Do I really need inbound links?

[timycsr]

One of my sites is basically a directory. It has a lot of outbound links to schools, software companies, agencies...etc. It is exclusively for a certain field only.

Since it is more of a directory, do I really need a bunch of sites to link to it?

Teoma told me to stay in the field only and not get links from outside the field in order to move up. The problem is that there are not a lot of sites that even have a place for them to link the site.

What to do now?

[coconutz]

>> The problem is that there are not a lot of sites that even have a place for them to link the site.

Every site has a place to link to you. Getting them to provide the link is the challenge.

Do you utilize a form for someone to submit a link to your directory? Ask for a link back to the directory and provide the code with your preferred anchor text above the submit button, and once again on the confirmation page.

Consider providing a small "We're listed in" or "Listed in" graphic that links back to your directory.

Some directories mandate that you link back to them in order to be listed.

>>Teoma told me to stay in the field only and not get links from outside the field in order to move up.

I have one link from "outside the field" that provides more traffic than Teoma/Ask Jeeves. ;)

I'm sure there will be more suggestions. Be sure to check the Link Development Library [webmasterworld.com] for some excellent discussions on obtaining links.