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THanks
Who would want to backlink to a new online store?
Start with DMOZ, Zeal, and Yahoo. Then try directories in your area. I think you'll find a lot if you spend the time looking. Other good choices include the Better Business Bureau, and other online verification sites.
If you truly can't find content on topic, it may not be harder than you think.
Good thread on acquiring links here: They Handy Dandy Linky Getting Guidy [webmasterworld.com]
as an affiliate
DMOZ, Zeal, and Yahoo
That is a basic decision that everyone must ask themselves before they start a new business.
Is it a good idea to open a small hardware store across the street from a Home Depot? It could be if you are selling stuff that they aren't, but in most cases it would be a really bad plan.
I think for small affiliates the way to deal with the big boys is through specialization. For example, you'll get trounced if you take on your local internet supermarket and try to sell a similar range of products. On the other hand, if you specialize in hot sauce and sell 250 different brands of varying potency then you may carve out a market. If there is just one site like that in the world, you become the world's authority on hot sauces.
I have a small site doing well on the first page above other big guys and affiliate sites.
It takes time but not an impossible fight.
On the other hand, if you specialize in hot sauce and sell 250 different brands of varying potency then you may carve out a market.
And if you could get me a couple of cases of Inner Beauty Real Hot Sauce, which seems to have gone out of production, I would promise you at least a PR7.
BigDave (who has been going through SERIOUS withdrawl for the last few months without his Inner Beauty :( )
Yahoo... well, what can I say, they just want your $$
Submitting to other free directories... well, 99.9% of them need you to link back, so you get a backlink that you have to reciprocate.
A few good links from lower ranking sites to your small site with focussed content can put you right up there with the biggies, at least for the targeted keywords that count for you.
You can compete, but don't expect a stampede of traffic without working for it and, above all, being very patient.
I'm not entirely sure these mix.
'as an affiliate'
'DMOZ, Zeal, and Yahoo '
oops... don't know why I missed the first sentence... was looking at 'Who would want to backlink to a new online store?'... assumed was it's own store.
This thread still applies: They Handy Dandy Linky Getting Guidy [webmasterworld.com]
Revamped response:
Your doomed, you'll never make it, give up trying. ;)
Not anymore. Zeal backlinks do show up.
I think for small affiliates the way to deal with the big boys is through specialization. For example, you'll get trounced if you take on your local internet supermarket and try to sell a similar range of products. On the other hand, if you specialize in hot sauce and sell 250 different brands of varying potency then you may carve out a market. If there is just one site like that in the world, you become the world's authority on hot sauces.
Absolutely. Go for the niche(s). Use tools like Wordtracker to find out what people are searching for.
You probably don't have a chance against the big boys targetting "widgets". You might even have a fight with "clockwork widgets", but how about "antique clockwork widgets"?
Are the big boys just stores with no information? If so then perhaps "widget reviews", "widget information" or "widget buying guide" might help. "Widget facts", "widget history" and "widget trivia" might get people into your site. Don't forget a "widget FAQ".
Don't waste your time on a battle you can't win - choose your fights.
Good luck.
In otherwords, research how the product is searched for and include more text with more broad match words. Make your site/page more informative and helpfull.
More content = more potential search phrases that will be picked up. A major keyword often will get only a small percentage of the traffic gained from a collection of obscure search words on your page.
