable positions, link juice, keyword density throughout the site/incoming links regardless of website software (i.e blog-forum ping/static-dynamic cms)

[networkliquidators]

Also, as Google is an intention engine more than ever, ask yourself, "Is this useful for a user and is there any activity on the page can participate in to keep them on the site longer?"

Not to mention, the type of sites you are making (blog, forums, informational site, ecommerce, etc...) The type of sites you are creating better be more valuable than the competition surronding yours. Google your main terms and see what type of sites are most served as this will give you insight in how Google interprets the query with intention.

[theseoguys]

Anything can be in the top ten, whether it be a one page article or a 5 page site. If you are putting as much work into your SEO as your 5 page site, then you do not belong in the top 10 regardless of what your site is about.