Forum Moderators: martinibuster
As a little background I have a very specifically targeted <snip> website, which has been purely informational for the last six months - I am now going to the next level and hoping to make a little money through affiliate <snip> programs, selling <snip> etc.
Having discovered SEO a week or so ago I'm still very much feeling my way. I have recently set out on a campaign to increase the amount of incoming links. I've been doing this by checking the links to similar sites and emailing reuesting that they add mine. Have also submitted to several directories joeant, gimpsy etc. I have a few basic questions that will help me further determine my strategy.
1. Is an incoming link only better than a reciprocal link - should I aim not to give a link back if possible (e.g. a link from a worldwide travel directory is useful to me but a link from my site serves little purpose for my visitors who are looking for a specific destination.) Are there any drawbacks to linking back other than the fact that it may not be useful for my visitors? What's all this about PR drain?
2. I only have PR4 at the moment - I am primarily aiming to obtain links from sites with higher PR than me. If a site has a lower PR or even no PR at all is a link from that site still beneficial?
3. I previously had links to competitors websites as these were very useful for my visitors but the sites dont link back to me. I have now removed them thinking not only was I contributing to their own PR I was losing vistors too. Right thing to do?
4. Any other general tips and advice?
I intend to read as much as possible here to learn for myself but a helping hand to get me going would be appreciated.
[edited by: paynt at 2:47 am (utc) on Mar. 29, 2003]
[edit reason] sorry, snipping keyword specifics [/edit]
1. There is talk that reciprocals may not count as much. I don't know how true that is. Each link on a page takes an equal share of PR that is given on a page. If you link to an external site on your homepage, that link will drain PR from the links that link to internal pages. The more links on a page the less PR each link gets. This includes internal pages.
2. No links can really hurt you. I would watch out giving and recieving links from sites that break Google's terms of service. That could hurt your site. As far as pages that have less PR still help. By trading links you will be raising their PR. We all started with low PR. I page with a PR of 3 may have a 6 in the next update. Get on theme links that will help your visitors. Don't get to concerned with PR at the expense of hurting your visitors.
3. If it is good for your visitors then don't worry about PR. Ask these sites for links back. I wouldn't remove helpful links only because of PR onless they were spammy.
4. Make sure your links are on theme. Get links that help your visitors and make sure your internal linking strategy doesn't allow PR drain by not linking sites off your homepage or main navigation.
If you haven't already I suggest you read these threads completely.
[webmasterworld.com...]
[webmasterworld.com...]
I try to link to competition only if they are not the big boys of the industry you are in. Cause although it might be good for your page having a link to them, they are the people you eventually want to overthrow. Catch my drift:)
My full strategy concerns using Hubs and Authorities. See wat i am talking about at [webmasterworld.com...] I will only see wat difference this makes after the next dance so heres to hoping. Also for the ultimate inside track to linking come and join us here [webmasterworld.com...] :) Hope it helps you as it has me
Cheers
As for overthrowing the the big boys, thats exactly what I intend to do long term. Having looked at the top two sites for my main keyword it seems to me they have obviously paid very little attention to SEO. The fact that they have both been online for several years against my six months has probably established their position. Since they are PR6 and PR5 respectively I dont feel its an impossible task.
My position in Google for my top keyword was #345 before I started looking at SEO so I'm hoping the work I've done recently will move me up a little in the next update. Top ten, for now anyway, is still some way away but I think I'm getting somewhere.
Thanks again
