Forum Moderators: martinibuster
This is my first post, although I've been 'around' for a while.
I have a site in the "widget" field, and have been offered a link on a "widget-related" PR7 site for $75, or a PR8 for $375. When I asked the the person I am dealing with ( a middle man, obviously) for URLs to check out, he came back with "We have an agreement with out webmasters not to reveal their URL s until we’ve posted a customer’s links".
My questions are - is this common practise re. the URLs, do the prices sound reasonable, or should I ignore the whole thing? I am aware that a URL with many outgoing links, or that has boosted its' PR via a 'bad neighborhood' would be useless or even detrimental to me.
Thanks for any comments.
Primum
[edited by: martinibuster at 1:58 pm (utc) on June 28, 2004]
[edit reason] widgetized. [/edit]
So I'd have to change my question to:
If it IS a legitimate deal on an on-topic site with lowish outgoing links and no 'bad neighborhood' issues, is $75 worth it for a PR7, and $375 for a PR8?
Less than it used to be! But, it does still have value.
For me a link that guarantees:
PR9: $100K per month
PR8: $40K per month
PR7: $20K per month
PR6: $1K per month
Below those numbers we are in the reciprocal link syndrome that doesn't have much financial value.
Those that can deliver should be willing to let you see. If they want to keep it hidden I would be very skeptical!
Definitely a scam.
Percentages - are you seriously offering $1k/month for a link which guarantees a page a PR6? And $20k a month for a PR7?
Not sure I follow your prices.
But if that's right, I want to do business with you!
TJ
If they're monthly prices then the PR7 is about right and the PR8 a little high I suspect (not that I'd know of course ;)).
I wouldn't condemn it out of hand as a scam. I have it on the best authority that it really isn't unusual to not know the URL until you've done the deal ;)
Ross
And if I don't pay until after I'm listed - is there anything to lose (famous last words?)
Here's a <paraphrase> from an email I received from them re. why they wouldn't show me the URLs:
"<...The information is kept private in order to protect our partner websites from being penalized by Google.>"
What do you make of that?
[edited by: martinibuster at 3:28 pm (utc) on June 29, 2004]
[edit reason] Please do not quote from private emails. Thanks. [/edit]
How about this one:
I'll sell you a cake - I'll tell you where it is only after you give me the money... If you must buy links at least know where you're buying it.
[edited by: edit_g at 11:54 am (utc) on June 29, 2004]
So what’s the difference between these people and the others doing it? i mean Google penalize them...
RJ
[edited by: martinibuster at 3:43 pm (utc) on June 29, 2004]
[edit reason] edited for specifics. [/edit]
Some things to keep in mind:
Specifics
It's important to not post specifics.
Self promotion
It's important to NOT promote or offer to sell anything on WebmasterWorld. Posts about buying links can lead to self-promotion in the same way that posts about Web Hosting do. For that reason, posts about specific Web Hosts are no longer allowed.
Please don't ruin the discussion for others by inviting others to sticky you for more information- whether you are intentionally or unintentionally promoting a link sale, it can have that effect. It can also have the effect of encouraging others to jump in and promote their services in that manner.
Don't pay until you get the PR boost from that link ;)
I agree. If what you're buying is PR and not traffic.
What happens if that PR is subsequently nullified by Google? A pro-rata refund?
TJ
It's important that you consider this scenario:
You have a link on this site. Would you want every single person that the link broker contacted (or vice-versa) to be given the URL for inspection? Or, would you prefer that only those that had a link there were privy to the knowledge?
Obviously it's not an absolute failsafe, I'm sure the G could afford to use a click or two of Mesothelioma money to pay and inspect but it's safer than offering a free look. You'll find that this is fairly common practice.
If you want to avoid that, just go searching some high PR semi-spammy sites' backlinks and you'll find some PR seller eventually. Then just contact them.
Or convince Percentages to give me 20k to make his site PR7 and I'll give you some free PR7 links. :-)
(I am, of course, kidding, I am not that mean :)
And yes, it is common not to show PR pages before paying. However, it's only best to do that kinda business with throwaway domains.
Quoted: For me a link that guarantees:
PR9: $100K per month
PR8: $40K per month
PR7: $20K per month
PR6: $1K per month
To me, in my field, these are numbers I would pay for the resultant PR.
It will depend on your category, but I can make very good profits on sites that achieve the higher PR scales.
PR has been down valued at Google, but to get top positions for very common search terms you still need good PR, and therefore value is still associated with it.
If you deal in the big money categories you still need PR to capture the most popular terms. Generating high PR in these areas is tricky as it is very competitive and by nature people will not want to provide cross links from high PR pages.
I can generate PR7 sites with a lot of effort, but I really need PR8 sites to kill the competition........and doing that is close to impossible outside of buying links(PR).
What's the usual life-span of a high PR site that links to you? (meaning how long before it gets banned)
I assume your industry is ultra competitive and any high PR sites showing in your backlinks probably gets submitted via spam report with an unusually high frequency.
Cheers,
CaboWabo
